5 best George Harrison album tracks

In celebration of George Harrison’s birth on this day in 1943, The Island Packet shares the five best album tracks from the former Beatle’s solo career.

Apple Scruffs

Written in honor of the Beatles fans the song takes its name from, Apple Scruffs is the brightest track on Harrison’s 1970 classic “All Things Must Pass.” If “All Things Must Pass” was released in 2016, this would be the first single.

Beware of Darkness

Another track from Harrison’s breakthrough 1970 triple album, this ballad’s heavy use of metaphor lends a sense of mystery. The demo version Harrison played for Phil Spector remains one of the best bootleg recordings in rock ‘n’ roll history, and for that reason we share it instead of the album version (which is just as fabulous). Note Harrison’s “Beware of ABKCO” joke, a nod to The Beatles’ financial entanglements.

Be Here Now

Recalling the quiet Beatle’s Indian-influenced work with his former band, “Be Here Now” borrows its title from the book written by the spiritual figure Ram Dass. This slow-moving track from 1973’s “Living in the Material World” makes a nice alarm tone, if you’re looking for a gentle morning wake-up.

Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)

We liked this “All Things Must Pass” classic before it was featured prominently on the CBS TV hit “How I Met Your Mother.” The song honors Frank Crisp, the 19th century lawyer and original owner of Harrison’s best-known residence, Friar Park.

Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long

Another cut from “Living in the Material World,” this pop tune was played by Harrison and Paul Simon for a Saturday Night Live audience in 1976. The song did not appear on the broadcast and good luck finding a recording.

This story was originally published February 25, 2016 at 5:36 PM with the headline "5 best George Harrison album tracks."