After The Beatles broke up in 1970, all four Beatles released solo albums that year. Ringo Starr released two albums -- Sentimental Journey and Beaucoups of Blues, John Lennon released Plastic Ono Band, McCartney released McCartney, and George Harrison released the best of the bunch: All Things Must Pass, a triple album for the ages.
In case it hadn't already been known, All Things Must Pass showed that George's songwriting was right up there with John and Paul. Co-produced by Harrison and Phil Spector, the album has a wonderful sound, and George had a who's who of '70s rockers contributing to various tracks. Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, Phil Collins, Peter Frampton, Badfinger, pretty much everyone in Derek and The Dominos, and many others joined George at some point on the album.
Needless to say, the result was a masterpiece, and I am not alone when I say that I consider this the best Beatles solo album ever. There's rock, pop, blues, folk, and jams. Sides 1 through 4 are traditional tracks, and then Sides 5 and 6 are entitled "Apple Jam," which is basically recorded jams that the musicians improvised in between recording the songs for Sides 1 through 4.
The album hit #1 in the U.S., the UK, and six other countries. It has gone platinum six times in the U.S, and it produced two of his most enduring hits: "My Sweet Lord" (#1 in the U.S., UK, and seven other countries) and "What Is Life" (#10 in the U.S. and Top 10 in six other countries).
Favorite song from Side 1: "Wah-Wah"
This was the first song recorded for the album, and it was one that George wrote in the song in 1969 after he temporarily left The Beatles. It's basically a diss track aimed at Paul and John (and Yoko) for various reasons, and whether the double entendre was intentional or not, it works, as "I don't need no wah-wah" can be taken as both a dig at his bandmates to stop their crying and complaining, as well as a dig at Paul, who was critical of George's guitar playing (and George was using a wah-wah pedal a lot around this time). Either way, it's a great rocking song, and clearly it wasn't aimed at Ringo, as he played drums on the track. Other guest appearances included: Clapton on electric guitar; Billy Preston and Gary Wright on pianos; Pete Ham, Tom Evans, and Joey Molland of Badfinger on acoustic guitars, and Mike Gibbins from Badfinger on tambourine; Voorman on bass; and Bobby Keys and Jim Price on horns.
Favorite song from Side 2: "What is Life"
This is my favorite song off the album and my favorite George Harrison solo song, period. It starts with a great guitar intro, followed by a blasting horn section, strings, and a driving beat throughout. The song just makes me happy. Originally written by George with Billy Preston in mind, he ended up recording the song himself and making it one of his signature songs. There has always been a debate about whether the song is about a woman or about a higher power, or some combination of both. I have always taken it as a love song, where the narrator doesn't know if he can give his lady everything, but he's going to try, and he defines his life by her presence by his side. And shit, is it catchy.
Favorite song from Side 3: "Awaiting on You All"
"Awaiting On You All" is my second-favorite track on the album. It's a gospel rock song that reflects Harrison's deepening spirituality. Backed by most of the members of Derek and the Dominos -- Eric Clapton, Bobby Whitlock, and Jim Gordon -- as well as Klaus Voormann and Jim Price, Spector's Wall of Sound comes through in full force on this one. I'm not a religious guy, but music is as close to religion as you can get, in my opinion, and this song is just fantastic. Listen to it, and find your inner happiness, wherever that might come from.
Favorite song from Side 4: "Art of Dying"
Another great rock song about spirituality, George began writing "Art of Dying" in 1966, and the song is about reincarnation and how to avoid coming back as something shitty. The backing musicians everyone in Derek and The Dominos (other than Duane Allman), Gary Wright, Billy Preston, Bobby Keys, and Jim Price.
Favorite song from Side 5: "Out of the Blue"
"Out of the Blue" kicks off the Apple Jam portion of the album with a bluesy, soulful, 11+-minute jam, featuring George, Clapton, Jim Gordon, Carl Radle, and Bobby Whitlock from Derek and The Dominos, Gary Wright, Bobby Keys and Jim Price on horns, and Al Aronowitz (who is perhaps best known for introducing The Beatles to Bob Dylan in 1964 and bringing a joint, which was the first time The Beatles smoked pot).
Favorite song from Side 6: "Thanks for the Pepperoni"
This is another great jam, with a great title to boot, paying homage to my favorite pizza topping. Joining George on this track were Dave Mason, Clapton, Gordon, Radle, and Whitlock.
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