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A Tribute to GEORGE HARRISON
A Musical Inspiration By Dennis Hughes, Share Guide Publisher |
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George was much more than a Beatle to me. Over the last few months I've reassembled his complete solo discography, part of which is out of print. I recently read the book Harrison by the editors of Rolling Stone and played all of his albums again, which caused me to reflect on lessons learned from his contemplative lyrics: "All Things Must Pass"…"My Sweet Lord"… "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)." I first rocked out with The Beatles; George taught me to "rock in." George Harrison went into retirement after the passing of John Lennon, living with his family amidst the lavish gardens of his estate, Friar Park, and playing with his musician friends. He was out of the public eye for years at a time. But when he died last year, a huge wave of mourning passed through all of my musical friends. Our memories are crystal clear of how the Beatles affected our lives. I can still feel the excitement of buying The White Album the day it was released and walking to my best friend's house to play it for the first time. We were still too young to drive. George turned us on to Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan, which opened the door to music from other lands. I studied classical music history in high school, but that was all Western European music. It was interesting but didn't hit me emotionally like rock and roll. Before hearing sitar and tablas on Beatles albums, I had no idea those instruments existed. Later, while in college, I became aware of John McLaughlin's band Shakti, which featured Zakir Hussein on tablas. Eventually I went to Ali Akbar College in San Rafael, California bought a set of tablas, and began drumming with the local Ananda chanting group. Today we hear all manner of World Music combinations, like the Carlos Nakai/Kechog Nawang album In A Distant Place. It features Native Americans crossing currents with Tibetans. I call this one my "Tib-Indian" album. George also turned us on to meditation. The exploits of the Beatles learning Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi while in India are well documented, and I'm sure many of you were affected. Our heroes were trying something exotic to us Westerners, but also something profoundly interesting and introspective. On the latest CD from Jai Uttal entitled Mondo Rama, there is a Beatles tune from this period combined with an Indian chant entitled "Tomorrow Never Knows/Shivaya." Check out the lyrics. There is a growing body of Western musicians who are releasing well produced chanting albums, bringing the ancient mantras (sacred healing sounds) to a whole new generation of listeners. I discussed this with Jai in his interview. The Nov/Dec 2002 issue of The Share Guide also featured many other luminaries in the field of Sound Healing. Included are articles by Steven Halpern, Don Campbell, Jonathan Goldman, Mickey Hart and others. I bet George Harrison had some influence on every one of these people, and on artists around the world. He was truly a pioneer. Many musicians are currently touring, bringing World Music instrumentals and traditional songs of healing and spirit live to people throughout the land. Spiritual teachers are touring and setting up spiritual centers in many different countries. We are riding a global wave of beauty and wonder, which began in the sixties, with George Harrison as one of our main inspirations. When his album Living in the Material World was released, there was a lyric sheet included which featured the Sanskrit Om symbol and a poster of Lord Krishna and Arjuna from the Bhagavad Gita, India's most sacred book. "Bhagavad Gita" translates to "The Song Celestial". I still have that poster of Lord Krishna framed in my office. And framed next to it is the cover of People magazine with George Harrison on the cover, from the week he passed on. He has a slight, Mona Lisa smile and his hands are in the mudra of sleeping. When he left his body he was surrounded by his family--including Ravi Shankar. George, you may be sleeping, but your spirit lives on in your musical and spiritual influence. If we are all flowers in God's Garden, you have surely watered us well. Thank you for your celestial songs. Om Shanti.MORE HEALTH ARTICLES Home  Health Directory Articles Index Interviews IndexReviews Links About Share Guide Contact us |
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