from THIRTY THREE & 1/3
written by George Harrison
David Foster’s first work with legendary former Beatle George Harrison was in 1975 for the album “Extra Texture—Read All About It.” Foster played on several tracks of that record and wrote the string arrangements. That same year, Harrison also signed Foster’s all-star band Attitudes to his Dark Horse Records label. The up’n’coming keyboardist was subsequently enlisted to play on Harrison ’s follow-up record, “Thirty-Three & 1/3.”
Released in 1976, “Thirty-Three & 1/3” is one of the most positive and happy records of Harrison’s career. It was a Top 15 hit in the U.S. and certified gold. “Thirty-Three & 1/3” included the upbeat, R&B influenced “This Song” that’s clearly an answer to the court problems Harrison faced for “My Sweet Lord” a few years before. “This Song” became a hit in the U.S. reaching #25 on Billboard’s Hot 100. There are other goodies on the album like “Crackerbox Palace,” a catchy pop number that also made the charts at #19 and “Pure Smokey,” a classy pop/soul moment with great soloing and top notch performances by music greats like Tom Scott on sax and Richard Tee on keyboards. Foster played on a few cuts of “Thirty-Three & 1/3,” the best one being the enchanting ballad “Learning How To Love You.” It’s the album’s closer and what a way to go!
“Learning How To Love You” is a sophisticated ballad originally written for singer/trumpet player Herb Alpert who didn’t record it. Harrison said it was his best ballad since “Something” so he decided to cut it himself. His vocal performance is perfect and he has a beautiful acoustic guitar solo. The singer is supported here by Foster and Tee on keyboards with Scott’s great horn playing. “Learning How To Love You” is an absolute joy to listen to for its elegant and refined mood.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/learning_how_to_love_you.mp3|titles=Learning how to love you|artists=George Harrison]
Lead Vocals & Guitar: George Harrison
Horns & Flute: Tom Scott
Keyboards: David Foster & Richard Tee
Bass: Willie Weeks
Drums: Alvin Taylor
Produced by George Harrison
Lyrics
While all is still in the night
And silence starts its flow
Become or disbelieve me
Left alone with my heart
I’m learning how to love you
While waiting on the Light
How patience learned to grow
Endeavor could relieve me
Left alone with my heart
I know that I can love you
Love you like you may have never been
Move you more ways than you have seen
To a point in the time where we see so much more
Than the ground that we touch
With each step so unsure
As teardrops cloud the sight
Your eyes may never know
No truth could ever fear me
And left alone with my heart
I’m learning how to love you.
Love you like you may have never seen
Move you more ways than you have been
To a point in the time where we see so much more
Than the ground that we touch
With each step so unsure
As teardrops cloud the sight
Your eyes may never know
No truth could ever fear me
And left alone with my heart
I’m learning how to love you.