Legendary, multiple Hall of Famer, songwriter, singer, and guitarist Randy Bachman’s reveals his true feelings for George Harrison on By George – By Bachman: : Songs Of George Harrison. The only original tune is the acoustic jangly, slide-led “Between Two Mountains,” which bookends the 11 covers of George Harrison-penned songs.
Bachman’s guitar playing is really what’s best about this tribute. The many sound alike Harrison slide asides are expertly played, with a touch of Harrison signature style licks added throughout. When Bachman wails, as he does on the stomping and low “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and the snare snappy, heavy riffing, Texas boogie of this album’s version of “Taxman,” you feel the personal touch Bachman put into this music.
You have to give credit for the complete three-sixty changes to “Something,” transformed into a shuffle, and “Here Comes The Sun,” given a reggae-infused bass-heavy up-tempo — though the record really comes alive when Bachman plays the big riffs. We do get teased with sitar sounds throughout and they begin a bigger and louder “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth),” which serves as the final Harrison cover before the albums ends with “This Two Mountains Reprise.” The song is a rockin’ send-up, complete reworking of a Harrison melody and beat, and maybe a bit better than the inside-out versions of “Something” and “Here Comes The Sun.”
Enlisting his band of nearly a decade: Marc LaFrance as co-producer and drummer, Mick Dalla-Vee playing bass and keys, and Brent Knudsen on additional guitars, Randy Bachman manages his personal adoration for the quiet Beatle on By George – By Bachman: Songs Of George Harrison. a well-played, sometimes interesting takes on a wonderful mix of 11 tunes.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
