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๐ŸŽค Artist Deep Dive ๐ŸŽธ Rock

Every George Harrison Studio Album Ranked Best to Worst

George Harrison Cover

๐ŸŽง Artist Spotlight

George Harrison

Dive deep into the essential discography of George Harrison. Explore the defining studio albums that shaped their legendary career.

Curated Spotify PlaylistExpand Player โ–พ
๐Ÿ“‹ Vinyl Guide (12 Albums)Jump List โŒƒ

George Harrison forged one of the most compelling solo careers of any former Beatle, blending spiritual depth, slide guitar virtuosity, and razor-sharp pop instincts. From sprawling triple-LP masterpieces to avant-garde Moog experiments, his catalog offers an incredible analog journey for record collectors.

Essential George Harrison Albums Ranked

#1 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” All Things Must Pass

Label: Apple Records • Released: 1970

George Harrison โ€” All Things Must Pass

Label: Apple Records • Released: 1970

Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production reaches its absolute zenith on this magnum opus, bursting with emotional release and acoustic resonance. Harrison’s slide guitar work and existential songwriting elevate every track into cinematic sonic catharsis.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ My Sweet Lord (2020 Mix)
โ™ซ What Is Life (2020 Mix)
โ™ซ Isn’t It a Pity (Version 1) [2020 Mix]
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original UK and US Apple triple-LP box sets mastered at Bell Sound feature exceptional low-end warmth, though early stampers require careful inspection for surface noise.
#2 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” George Harrison

Label: Dark Horse Records • Released: 1979

George Harrison โ€” George Harrison

Label: Dark Horse Records • Released: 1979

Recorded at his home studio in Friar Park, this self-titled gem radiates warmth, tranquility, and refined acoustic craft. Tracks like Blow Away highlight his melodic brilliance and lush, unhurried production style.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Blow Away (2004 Remaster)
โ™ซ Love Comes to Everyone (2004 Remaster)
โ™ซ Faster (2004 Remaster)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Mastered by Bernie Grundman, original US Dark Horse pressings offer an airy soundstage with crystal-clear acoustic guitar imaging.
#3 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” Living in the Material World

Label: Apple Records • Released: 1973

George Harrison โ€” Living in the Material World

Label: Apple Records • Released: 1973

Serving as the spiritual sequel to his debut solo blockbuster, this set features top-tier musicianship from Nicky Hopkins, Klaus Voormann, and Jim Keltner. The pristine instrumentation and focused lyricism showcase Harrison at his absolute vocal peak.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)
โ™ซ Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long (2014 Remaster)
โ™ซ The Light That Has Lighted the World (2014 Remaster)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: First US pressings etched with ZAPPLE or Mastered by Capitol in the dead wax deliver tight mid-bass punch and excellent channel separation.
#4 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” Cloud Nine

Label: Dark Horse Records • Released: 1987

George Harrison โ€” Cloud Nine

Label: Dark Horse Records • Released: 1987

Co-produced with Jeff Lynne, this triumphant comeback record brought Harrison back to the top of the charts with infectious hooks and soaring slide solos. The crisp 1980s analog tracking perfectly balances vintage Beatleesque pop with radio-ready shine.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Got My Mind Set on You (2004 Remaster)
โ™ซ When We Was Fab (2004 Remaster)
โ™ซ Devil’s Radio (2004 Remaster)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original Specialty Records Corporation pressings feature Sterling dead wax stamps and present punchy dynamic punch without sibilance.
#5 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” Thirty Three & 1/เฅ

Label: Dark Horse Records • Released: 1976

George Harrison โ€” Thirty Three & 1/เฅ

Label: Dark Horse Records • Released: 1976

Rebounding from health troubles, Harrison delivered a breezy, funk-infused pop-rock record full of witty lyricism and tight grooves. The rhythm section cooks on every track, giving Side A a lively, rhythmic drive.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ This Song (2004 Remaster)
โ™ซ Crackerbox Palace (2004 Remaster)
โ™ซ Woman Don’t You Cry for Me (2004 Remaster)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Look for copies cut at Sterling Sound for snappy drum transient response and deep stereo depth.
#6 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” Brainwashed

Label: Dark Horse Records / EMI • Released: 2002

George Harrison โ€” Brainwashed

Label: Dark Horse Records / EMI • Released: 2002

Completed posthumously by his son Dhani Harrison and Jeff Lynne, this final statement is deeply intimate, philosophical, and melodically rich. It stands as a fitting, bittersweet capstone to a brilliant songwriting career.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Any Road
โ™ซ Marwa Blues
โ™ซ Stuck Inside a Cloud
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original 2002 vinyl pressings are scarce and highly sought after, though recent 180g reissues offer clean digital-to-analog transfers.
#7 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” Somewhere in England

Label: Dark Horse Records • Released: 1981

George Harrison โ€” Somewhere in England

Label: Dark Horse Records • Released: 1981

Famed for its record label rejection and subsequent song swaps, this album holds historic weight due to All Those Years Ago, Harrison’s poignant tribute to John Lennon. The remaining tracks weave between bright pop hooks and reflective synth-pop textures.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ All Those Years Ago (2004 Remaster)
โ™ซ Life Itself (2004 Remaster)
โ™ซ Teardrops (2004 Remaster)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: US originals mastered by Precision Lacquer exhibit balanced mid-frequencies and smooth high-end treble detail.
#8 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” Dark Horse

Label: Apple Records • Released: 1974

George Harrison โ€” Dark Horse

Label: Apple Records • Released: 1974

Recorded while suffering severe laryngitis right before his infamous 1974 North American tour, Harrison’s raspy vocals divide listeners. Despite the vocal strain, the funk-tinged grooves and stellar backing band offer plenty of rewarding moments.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Dark Horse
โ™ซ Ding Dong, Ding Dong
โ™ซ So Sad
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Pressings cut at Master cutting rooms retain heavy bass extension, though inner-groove distortion can occur on worn copies.
#9 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” Extra Texture (Read All About It)

Label: Apple Records • Released: 1975

George Harrison โ€” Extra Texture (Read All About It)

Label: Apple Records • Released: 1975

A soul-influenced, keyboard-heavy affair that reflects a darker, moodier period in Harrison’s life. While less immediate than his early work, tracks like You provide vintage melodic joy alongside deep ambient ballads.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ You (2014 Remaster)
โ™ซ This Guitar (Can’t Keep from Crying)
โ™ซ The Answer’s at the End (2014 Remaster)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Look for the textured die-cut jacket variants in VG+ condition to avoid seam splits and ring wear.
#10 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” Gone Troppo

Label: Dark Horse Records • Released: 1982

George Harrison โ€” Gone Troppo

Label: Dark Horse Records • Released: 1982

Steeped in 1980s synthesizer arrangements and lighthearted tropical vibes, this album caught Harrison stepping away from the music industry spotlight. It remains an eccentric, relaxed curiosity for deep catalog completists.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Wake Up My Love (2004 Remaster)
โ™ซ Gone Troppo (2004 Remaster)
โ™ซ Dream Away (2004 Remaster)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Common in bargain bins, original US pressings cut at Masterdisk sound surprisingly punchy and quiet.
#11 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” Electronic Sound

Label: Zapple Records • Released: 1969

George Harrison โ€” Electronic Sound

Label: Zapple Records • Released: 1969

Comprising two side-long exploratory noise pieces recorded on an early Moog Synthesizer IIIp, this experimental release was way ahead of its time. It stands as an avant-garde archival artifact rather than a traditional song-based record.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Under the Mersey Wall (2014 Remaster)
โ™ซ No Time Or Space (2014 Remaster)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Rare original Zapple pressing vinyl demands top prices; check dead wax for clean, unmarred grooves on Side B.
#12 Essential Pick

George Harrison โ€” Wonderwall Music

Label: Apple Records • Released: 1968

George Harrison โ€” Wonderwall Music

Label: Apple Records • Released: 1968

As the first solo album released by a Beatle, it captures a unique, experimental fusion of Indian classical music and psychedelic rock that rewards deep, analog listening. The lush, intricate instrumentation benefits immensely from the warm, textured depth of a vinyl pressing, making it a meditative essential for any serious collector.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Microbes (2014 Remaster)
โ™ซ On the Bed (2014 Remaster)
โ™ซ Ski-Ing (2014 Remaster)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Look for original UK Apple pressings with the ‘Sold in UK’ text on the label to ensure the highest fidelity master, though the 2014 remastered reissue is also highly regarded for its clean, quiet surface quality.
๐Ÿ“ฉ

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Vinyl Crate-Digging & Buying Guide

When crate-digging for George Harrison records, inspect gatefolds for seam splits and ring wear, particularly on his early 1970s Apple releases. Seek out original UK and US pressings stamped at Sterling, Masterdisk, or Bell Sound for the warmest analog fidelity. For ‘All Things Must Pass’, ensure the original box set includes the poster and individual printed inner sleeves in VG+ or better condition.

Final Thoughts

George Harrison’s discography is a rich tapestry of spiritual searching, melodic mastery, and sonic experimentation. Whether spinning the massive acoustic soundstage of ‘All Things Must Pass’ or the laid-back grooves of his 1979 self-titled LP, putting needle to groove on these records never fails to reward the ears.