Jeff Lynne Completes George Harrison's Final Album 'Brainwashed'

Renowned music producer Jeff Lynne, known for his work with Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), took on the challenging task of completing George Harrison's posthumous album 'Brainwashed' in collaboration with Harrison's son Dhani. The album serves as a bold and personal final artistic statement from the late Beatles guitarist.

Lynne had previously worked with Harrison on his successful album 'Cloud Nine' in 1987, bringing a polished sound to the project. When Harrison was diagnosed with cancer, he sought to create one final album with Lynne's help. Although Harrison had completed most of the songs before Lynne's involvement, some tracks were still in demo form as Harrison's health declined.

After Harrison's passing in 2001, his son Dhani stepped in to collaborate with Lynne on completing 'Brainwashed.' Dhani remarked, "It's like my dad had the whole thing mapped out, and me and Jeff were the lab rats making our way through the maze that hadn't quite been finished yet." Lynne found the project daunting at first, but having Dhani's presence throughout the process made him feel as though George was with them in spirit.

Lynne aimed to bring Harrison's songs to life beyond their demo forms, stating, "What he wanted was sort of demo form of music, but they deserved more than that because they were great songs." The resulting album showcases a range of styles, from the mythological 'Rising Sun' to the ukulele-driven cover of 'Between the Devil and The Deep Blue Sea' and pop-leaning tracks like 'Any Road.'

The title track 'Brainwashed' perfectly blends Lynne's production with Harrison's spirit, building to a tranquil finish featuring Harrison chanting his mantra in unison with Dhani. Lynne's work on the album highlights his ability to bring out the best in his collaborators, even under the most challenging circumstances.

'Brainwashed' was released in November 2002, nearly a year after Harrison's death. The album reached #18 on the Billboard 200 chart and received positive reviews from critics, who praised its intimate and reflective nature. Lynne's dedication to completing Harrison's final musical vision resulted in a fitting tribute to the beloved musician's enduring legacy.

Key Takeaways

• Jeff Lynne completed George Harrison's posthumous album "Brainwashed" with Dhani Harrison.
• Lynne had previously worked with Harrison on "Cloud Nine" in 1987.
• Harrison's son Dhani collaborated with Lynne to finish the album after his father's passing.
• The album features a range of styles and showcases Lynne's production skills.
• "Brainwashed" was released in 2002, reached #18 on the Billboard 200 chart, and received positive reviews.