GEORGE HARRISON ESTATE SHARES NEW VERSIONS OF “BE HERE NOW” & NEW VIDEO IN COLLABORATION WITH RAM DASS FOUNDATION
50th ANNIVERSARY EDITIONS OF LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD OUT NOVEMBER 15 ON DARK HORSE RECORDS/BMG
On the heels of the release of an acoustic version of “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) (Take 18)”, Dark Horse Records / BMG is proud to unveil the next taste of music from the 50th anniversary reissues of George Harrison’s Living in the Material World, his highly praised second solo album of original music following The Beatles’ 1970 dissolution.
Out now is the never-before-heard “Take 8” of “Be Here Now”, recorded on Oct. 12, 1972, as well as triple GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer Paul Hicks’ 2024 mix of the original album rendition. A new video directed by Mathew Newton & Leah Marie Newton, is also available for the latter, which features art from Ram Dass’ iconic book of the same name with the blessing of his foundation.
Thanks to songs such as “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” and “Be Here Now”, Living in the Material World resonated deeply with audiences. Just five weeks after its May 1973 release, both the LP and “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 groundbreaking benefit rock concerts at Madison Square Garden, NY, aiming to raise both awareness and funds for the starving refugees of Bangladesh. The Concert for Bangladesh live album, another triple LP, became a commercial triumph and global bestseller, ultimately earning the prestigious GRAMMY® Award for Album of the Year.
Lovingly overseen by Dhani and Olivia Harrison, Living in the Material World has been completely remixed from the original tapes for a stunning suite of 50th anniversary releases. Overseen by Paul Hicks (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon), the new mix elevates the album with a sonic upgrade, delivering a sound that’s brighter, richer, and more dynamic than ever before.
Available November 15th, via Dark Horse Records/BMG, Living in the Material World 50th Anniversary Edition will be available in a variety of physical and digital formats including a Super Deluxe Edition Box Set:
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. For the first time, the Harrison archive team offers an in-depth, chronological account of the album’s creation, revealing insights that have never been shared with the public before.
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:
“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…..
Give me Love
Give me Peace on Earth.”
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.”
ABOUT THE MATERIAL WORLD FOUNDATION
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.
The Material World Foundation continues to transform lives across the world today.
For more information go to www.materialworldfoundation.co
ABOUT THE RAM DASS LOVE SERVE REMEMBER FOUNDATION (LSRF)
The Love Serve Remember Foundation (LSRF) upholds the teachings of Ram Dass and his guru, Neem Karoli Baba. As a former Harvard psychologist and psychedelic pioneer, Ram Dass underwent a transformative journey in the 1960s after traveling to India. His seminal book, Be Here Now, changed a generation, inviting readers to embrace mindfulness and spiritual practice. Through online courses, films, podcasts, and more, LSRF carries on his legacy, providing new generations with insights on spiritual growth and fostering a compassionate community dedicated to selfless service.
For more information go to www.ramdass.org.
George Harrison
Living In The Material World (50th Anniversary Edition)
(Dark Horse Records/BMG)
Release Date: November 15, 2024
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