The Dark Horse Years 1976-1992

Digital Video Disc (DVD) [DVD]

Label: Capitol

Style: Singer/Songwriter

The Dark Horse Years 1976-1992

UPC: 724354410499

Release Date: 11/02/2004

Original Release Date: 11/02/2004

Number of Discs: 1

William Ruhlmann

This is a stand-alone release of the DVD originally included on the George Harrison CD box set also called Dark Horse Years 1976-1992. It begins with a ten-minute documentary Dark Horse Feature, followed by seven music videos (two of them for the song "Got My Mind Set on You"), four songs from Harrison's December 1991 Japanese concert tour, and three excerpts from his song score for the 1986 film Shanghai Surprise. The performances are introduced by short interview segments (which can be turned off for repeat viewing.) While the collection is what it claims to be, a video documentation of the 1976-1992 era of Harrison's career (albeit not including all of his music videos), it is more of a video scrapbook than a comprehensive look at the 16-year period. The package is not intended for beginners; when Harrison introduces "This Song" by discussing a court case, the viewer is expected to know that he is referring to the successful plagiarism suit against his 1970 hit "My Sweet Lord," since he never says so specifically. On the other hand, a Harrison expert will recognize the omission of such songs "Blow Away" and "This Is Love." Still, that fan will welcome the inclusion of the Shanghai Surprise songs (the title tune, a duet with the uncredited Vicki Brown; the love ballad "Someplace Else"; and the 1930s-style nightclub number "The Hottest Gong in Town," which Harrison was glimpsed performing in the film), since no soundtrack for this famously unsuccessful movie was ever released. Also welcome are the concert versions of "Cheer Down" (from the film Lethal Weapon 2) and the Beatles' "Taxman." Since Harrison's catalog is controlled entirely by Capitol Records, however, it seems odd to have emphasized what used to be the post-Capitol era of 1976-1992, both in the box set and in this video, rather than considering Harrison's solo recording career as a whole. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi