Yim Yames

Yim Yames
Tribute To
(ATO, 2009)

On November 29, 2001, rock ‘n’ roll lost a luminary when Beatles guitarist George Harrison was taken much too early by lung cancer. With the shock of his death came grief for many and, for some, the inherent need to find a way to honor one of the greatest guitar players and songwriters who ever lived. A huge fan of Harrison who felt a strong connection to his songs, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James found out the true meaning of the phrase “All things must pass” that day in November: That the impermanence of life touches us all, but that an end is really a new road. However, James sought solace in the permanent mark Harrison’s art had left on the world.

Originally recorded in 2001, just a few days after Harrison’s passing, Jim James sat down to pay recorded tribute to his spirit. The six Harrison covers James chose were four cuts from All Things Must Pass, Harrison’s near-perfect 1970 solo record, and two Beatles songs penned by Harrison. Finally released this year under the name “Yim Yames,” via ATO, Tribute To is a beautiful, meditative homage to a man who inspired so many with his unique and transcendental musical talent.

All Things Must Pass was Harrison’s first effort after the breakup of the Fab Four. It spanned three records and elevated Harrison’s songwriting with effervescent spirituality, created, in parts, with Phil Spector at the helm of production, an all-star band, a reverb tsunami, and an otherworldly gospel choir. In contrast, James’ versions of All Things Must Pass songs “My Sweet Lord”, “Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)”, “Behind That Locked Door”, and the album’s title track “All Things Must Pass” are distant, haunting acoustic ballads filled with miles of space. Bubbling to the surface here are Harrison’s flawless chord progressions and minimalist but idyllic lyrics.

“Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)” is the only place where the whispered vocals of the rest of the album give way to James’ signature reedy yelps. But otherwise, James disappears in the project, giving himself over to the goal of honoring his idol. “My Sweet Lord”, the biggest single from All Things Must Pass, and an ambitious cover for any musician, sounds gorgeous as a simple guitar and vocal track. It shines on Tribute To, as the tender and intimate message to a higher power at the album’s core truly reflects Harrison’s deeply humble and hopeful spiritual nature.

The two Harrison-penned Beatles songs James chose, “Long, Long, Long” from The White Album and “Love You To” from Revolver, are psychedelic milestones that sound new as scenic folk ballads. Near the end of “Love You To”, James howls mournfully, and it’s a much-needed release of fondness and bereavement into the sky, as if he’s calling out to wherever Harrison has traveled.

Closing Tribute To with “All Things Must Pass” seems unavoidable. With lyrics like, “After all this, my love is up and must be leaving / It’s not always going to be this grey,” the song functions like a eulogy Harrison wrote for himself, a message to loved ones, fans, and anyone who has ever lost or who ever will. In a farewell bid, James sings, “So I must be on my way and face another day,” allowing his voice and guitar to fade slowly, slipping into nothingness. He returns to those two lines after the last verse of the song, letting it end on Harrison’s heartfelt farewell message.

As an additional mark of respect to Harrison, a portion of the proceeds from Tribute To will go to Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, to aid the organization in their efforts to provide shelter for rescued farm animals.

Listen: Various Tracks [at myspace.com]

Tags: Yim Yames, Tribute To, Jim James, My Morning Jacket, George Harrison, The Beatles