My Sweet George is the first album from the L.A. indie pop band
George is Lord, whose repertoire is derived exclusively from the songs of
George Harrison, during his years with
the Beatles as well as his solo work. On
My Sweet George, they filter
Harrison's melodies through their spare, sunny, and easygoing folk-influenced arrangements, with the lead guitar of
Sam Blasucci (best known for his work with
Mapache) adding the closest thing to flash this band delivers. There's a sweetness to these performances that's truly engaging, and the group's love of the material is obvious from first note to last. This doesn't represent a deep dive into the
Harrison songbook -- three of the tunes come from his time with
the Beatles, and out of the rest, only one didn't first appear on
All Things Must Pass ("Dark Sweet Lady" came from 1979's
George Harrison). These are songs you likely know by heart, and the LP sounds as friendly as a hug from your bestie, full of the laid-back charm of some friends strumming on the patio on a Sunday afternoon.
George is Lord are fans who sing these tunes for love, and this set is a fine reminder of the Quiet Beatle's enduring talent as a songwriter. ~ Mark Deming