As the studio follow-up to his landmark triple album All Things Must Pass, George Harrison further explored his spiritual and physical selves on 1973's leaner Living in the Material World. On November 15, the album will return from Dark Horse and BMG in a belated 50th anniversary edition comprising 2 CDs, 2 LPs, and a Blu-ray. It's limited to 5,000 units worldwide. The original album, newly remixed by Paul Hicks, will also be available in 2LP & 2CD Deluxe Editions, Limited Edition color vinyl versions (including an exclusive George Harrison Online Store purple vinyl LP), 1LP and 1CD standard versions, and digital/streaming.
A mere two days after its release on May 30, 1973, Living in the Material World was certified Gold. (It reached No. 1 in the U.S. in No. 2 in the U.K., held off in Harrison's own country by the soundtrack to That'll Be the Day. The movie featured Ringo Starr in a leading role.) Somewhat eschewing the grandeur of its predecessor to reflect the lyrics' rawer sensibilities, a smaller group of musicians was enlisted, including Nicky Hopkins, Gary Wright, Klaus Voormann, and Jim Keltner. Ringo Starr, classical pianist John Barham (who arranged for orchestra and choir), and tabla great Zakir Hussain also appeared. Most of the material was fresh, save for "Try Some, Buy Some" which Harrison reprised from a 1970 single he wrote and co-produced for Ronnie Spector. Most of Harrison's compositions were spiritual in nature: "Try Some, Buy Some," "The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord)," the title track, "The Light That Has Lighted the World," and "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)," the latter of which became an international hit and U.S. chart-topper. The concerns of the material world were at hand on "Sue Me, Sue You Blues," inspired by The Beatles' legal struggles and first recorded by Jesse Ed Davis in 1972. "That Is All" and "Don't Let Me Wait Too Long" could be read in both secular and spiritual contexts.
The 2006 reissue added audio bonus tracks of "Miss O'Dell" and the "Bangla Desh" B-side "Deep Blue," as well as a DVD with material including a live "Give Me Love," an alternate take of "Miss O'Dell," and a demo of "Sue Me, Sue You Blues."
The upcoming "50th anniversary" editions are built around longtime Beatles associate Paul Hicks' new remix of the original album. The second CD and LPs feature a previously unreleased alternate version of every song on the album as well as a new mix of B-side "Miss O'Dell" (inspired by former Apple employee Chris O'Dell) and the outtake "Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond)" featuring members of The Band (Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, and Rick Danko) and Ringo Starr. The Super Deluxe Edition's Blu-ray contains a Dolby Atmos mix of every track. This lavish set also includes a 60-page booklet with new liner notes, artwork, and photos.
All editions of Living in the Material World are due on November 15, and the newly-mixed Take 18 Acoustic Version of "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" is currently streaming. You'll find the track listing and pre-order links below!
George Harrison, Living in the Material World: 50th Anniversary (Dark Horse/BMG, 2024)
2CD/2LP/1BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Original Album (Apple Records SMAS-3410 (U.S.), 1973)
- Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) (2024 Mix)
- Sue Me, Sue You Blues (2024 Mix)
- The Light That Has Lighted the World (2024 Mix)
- Don't Let Me Wait Too Long (2024 Mix)
- Who Can See It (2024 Mix)
- Living in the Material World (2024 Mix)
- The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord) (2024 Mix)
- Be Here Now (2024 Mix)
- Try Some Buy Some (2024 Mix)
- The Day the World Gets 'Round (2024 Mix)
- That Is All (2024 Mix)
LP2/CD Disc 2 (all tracks previously unreleased)
- Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) (Take 18; Acoustic Version)
- Sue Me, Sue You Blues (Take 5)
- The Light That Has Lighted the World (Take 13)
- Don't Let Me Wait Too Long (Take 49; Acoustic Version)
- Who Can See It (Take 93)
- Living in the Material World (Take 31)
- The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord) (Take 3)
- Be Here Now (Take 8)
- Try Some Buy Some (Alternative Version)
- The Day the World Gets 'Round (Take 22; Acoustic Version)
- That Is All (Take 24)
- Miss O'Dell (2024 Mix)
- Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond) (*) CD Only
7″ Single
- Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)
- Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond) [Instrumental]
Blu-ray
- Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) (2024 Mix)
- Sue Me, Sue You Blues (2024 Mix)
- The Light That Has Lighted the World (2024 Mix)
- Don't Let Me Wait Too Long (2024 Mix)
- Who Can See It (2024 Mix)
- Living in the Material World (2024 Mix)
- The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord) (2024 Mix)
- Be Here Now (2024 Mix)
- Try Some Buy Some (2024 Mix)
- The Day the World Gets 'Round (2024 Mix)
- That Is All (2024 Mix)
- Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) (Take 18; Acoustic Version)
- Sue Me, Sue You Blues (Take 5)
- The Light That Has Lighted the World (Take 13)
- Don't Let Me Wait Too Long (Take 49; Acoustic Version)
- Who Can See It (Take 93)
- Living in the Material World (Take 31)
- The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord) (Take 3)
- Be Here Now (Take 8)
- Try Some Buy Some (Alternative Version)
- The Day the World Gets 'Round (Take 22; Acoustic Version)
- That Is All (Take 24)
- Miss O'Dell (2024 Mix)
- Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)
Deplorable Mark says
Cash grab! One CD of new material, bloated with ever-so-hip vinyl LPs and a pointless audio DVD. Gotta be a very rich fanatic. Sorry, I don’t live in Pooh Bear’s mansion.
Tom M. says
Agreed. The “deluxe” edition is nearly $175.00. I don’t have that kind of disposable income.
Michael Grabowski says
Living in the Material World indeed!
David Bradley says
It's a shame the only way to get the Blu-Ray is by buying vinyl LPs. Make a super deluxe without the LPs and I'd buy it.
Peter Rustin says
This is ridiculously overpriced. All I want is the 5.1.
zally says
a over priced release for a mediocre lp.. imo no solo lp by any of them was worthy of issue.
Tom M. says
A radical thought, but one I agree with. I have no solo albums of any of them; I just have greatest hits compilations. The solo albums have a lot of filler, something which most of the Beatles’ albums never had.