George Harrison released "All Things Must Pass" in 1970 after he left the Beatles. He already released two solo albums including mainly instrumentals: "Wonderwall Music" (1968) and "Electronic Sound" (1969). This was his chance to show that he could also write music and was always undervalued within the Beatles.
"All Things Must Pass" includes the hit singles "My Sweet Lord" and "What Is Life". The original album included 2 LP's with of solo songs and a third LP including informal jams titled "Apple Jam". While he was still part of the Beatles he worked for the Apple label producing Billy Preston and toured with Eric Clapton for the Delaney Bramlett's soul revue as Delaney & Bonnie and Friends. He was also involved with the Hare Krishna movement embracing Vaishnavist branch of Hinduism in honouring the hindu god Vishnu. Throughout his career he gave spirituality an important place in his life.
 |
| Single cover of "My Sweet Lord" |
THE SONGS
"All Things Must Pass", "Hear Me Lord" and "Let It Down" were first offered to the Beatles during the Get Back recording sessions but Lennon and McCartney rejected these songs.
"All Things Must Pass", "Hear Me Lord" and "Let It Down" were first offered to the Beatles during the Get Back recording sessions but Lennon and McCartney rejected these songs.
"Wah-Wah" is a song about the tensions between the Beatles that ended the band. "Run Of The Mill" is also about the failure of the friendships within the Beatles and the financial problems with Apple Records.
George came up with "What Is Life" when driving to the recording sessons for the Billy Preston album in 1969.
"Behind That Locked Door" was a song to encourage Bob Dylan to continue his music. Dylan inspired George noticable on a song like: "Apple Scruffs" and George covered Dylan's "If Not For You" on the album.
"My Sweet Lord" was an attempt to create a gospel song but became more than that. "Isn't It a Pity" and "Beware of Darkness" include elements of classical indian music.
"Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)" was a tribute to the original owner of Friar Park.
Apple Jam:
It includes one song on which George sings "It's Johnny's Birthday" based on "Congratulations" by Cliff Richard. "I Remember Jeep" refers to Jeep which is Eric Clapton's dog.
It includes one song on which George sings "It's Johnny's Birthday" based on "Congratulations" by Cliff Richard. "I Remember Jeep" refers to Jeep which is Eric Clapton's dog.
 |
| First design for the album cover |
ARTWORK
A first design for the album cover was made by Tom Wilkes which would have present George's love for the spiritual world. George had concerns about having his photograph in the sky, floating above everything else, and about the blonde lady, meant to represent his wife Patti. When Wilkes sensed Harrison was uncomfortable with the image, he suggested that despite the work he’d put into it, they abandon it and just go with a simple color photo of George standing by a window (which eventually came with the album).
The black-and-white cover photo on the front cover was taken on the main lawn at Friar Park by Wilkes' Camouflage Productions partner, Barry Feinstein. George bought Friar Park mansion and gardens in 1970. He started his home recording studio called FPSHOT in the mansion.
 |
| Single cover for "What is Life" |
 |
| Inner photo album cover |
 |
| Photo for the album where George looked like some Gandalf |
 |
| Original album cover |
 |
| Later coloured album cover |
I'd Have You Anytime / My Sweet Lord / Wah-Wah / Isn't It a Pity (Version One) / What Is Life / If Not for You / Behind That Locked Door / Let It Down / Run of the Mill / Beware of Darkness / Apple Scruffs / Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) / Awaiting on You All / All Things Must Pass / I Dig Love / Art of Dying / Isn't It a Pity (Version Two) / Apple Jam: Out of the Blue / It's Johnny's Birthday / Plug Me In / I Remember Jeep / Thanks for the Pepperoni
AUDIO/VIDEO
My Sweet Lord
What Is Life
What Is Life
Let It Down
Isn't It Pity
Tags
George Harrison