"Thirty Three & 1⁄3" is the seventh studio album by English musician George Harrison, released in November 1976. It marked several important milestones in his career, most notably being his first album released on his own Dark Horse record label. The album's release also signified a shift in distribution from A&M Records to Warner Bros., following Harrison's late delivery of the album’s master tapes. The album was recorded during a challenging period in Harrison’s life, during which he contracted hepatitis and faced a legal battle over his 1970 hit "My Sweet Lord" with Bright Tunes Music, who sued him for copyright infringement. Despite these setbacks, Thirty Three & 1⁄3 contained two successful singles in the U.S. — "This Song" (a playful commentary on the plagiarism lawsuit) and "Crackerbox Palace," which both found chart success.
Musically, the album is considered a return to form for Harrison after a series of less well-received releases in the mid-1970s. Many critics regarded it as his strongest album since All Things Must Pass in 1970, as it featured a more polished, accessible sound, incorporating a mix of rock, pop, and spiritual elements. The album's songs were recorded at Harrison's home studio in Friar Park, with production help from Tom Scott, and it included contributions from several well-known musicians, such as Billy Preston, Gary Wright, Willie Weeks, David Foster, and Alvin Taylor.
The promotional efforts for Thirty Three & 1⁄3 included a series of comedic video clips for the songs, two of which were directed by Monty Python member Eric Idle. Harrison also made several television appearances, including a memorable live performance with Paul Simon on Saturday Night Live. The album was later remastered and reissued in 2004 as part of The Dark Horse Years 1976–1992 collection, following Harrison’s death in 2001. Despite the personal and professional challenges Harrison faced during its production, Thirty Three & 1⁄3 was widely regarded as a successful and creative comeback, reaffirming his talents as a solo artist.
