George Harrison Cloud Nine by: Mark Simms Mon:20-Aug-07 Label: Dark Horse Year: 1987 WB rating 91 out of 100

Every so often, time away from something that one has done continuously for most of their life can be a positive thing, a rest and break that helps reinvigorate their passion – reminding them just exactly why it was that they got into it in the first place.

It has been five long years since George Harrison released his last album, Gone Troppo, and on Cloud Nine, his ninth solo album, Harrison exudes enthusiasm rarely sensed; each track encrusted in zeal, rekindling Harrison’s passion to create music. Indicative of the good time feel that dominates most of the album Harrison assembled a team of friends to accompany him including co-producer Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Ringo Starr, Jim Keltner, and Gary Wright, each distinct personality seamlessly integrated into the record’s affirmative vision.

Title track ‘Cloud Nine’ begins rich with the intermingling of electric guitars, Clapton’s unique style shining out and uniting with Harrison’s musical artistry. It’s steady in pace, and rich in layers of guitar and sax, Harrison leading, his voice confident and hypnotic. Sounding as if in his element and singing from a positive place, Harrison’s musical ability, along with Lynne’s faultless production and the wizardry of Clapton, make good on the album’s promise to transport listeners skyward. It’s a perfect opening track, succeeding in all areas and setting up the album to follow.

With ‘If That’s What It Takes’ Harrison continues the positive vibe, the song soon giving way to a highly infectious, sing-along chorus. On this chorus Harrison is aided by back-up vocals that provide dynamic contrast and add fire to his message: “If that’s what it takes then I gotta be strong/Don’t wanna be wrong if that’s what it takes/The closer I get into that open door/I gotta be sure if that’s what it takes.”

One of the strengths of Cloud Nine is undoubtedly its variation, as ‘Just For Today’ transforms the record’s mood dramatically, surrendering to a much slower pace. Harrison opens backed solely by pensive piano, his voice taking on a contemplative tone to match his bare-faced lyricism: “If just for one night I could feel not sad and lonely/Not be my own life’s problem/Just for one night.” It’s a moving track that shows Harrison in a different, vulnerable, light. It is here that Cloud Nine first shows itself as an unpredictable, versatile album in not only instrumentation, but also in emotion.

‘This Is Love’ reverts to the more invigorated side that is the record’s heart, wasting little time in establishing an upbeat mood: “Since our problems have been our own creation/they also can be overcome.” It’s a transmittable track, rich in guitars, swirling synth, and a melody that continues to build more and more towards the end. ‘When We Was Fab’ is Harrison’s tribute to The Beatles; an imaginative track unique to the others, layered with soft violins and a gathering of other musical thingamajigs (including Cello and Sitar); the combination a genuinely bracing listen.

Other highlights include ‘Devil’s Radio’, where Harrison critiques the proliferation of mass media and television: “It’s all across our lives/Like a weed it’s spread/’Till nothing else has space to grow/The devil’s radio”, and the playful, bluesy ‘Wreck Of The Hesperus’ with its boogie piano and the scene-stealing guitar of Clapton. However final track ‘Got My Mind Set On You’ may be the album’s crowning moment. Written by Rudy Clark in the ‘50s, it’s a cover song that Harrison makes his own and while it’s simple on lyrics, it’s an immensely likable song – a poppy, catchy, straightforward mix, not meant to be taken too seriously, reinforcing the positive state of the album and seemingly Harrison’s mindset.

Yes, George Harrison was once a Beatle. And yes, he has missed the mark many times in his previous albums (arguably all except 1970’s impressive All Things Must Pass). But here Harrison delivers in a way many had not expected. He has held nothing back, throwing all out in the open, abandoning self consciousness and having a blast doing so. With Cloud Nine Harrison has created a forever infectious, highly uplifting album, delicately constructed and considered, drenched with passion.