Album: Cloud Nine

Introduction
"Cloud Nine" is the twelfth studio album by English artist George Harrison, released on 2 November 1987 by Dark Horse Records. The album significant Harrison's go back to tape-recording after a five-year hiatus. With the help of former Electric Light Orchestra leader and fellow artist, Jeff Lynne, "Cloud Nine" was a major success, both commercially and seriously, representing a significant resurgence for Harrison.

Background and Production
After the release of his previous album, "Gone Troppo", in 1982, George Harrison ended up being increasingly indifferent in his solo career and took a hiatus from the music market. He concentrated on film production with his business HandMade Films, along with spending quality time with his household. During this duration, Harrison remained relatively quiet musically, only releasing a couple of songs and looking like a guest artist on other artists' tasks.

In 1986, Harrison started working together with Jeff Lynne, who had just recently disbanded Electric Light Orchestra. The 2 bonded over their shared adoration of The Everly Brothers, and this brand-new collaboration triggered Harrison's interest in tape-recording new music. Harrison's original objective was to produce an album of cover tunes, but Lynne motivated him to write brand-new material instead. This collaboration led to the production of the "Cloud Nine" album.

The album was taped at Harrison's home studio, FPSHOT (Friar Park Studio, Henley-on-Thames), and at Lynne's studio in England. Harrison played the majority of the instruments himself, with considerable contribution from Lynne, who also co-produced the album. Other notable musicians, such as Eric Clapton and Elton John, also added to the album.

Music and Style
"Cloud Nine" includes Harrison's signature slide guitar playing and distinct voice but also incorporates modern 1980s production methods, which were mostly influenced by Lynne's participation. The album consists of 11 tracks of varying styles, consisting of rock, pop, and ballads, with touchstones of Harrison's earlier work as a member of The Beatles.

Significant tracks include the opening song, "Cloud 9", which offers a psychedelic rock feel, and "Fish on the Sand", an appealing pop tune. Tunes like "That's What It Takes" showcases the signature guitar sound connected with Harrison's earlier profession, while "Just for Today" functions as a wholehearted ballad. The album likewise includes covers of Rudy Clark's "Got My Mind Set on You" and James Ray's "I Remember Jeep".

Industrial and Critical Reception
Upon its release, "Cloud Nine" received prevalent vital acclaim and was kept in mind for its strong melodies, production quality, and the return to form for Harrison. The album reached number 8 on the UK Albums Chart and number 20 on the US Billboard 200, remaining on the chart for an overall of 37 weeks. The lead single, "Got My Mind Set on You", ended up being a huge hit, reaching number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 in the UK.

"Cloud Nine" re-established Harrison as a successful solo artist and set the phase for his participation in the supergroup, the Traveling Wilburys, along with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne.

Tradition
Today, "Cloud Nine" is still thought about a substantial and prominent album in George Harrison's solo career. The record demonstrated Harrison's ability to adapt to modern styles and patterns while preserving his recognizable musical identity. The cooperation with Jeff Lynne triggered a creative resurgence for Harrison, leading him to produce not just a successful album however likewise lead the way for the development of the Traveling Wilburys in the following year.