"Extra Texture (Read All About It)" is the sixth studio album by George Harrison, released on 22 September 1975. This album marked Harrison's last under his contract with Apple Records and EMI, following a challenging period, including his 1974 North American tour and the mixed reception of his previous album, Dark Horse.
Unlike much of Harrison's earlier work, Extra Texture features lyrics that lack overt spiritual themes. The album was primarily recorded in the U.S. while he was based in Los Angeles, where he was involved with Dark Horse Records. Collaborators on the album included notable musicians like Gary Wright, David Foster, and Billy Preston, contributing to its keyboard-heavy, soul-influenced sound, which diverged from Harrison's earlier rock and folk-rock styles.
Despite receiving largely negative reviews, the album achieved commercial success, earning gold certification from the RIAA shortly after its release. It produced the hit single "You," originally recorded in 1971, and included "This Guitar (Can't Keep from Crying)," a sequel to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." The album was remastered and reissued in September 2014 as part of the box set The Apple Years 1968–75.
In its February 13, 1975 issue, Rolling Stone magazine criticized George Harrison's North American tour with Ravi Shankar and the accompanying Dark Horse album as "disastrous." Once considered a leading ex-Beatle, Harrison disappointed fans by not acknowledging The Beatles' legacy in his performances and media interactions. His focus on launching his Dark Horse record label resulted in a rushed album and laryngitis, leading to a hoarse performance during the tour. While Dark Horse sold well initially in the U.S., it failed to chart in the U.K.
Despite Harrison's claims that negative press motivated him, the criticism affected him deeply, especially following the end of his marriage to Pattie Boyd. In a radio interview, he acknowledged professional criticism but expressed frustration at its persistent source. This bitterness influenced his follow-up album, Extra Texture (Read All About It), which would be the last studio album released on The Beatles' Apple Records.
The album emerged during Harrison's time in Los Angeles, where he found himself with unexpected studio time due to the absence of a band he was overseeing. Though he wasn't impressed with the recording facility, he took advantage of the opportunity, completing unfinished songs and writing new material. This urgency, coupled with his desire to move away from the Capitol/EMI contract, contributed to the album's expedient quality.
