'Living in the Material World' by George Harrison gets spruced up for 50th anniversary

Living in the Material World, George Harrison’s second solo album of original music following The Beatles’ 1970 dissolution, recently marked its 50th anniversary. 

Five weeks after its May 1973 release, both the LP and its single “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” held the top spots simultaneously on the U.S. albums and singles charts.

The album’s success further solidified a winning streak that began with All Things Must Pass, the triple LP topped the US charts in early 1971. Later that same year, George organized two benefit rock concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York, aiming to raise both awareness and funds for the starving refugees of Bangladesh. The Concert for Bangladesh live album, another triple LP, was another major hit, ultimately earning a Grammy for 'Album of the Year.'

Overseen by Dhani and Olivia Harrison, Living in the Material World has now been completely remixed from the original tapes for various 50th anniversary releases set for November 15 via Dark Horse Records/BMG. The album was remixed by Grammy-winning engineer Paul Hicks (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon).

See full track listing below and pre-order HERE.

An acoustic version of “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) (Take 18)” is available now. Listen to “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) (Take 18)”

Acoustic Version HERE

Watch Visualizer HERE

FORMATS: 

SUPER DELUXE EDITION

Limited to 5,000 units globally, the Super Deluxe Edition box set features the album on 2LP (180g) and 2CD, which includes the newly remixed original album and a bonus disc containing 12 previously unreleased early renditions of every song on the main album. Additionally, the set includes a Blu-Ray of all album tracks and previously unreleased tracks in Dolby Atmos, and an exclusive 7” single of the never-before-heard recording of ‘Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond),’ featuring Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, and Rick Danko from The Band, alongside Ringo Starr.

Housed in a rigid slipcase, the box set contains a beautiful 60-page hardcover book curated by Olivia Harrison and Rachel Cooper, with unseen imagery and memorabilia from the era, handwritten lyrics, studio notes, and tape box images. Also included is a 12-page Recording Notes booklet, drawing from original Living in the Material World production notes, photographs, and reel-to-reel session tapes housed in the George Harrison Archive. 

Alongside the super deluxe format, the album will also be available on 2LP and 2CD Deluxe Editions, both of which pair new mixes of the original album with session outtakes. The 2LP Deluxe Edition will be presented in a gatefold sleeve with a 12-page booklet, while the 2CD Deluxe Edition comes in a Clamshell Box with two printed wallets, a 20-page booklet, and a poster. The main album will also be offered individually as a 1CD, 1LP, and limited edition 1LP color vinyl exclusives available from the official George Harrison online store (Purple Color Vinyl), Amazon (Clear Color Vinyl) and Barnes & Noble (Orange Color Vinyl). All formats are available for pre-order now.

Of the release, Olivia Harrison shares in a press release:

“I hope you revisit Living in the Material World or discover it for the first time, and as you listen, share George’s wish for himself and mankind."

Dhani Harrison adds:

"Finally, we are overjoyed to present to you the 50th anniversary package of George Harrison's 'Living in the Material World'. For those of you who are just discovering this album; This record was released in service and with deep love for all our Brothers and Sisters around the world who populate this dualistic system we live in called Earth. Peace be upon all sentient beings.”

Following the Concert for Bangladesh George created The Material World Foundation in 1973 to sponsor diverse forms of artistic expression and to encourage the exploration of alternative life views and philosophies as well as supporting established charitable organizations with consideration to those with special needs.

George donated all publishing royalties from Living In The Material World, in perpetuity to the Foundation. For more information go to www.materialworldfoundation.com

SUPER DELUXE TRACKLISTING:

LP1/CD Disc 1

Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) (2024 Mix)
Sue Me, Sue You Blues (2024 Mix)
The Light That Has Lighted the World (2024 Mix)
Don't Let Me Wait Too Long (2024 Mix)
Who Can See It (2024 Mix)
Living in the Material World (2024 Mix)
The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord) (2024 Mix)
Be Here Now (2024 Mix)
Try Some Buy Some (2024 Mix)
The Day the World Gets 'Round (2024 Mix)
That Is All (2024 Mix)

LP2/CD Disc 2

Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) (Take 18; Acoustic Version)
Sue Me, Sue You Blues (Take 5)
The Light That Has Lighted the World (Take 13)
Don't Let Me Wait Too Long (Take 49; Acoustic Version)
Who Can See It (Take 93)
Living in the Material World (Take 31)
The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord) (Take 3)
Be Here Now (Take 8)
Try Some Buy Some (Alternative Version)
The Day the World Gets 'Round (Take 22; Acoustic Version)
That Is All (Take 24)
Miss O'Dell (2024 Mix)
Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond) *CD Only

7" Single

Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)
Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond) [Instrumental]

Blu-Ray

Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) (2024 Mix)
Sue Me, Sue You Blues (2024 Mix)
The Light That Has Lighted the World (2024 Mix)
Don't Let Me Wait Too Long (2024 Mix)
Who Can See It (2024 Mix)
Living in the Material World (2024 Mix)
The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord) (2024 Mix)
Be Here Now (2024 Mix)
Try Some Buy Some (2024 Mix)
The Day the World Gets 'Round (2024 Mix)
That Is All (2024 Mix)
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) (Take 18; Acoustic Version)
Sue Me, Sue You Blues (Take 5)
The Light That Has Lighted the World (Take 13)
Don't Let Me Wait Too Long (Take 49; Acoustic Version)
Who Can See It (Take 93)
Living in the Material World (Take 31)
The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord) (Take 3)
Be Here Now (Take 8)
Try Some Buy Some (Alternative Version)
The Day the World Gets 'Round (Take 22; Acoustic Version)
That Is All (Take 24)
Miss O'Dell (2024 Mix)
Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)