Wreck Of The Hesperus

Written by: Harrison
Recorded: 5 January – August 1987
Producers: George Harrison, Jeff Lynne

Released: 2 November 1987 (UK), 3 November 1987 (US)

Available on:
Cloud Nine

Personnel

George Harrison: vocals, electric guitar
Jeff Lynne: bass guitar
Eric Clapton: electric guitar
Elton John: piano
Jim Horn: baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone
Ringo Starr: drums
Ray Cooper: percussion

‘Wreck Of The Hesperus’ is the ninth song on George Harrison’s eleventh solo album Cloud Nine.

It’s just a really funny song. When I started to write the song, I just opened my mouth and it came out: ‘I’m not the wreck of the Hesperus, I feel more like the Wall of China,’ and I just continued along that theme. Except when it gets to the middle eight, and then suddenly I go into a vicious attack on the press!

Eric Clapton plays on four tracks; I’m sure you could hear him. Eric has the end solo on ‘That’s What It Takes’, he plays on ‘Devil’s Radio’, ‘Wreck Of The Hesperus’, and on the title track. And then Elton John plays electric piano on ‘Cloud 9’ – and he plays piano on ‘Devil’s Radio’ and, I believe, ‘Wreck Of The Hesperus’, also.

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