Dark Horse is an
albumAn album or record album is a collection of related audio or music tracks distributed to the public. The most common way is through commercial distribution, although smaller artists will often distribute directly to the public by selling their albums at live concerts or on their websites.-...
by
George HarrisonGeorge Harrison MBE was an English rock guitarist, singer-songwriter and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist in The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Indian mysticism, and helped broaden the horizons of the other Beatles, as well as...
, released as the follow-up to
Living in the Material WorldLiving in the Material World is an album by George Harrison and was released in 1973. As a follow-up to 1970's greatly-received All Things Must Pass and his mammoth charity project, The Concert for Bangladesh, Living in the Material World was among the most highly anticipated releases of 1973.Due...
in 1974.
Dark Horse is notable for the well-attended, but ultimately infamous North American tour that supported it, which would turn out to be Harrison's only set of performances there as a solo artist.
1974 saw a separation from first wife
Pattie BoydPatricia Anne "Pattie" Boyd is an English model and photographer, and the former wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton...
, who left Harrison for friend
Eric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE is an English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Yardbirds, of Cream, and as a solo performer, being the only person ever to be inducted three times...
, with the situation later being uncomfortably parodied on
Dark Horse with a cover of "Bye Bye Love".
Dark Horse is an
albumAn album or record album is a collection of related audio or music tracks distributed to the public. The most common way is through commercial distribution, although smaller artists will often distribute directly to the public by selling their albums at live concerts or on their websites.-...
by
George HarrisonGeorge Harrison MBE was an English rock guitarist, singer-songwriter and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist in The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Indian mysticism, and helped broaden the horizons of the other Beatles, as well as...
, released as the follow-up to
Living in the Material WorldLiving in the Material World is an album by George Harrison and was released in 1973. As a follow-up to 1970's greatly-received All Things Must Pass and his mammoth charity project, The Concert for Bangladesh, Living in the Material World was among the most highly anticipated releases of 1973.Due...
in 1974.
Dark Horse is notable for the well-attended, but ultimately infamous North American tour that supported it, which would turn out to be Harrison's only set of performances there as a solo artist.
History
1974 saw a separation from first wife
Pattie BoydPatricia Anne "Pattie" Boyd is an English model and photographer, and the former wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton...
, who left Harrison for friend
Eric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE is an English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Yardbirds, of Cream, and as a solo performer, being the only person ever to be inducted three times...
, with the situation later being uncomfortably parodied on
Dark Horse with a cover of "Bye Bye Love". That year also saw Harrison planning for his future. With a new love interest, Olivia Arias, and with the end of his
Apple RecordsApple Records is a record label founded by The Beatles in 1968, as a division of Apple Corps Ltd. It was initially intended as a creative outlet for the Beatles, both as a group and individually, plus a selection of other artists including Mary Hopkin, James Taylor, Badfinger, and Billy Preston...
contract in sight, he founded
Dark Horse RecordsDark Horse Records is a record label which was controlled by George Harrison from his creation of it in 1974 until his death.-Distribution:Harrison had recorded for the Parlophone and Apple labels under a contract terminated in 1976. All his subsequent recordings were released through Dark Horse...
- initially to be distributed through
A&M RecordsA&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group which operates through the Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
- and spent much of the year signing acts and guiding their development. When his Apple contract finally expired in January 1976, Harrison would move onto the Dark Horse label himself and switch distribution of the label to
Warner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label that operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. It is also affectionately known as Warners or the Bunny, based on the Bugs Bunny cartoons released by Warner Bros. Pictures.-History:...
.
With the impending tour pencilled in for the last two months of the year, Harrison was only able to start recording his own album - which he was also dubbing
Dark Horse - in September, leaving him little time to complete it. Aiding Harrison were
Ringo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE , better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer-songwriter, and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for the rock group The Beatles. When The Beatles formed in 1960, Starr belonged to another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes....
,
Jim KeltnerJim Keltner is a session drummer who has contributed to the work of many well-known artists.-1970s:...
,
Nicky HopkinsNicky Hopkins Nicky Hopkins Nicky Hopkins (born Nicholas Christian Hopkins (February 24, 1944 – September 6, 1994) was an English pianist and organist.He recorded and performed on some of the most important British and American popular music recordings of the 1960s and 1970s, and is widely...
,
Billy PrestonWilliam Everett "Billy" Preston was an American soul musician from Houston, Texas, raised mostly in Los Angeles, California...
and the aforementioned Eric Clapton. The sessions, which were held at his home studio in
Henley-on-ThamesHenley-on-Thames is a town on the north side of the River Thames in south Oxfordshire, England, about 10 miles downstream and north-east from Reading, 10 miles upstream and west from Maidenhead...
, compounded Harrison's unfortunate development of
laryngitisLaryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. It causes hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds . Dysphonia is the medical term for Laryngitis and other vocal disorders....
. When it was time to leave for the US in mid-October to begin rehearsing for the tour - with the album still unfinished - Harrison's voice was completely raw. Ringo Starr confirmed this with Beatlefan Magazine when he stated that Harrison was hoarse before he left England to complete the album and start tour rehearsals.
After quickly recording the title track (a future US Top 20 hit),
Dark Horse was quickly pressed and rushed into shops that December. Although the music was much more uplifting than
Living in the Material WorldLiving in the Material World is an album by George Harrison and was released in 1973. As a follow-up to 1970's greatly-received All Things Must Pass and his mammoth charity project, The Concert for Bangladesh, Living in the Material World was among the most highly anticipated releases of 1973.Due...
s and featured some excellent guitar work, critics soon began calling the album "Dark Hoarse", in reference to Harrison's suffering vocals. With no time to let his throat heal, he performed the entire tour in a sandpaper voice, much to the disapproval of reviewers and fans. The negative press Harrison received also stemmed from his unpopular decision to include an
Indian musicIndian music may refer to:*Music of India*Music of South Asia, the music of the Indian subcontinent*Native American music*Music of Central America, and in particular, of its indigenous peoples...
portion to the concert, as well as performing
The BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960 who became one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music...
' "In My Life" with philosophically-modified lyrics. After the tour's conclusion, Harrison was so averse to touring that he would hardly ever appear live again, save for a brief Japanese tour in 1991 at Clapton's insistence.
Surprisingly, Dark Horse
failed to chart at all in the UK, while it reached #4 in the US during a brief chart stay, going gold.
In 1992, Dark Horse
was remastered for CD release.
Track listing
All songs by George HarrisonGeorge Harrison MBE was an English rock guitarist, singer-songwriter and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist in The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Indian mysticism, and helped broaden the horizons of the other Beatles, as well as...
, except where noted.
- "Hari's On Tour (Express)" – 4:43
- "Simply Shady" – 4:38
- "So Sad" – 5:00
A song originally recorded as "So Sad (No Love of His Own)" by
Alvin LeeAlvin Lee is an English rock guitarist and singer. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, and with Leo Lyons formed the core of the band Ten Years After in 1960...
&
Mylon LeFevreMylon LeFevre is the former Christian rock singer of the Grammy Award-winning band Mylon and Broken Heart and a Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame member. He currently travels around the United States, ministering, teaching and singing...
on their
On the Road to FreedomOn the Road to Freedom is the 1973 album by Alvin Lee and Mylon LeFevre. Guest musicians include George Harrison, Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Mick Fleetwood, and Ron Wood...
album from 1973 - featuring George on slide guitar
Iain MatthewsIain Matthews is an English musician and songwriter. He was born Iain Matthew McDonald, in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire...
also recorded a demo version of this song in 1974, but it wasn't released until "Orphans & Outcasts, Vol. 1: Collection Of Demos, 1969-1979" album in 1993
"Bye Bye, Love"Bye Bye Love" is a popular song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and published in 1957. It is best known in a debut recording by The Everly Brothers, issued by Cadence Records as catalog number 1315. The song reached #2 on the US Billboard Pop charts and #1 on the Cash Box Best Selling...
" (Felice Bryant, Boudleaux Bryant, George Harrison) – 4:08
A wry cover of
The Everly BrothersThe Everly Brothers are brothers and country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing. The Everlys are the most successful U.S...
' 1957 hit with modified parody lyrics by Harrison, in reference to first wife
Pattie BoydPatricia Anne "Pattie" Boyd is an English model and photographer, and the former wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton...
's union with friend
Eric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE is an English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Yardbirds, of Cream, and as a solo performer, being the only person ever to be inducted three times...
. Rumours circulated that Clapton himself appeared on guitar with Boyd on backing vocals, but they were unfounded.
"Māya Love" – 4:24
"Ding Dong, Ding Dong"Ding Dong, Ding Dong" is a song by George Harrison, released December 6, 1974 on Apple Records.-Background:"Ding Dong, Ding Dong" was George Harrison's holiday song for New Year's Day. The song was a modest hit when it was released , and continues to get airplay during the Christmas season...
" – 3:40
Harrison's New Year's song, released as a single
"Dark Horse"Dark Horse" is the title track to George Harrison's 1974 album Dark Horse, and later the name of his record label Dark Horse Records.-Background:...
" – 3:54
"Far East Man"Far East Man" is a song written by George Harrison and Ronnie Wood in 1974, recorded by Harrison for his 1974 album Dark Horse, and by Wood for his 1974 album, I've Got My Own Album to Do...
" (George Harrison, Ronnie Wood) – 5:52
Co-writer Ronnie Wood's version of "Far East Man" appears on his 1974 debut album
I've Got My Own Album to DoI've Got My Own Album to Do is the first solo album of Ron Wood. It reached #27 on UK's New Musical Express chart.The title was a dig at Rod Stewart as he was more focused with his solo albums thanwith The Faces.-Track listing:...
"It Is "He" (Jai Sri KrishnaKrishna is a deity worshipped across many traditions in Hinduism in a variety of perspectives...
)" – 4:50
Personnel
- George Harrison - vocals, guitar, bass
- Mick Jones
Michael Leslie "Mick" Jones is an English guitarist, songwriter and record producer, best known as the founding member of the rock band, Foreigner.-Life and career:...
- guitar
- Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was an American soul musician from Houston, Texas, raised mostly in Los Angeles, California...
- electric piano
- Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE , better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer-songwriter, and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for the rock group The Beatles. When The Beatles formed in 1960, Starr belonged to another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes....
- drums
- Steve Winwood
Stephen Lawrence "Steve" Winwood is an English singer-songwriter who performs and writes rock, blues-rock, and jazz. He sings with a tenor voice and is a multi-instrumentalist who plays Hammond organ, guitar, bass, and other string instruments. In addition to his solo career, he was a member of...
- synthesizer, harmonium, background vocals
- Ron Wood
Ronald David "Ronnie" Wood is an English rock guitarist and bassist best known as a member of The Rolling Stones and Faces.-1960s:...
- guitar
- Gary Wright
Gary Wright , Cresskill, New Jersey, U.S.) is an American musician, probably best known for his song, "Dream Weaver". He was the piano player on Harry Nilsson's version of "Without You". He currently resides in Palos Verdes Estates, California with wife Rose. He has two adult sons, Dorian and...
- piano
- Robben Ford
Robben Ford is an American blues, jazz and rock guitarist.-Biography:Ford was born in Woodlake but raised in Ukiah, California, and began playing the saxophone at age 10, picking up the guitar at age 13...
- guitar
- Roger Kellaway - piano
- Tom Scott
Tom Scott may refer to:*Tom Scott , New Zealand cartoonist*Tom Scott , member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame*Tom Scott , coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball program...
- flute, saxophone
- Nicky Hopkins
Nicky Hopkins Nicky Hopkins Nicky Hopkins (born Nicholas Christian Hopkins (February 24, 1944 – September 6, 1994) was an English pianist and organist.He recorded and performed on some of the most important British and American popular music recordings of the 1960s and 1970s, and is widely...
- piano
- Alvin Lee
Alvin Lee is an English rock guitarist and singer. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, and with Leo Lyons formed the core of the band Ten Years After in 1960...
- guitar
- Jim Keltner
Jim Keltner is a session drummer who has contributed to the work of many well-known artists.-1970s:...
- drums
- Max Bennett
Max Bennett is an American jazz bassist and session musician.Bennett grew up in Kansas City and Oskaloosa, Iowa, and went to college in Iowa. His first professional gig was with Herbie Fields in 1949, and following this he played with Georgie Auld, Terry Gibbs, and Charlie Ventura...
- bass
- Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE is an English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Yardbirds, of Cream, and as a solo performer, being the only person ever to be inducted three times...
- guitar
- Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with Pink Floyd, Sting, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Elton John.-Biography:...
- percussion
- Chuck Findley
Chuck Findley is an American session and studio musician. Most widely-known as a trumpet player, he also plays other brass instruments such as flugelhorn and trombone....
- flute, horn
- John Guerin
John Guerin worked as a drummer, percussionist, and recording artist worldwide.Guerin was born in Hawaii and raised in San Diego. As a young drummer he began performing with Buddy DeFranco in 1960...
- drums
- Patti Harrison - vocals
- Neil Larsen - synthesizer
- Andy Newmark
Andrew "Andy" Newmark is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the funk band Sly & the Family Stone from 1972 to 1973....
- drums
- Emil Richards
Emil Richards, born Emilio Radocchia on September 2 1932 in Hartford, Connecticut, is a percussionist who plays a variety of different percussion instruments.-Biography:...
- marimba
- Derrek Van Eaton - vocals
- Klaus Voormann
Klaus Voormann is a German artist, musician, and record producer known for his long association with The Beatles, for whom he designed the cover of their album Revolver...
- bass
- Willie Weeks
Willie Weeks is an American bass guitarist. He has gained fame performing with famous musicians in a wide variety of genres. He has been one of the most in-demand session musicians throughout his career. Weeks has also gained noteriety touring with many of rock's heavyweights throughout his career...
- bass
- Gayle Levant - harp
- Dick Newman - strings
Chart positions
| Chart (1974/75) |
Position |
Weeks |
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Billboard 200The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling new music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
|
4 |
17 |
| Norwegian VG-lista Albums Chart VG-lista is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by...
(top 20) |
7 |
12 |
| Austrian Albums Chart (top 30) |
10 |
4 |
| Japanese Oricon Weekly LP Chart , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
(top 100) |
18 |
16 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart (top 40) |
29 |
4 |
Shipments and sales
| Country |
Organization |
Certification |
Shipments |
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
RIAA |
Gold |
500,000+ |
United KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many small islands...
|
BPI The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association. Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four 'major' record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies representing...
|
Silver |
60,000+ |
| Country |
Provider |
Sales |
Japanis an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
Oricon |
46,000+ |
External links