On this day in music history: November 2, 1987 - “Cloud Nine”, the twelfth album by George Harrison is released. Produced by George Harrison and Jeff Lynne, it is recorded at Friar Park Studios (FPSHOT) in Henley, Oxfordshire, UK from January - March 1987. Following the disappointing sales and chart performance of his previous release “Gone Troppo”, Harrison takes an extended break from recording, to mostly focus on his family, running his production company Handmade Films, and indulge in his twin passions of gardening and formula one racing. By the beginning of 1987, he’s ready to make a full return to music. Looking for someone to collaborate with and bounce ideas off of, George contacts Jeff Lynne of the Electric Light Orchestra about working with him. Lynne who has been heavily influenced by The Beatles in his own work, immediately accepts the offer. Working in Harrison’s home studio at his Friar Park estate, it features guest appearances from several of Harrison’s friends including Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Jim Keltner, Ray Cooper, and Gary Wright. His first album of new material in five years, it marks the beginning of a successful comeback for the former Beatle. It spins off four singles including “Got My Mind Set On You” (#1 Pop), which at the time gives him the longest span between his first number one single with The Beatles and “Got My Mind Set On You” which was twenty three years and eleven months. The album cover features a shot of Harrison holding a 1957 Gretsch Duo Jet guitar. The instrument holds special significance as it is the first American made guitar owned by George (purchased used in 1961 from a sailor in Liverpool), and was used on numerous early Beatles recordings until 1963. Harrison gives the guitar to long time friend, musician and artist Klaus Voorman, who keeps it for twenty years before returning it. George has the guitar repaired and restored to its original state, even using it on the new album. It spins off three singles including “When We Was Fab” (#23 Pop) and “This Is Love”. The album is remastered and reissued on CD in 2004 as part of the box set “The Dark Horse Years - 1976 - 1992. Long out of print on vinyl, it is finally remastered and reissued as a 180 gram LP in 2017. "Cloud Nine” is issued as a stand alone release, and as part of the vinyl box set “George Harrison - The Vinyl Collection” in February of 2017. “Cloud Nine” peaks at number eight on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

Now this wasn't an album or single come to that bought when it came out . . . . . but you know, . . . . . . it's George!

thanks to the most excellent Jeff Harris' blog 'Behind The Grooves