Prayer, peace, and spirituality are common descriptors of George Harrison’s work after his departure from The Beatles. It’s hard to disagree with that rule of three; it is what All Things Must Pass and Living in the Material World would offer. What gets lost in translation is not the depth of his work but its impact. Materialism is not just the topic of Living in the Material World, but in accepting a link between the next world and this one. If it’s up your street of thinking, then this album will be a treat. For those who aren’t as convinced by spirituality or some great beyond, Living in the Material World is still a delightful listen. It’s an open book, as Harrison often was with his songwriting, and it’s a pleasure to hear. Often, it’s the merit of the music that comes through. But Harrison’s work here is so closely tied with spiritual honesty and a tranquillity which, engaged with even slightly, has real beauty to it.
You don’t have to feel yourself spiritually awakened by Living in the Material World, it’s hardly the album to bring about a change to weariness. But it does offer a chance to connect with Harrison in the months following his All Things Must Pass triumph. Those slide guitar and acoustic efforts, which would become such a dominant part of Harrison’s instrumental style, are there straight away. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) is a tremendous continuation of the heart and soul style he would feature on his previous album. There’s a little flicker of Americana influence, as though Harrison had taken New Morning by Bob Dylan as gospel. Bluesy numbers with acoustic twang and a delicate instrumental style echoing his peers and influences. It comes through on Sue Me, Sue You Blues, a wonderful comment on The Beatles’ lawsuit and break-up. Frequently beautiful, secular or spiritual, it doesn’t matter.
What Harrison captures frequently is a sincerity and joy. The Light That Has Lighted the World is more reliant on his calming vocal work than anything else. Harrison sounds as though he’s thrilled to be pulling from everyone he had been influenced by, from John Lennon to The Beach Boys and the spiritual undertakings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. All of it comes together on Living in the Material World, an instrumentally beautiful and emotionally vibrant piece from Harrison which is on par with All Things Must Pass. How do you rise to the occasion of such a masterstroke? You don’t. You move on, and the listeners who follow are rewarded for their interest. Part of the charm heard on Living in the Material World is the intimacy of close collaboration.
Gone are the wilder arrangements and bigger style, replaced by a desire to deliver the spirit and soulfulness with a handful of recognisable names. Jim Keltner and Ringo Starr feature throughout Living in the Material World, their efforts strong enough to identify them as the players, not strong enough to draw attention away from the meaning. Some truly delightful work can be found throughout, with a beautiful Try Some, Buy Some the real highlight in the album’s latter stages. Truly perfect, as is The Day the World Goes ‘Round, a frankly perfect song which rises and falls with such an emotional intensity. Living in the Material World still has a spiritual power to it which transcends a need to believe. Hearing Harrison’s dedication to the world around him and beyond him is what matters. It’s enough to jolt you awake, not just because of the message, but because of the sharp instrumental quality found throughout.
