George Harrison “All Things Must Pass”

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#418 in the Series)is George Harrison, All Things Must Pass

I know I’ve mentioned the purpose of the Whale Wednesday Series. Yeah, the plan was to feature some of the bigger releases and give them some representation on the site as well.  However I meant that to mean “bigger” in regards to profile or sales etc. I didn’t intend it to mean the actual size of the recording! So here we have one that fits the term ‘Huge’ on a couple fronts. The first of those being that it was recorded by George Harrison along with some well-known friends. The second being how well this was accepted.  All Things Must Pass sold over 6 million units. The third example was the actual physical package. This was a three album set.  This was 1970, I can’t think of too many triple albums in the non-classical field.  I know the band Chicago had a four album about 10 months later and Emerson, Lake and Palmer also had a triple album in 1973.

Yes, this was a triple album, but wasn’t formatted in normal terms. The first four sides were what you’d expect an album to look like. The fifth and six sides contained what would be called “Apple Jams.” Here George and some of his friends would just go off on informal jamming sessions.

It was recorded at two different studios, the first being Abbey Road and the second being Trident Studios also in London.  We know about Abbey Road. Trident also saw its share of fame.  It was the birthplace for David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Queen, Frank Zappa, Dusty Springfield, the Mahavishnu Orchestra and the Plastic Ono Band recorded there along with many others.

“My Sweet Lord” was one of George’s biggest hits, and quite possibly could actually be his most well-known solo song.  The other hit on the album was ‘What is Life.”

We can’t, not mention “Wah-Wha” or a couple of Bob Dylan songs as well. George covers “If Not For You” while “I’ll Have You Anytime’” was co-written with Bob.

My favorite track might be “Beware of Darkness.” I love the live version from The Concert For Bangladesh even better however. Why? Leon Russell, That’s why?

Looking at the “guest lists’ on this album is also quite interesting. You can see the full list below so I’m not going to just write them all here as well, you’re eyes can glance below I’m sure, but there is one name that surprised me considering that this was 1970 and I don’t know who knew this drummer at the time. That would be Phil Collins.  He was one of the drummers that’s listed.

— Larry Carta

Track listing

Side One

1. “I’d Have You Anytime” 2:56
2. “My Sweet Lord” 4:38
3. “Wah-Wah” 5:35
4. “Isn’t It a Pity” 7:08

Side Two

1. “What Is Life” 4:22
2. “If Not for You” 3:29
3. “Behind That Locked Door” 3:05
4. “Let It Down” 4:57
5. “Run of the Mill” 2:49

Side Three

1. “Beware of Darkness” 3:48
2. “Apple Scruffs” 3:04
3. “Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)” 3:46
4. “Awaiting on You All” 2:45
5. “All Things Must Pass” 3:44

Side Four

1. “I Dig Love” 4:55
2. “Art of Dying” 3:37
3. “Isn’t It a Pity (Version 2)” 4:45
4. “Hear Me Lord” 5:46

Side Five (Apple Jam)

1. “Out of the Blue” 11:14
2. “It’s Johnny’s Birthday” 0:49
3. “Plug Me In” 3:18

Side Six (Apple Jam)

1. “I Remember Jeep” 8:07
2. “Thanks for the Pepperoni” 5:31

Personnel

• Guitars: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Dave Mason
• Bass guitar: Klaus Voormann, Carl Radle
• Orchestral arrangements: John Barham
• Keyboards: Gary Wright, Bobby Whitlock, Billy Preston, Gary Brooker
• Drums and percussion: Ringo Starr, Jim Gordon, Alan White, Phil Collins, Ginger Baker
• Harmonica – George Harrison
• Pedal steel guitar (with talk box): Pete Drake
• Tenor saxophone: Bobby Keys
• Trumpet: Jim Price
• Rhythm guitars and percussion: Badfinger

Links

• See more we’ve featured from 1970
• See more we’ve featured from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers
• Back to the Cool Album of the Day, HOMEPAGE