What ELO's Jeff Lynne Really Thought of George Harrison's Slide-Guitar Skills
A new video featurette has been posted on the late George Harrison’s social media pages featuring audio commentary from Harrison’s Traveling Wilburys bandmate—and Electric Light Orchestra frontman—Jeff Lynne about George’s guitar talents.
In the clip, Lynne shares his respect for Harrison’s slide-guitar skills. The video also features archival photos and film footage of the ex-Beatles legend playing guitar.
“I think George is the best slide player that I’ve ever heard,” Lynne says. “He’s so accurate on it, and he makes it sing, and he makes it cry, and he makes it do anything, really.”
Adds Jeff, “And he can hold out a pure note with just beautiful vibrato that is so even. And it’s that style, it’s the melodic aspect of it, but it’s also … soulful, bluesy. He can do it all.”
The video is accompanied by a segment of the 2024 mix of Harrison’s chart-topping 1973 solo tune “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth).” George’s slide playing is a highlight of the tune, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1973.
The updated mix of the track appears on the recently released 50th anniversary reissue of George’s 1973 studio album, Living in the Material World.
Lynne first worked with Harrison on George’s 1987 solo album Cloud Nine. The collaboration came about after Dave Edmunds, whose 1983 album was co-produced by Lynne, told Jeff that Harrison was interested in working with him.
Lynne wound up co-producing Cloud Nine with Harrison and co-writing several of the album’s songs, including the hit Beatles tribute tune “When We Was Fab.” Jeff subsequently co-produced Tom Petty’s 1989 debut solo album, Full Moon Fever, which featured guest appearances by Harrison and Roy Orbison.
Source: Matt Friedlander/americansongwriter.com
