All Things Must Pass [BOXED EDITION] Reviews

• Harrison Breaks Out

  
  By A1GN8UJIZLCA59 on 2001-01-23
  The original cd release of this album was marred by a muddy and hissy sound that took away from the great music. Finally after years of clamoring from fans, George Harrison has issued a remastered version of his classic All Things Must Pass. The results are outstanding as the songs sound clear and fresh. George Harrison was the Beatle who most immediately benefited from the band's breakup. Mr. Harrison was stifled by the domination of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership and was only allowed a song or two per album. The songs that did appear, like "Taxman", Here Comes The Sun" & "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", showed that he was an excellent songwriter in his own right. When it came time to record his first proper solo album, he released an album of electronic noise called Wonderwall in 1968, he had such a backlog of material it yielded a double album with a third bonus disk. The songs are deeply rooted in the Maharisi's teachings that have been a large part of his life for the past thirty years. Despite the religious musings, the songs have an upbeat, full sound lead by Wall of Sound producer Phil Spector. Although Mr. Spector does sometimes overproduce songs, he makes a song like "My Sweet Lord" that could have been plodding and ponderous into a soaring affirmation. Of course that song was a huge number one hit, but others standouts include the beautiful cover of Bob Dylan's "If Not For You", the nice tribute to fans who hung outside the Apple Records offices, "Apple Scruffs", the yin and yang of "I Dig Love" and "The Art Of Dying" and the rollicking "Wah-Wah". "What Is Life?" may well be the best song he has ever done with it's blaring horns, layered guitars and smooth vocals. The production is classic Wall of Sound harkening back to Mr. Spector's work on Ronettes and Crystals records. The last few songs are from a jam session that included Eric Clapton and made up the bonus disk on the original release. They loose song structures that the band just have fun with. The bonus tracks included on the re-release don't really add much and the "My Sweet Lord 2000" would have been better left unrecorded. The cd booklet is expansive and contains many insights from Mr. Harrison himself. All Things Must Pass was to many a surprise success as they thought that only Paul McCartney and John Lennon would be successful in their post Beatle days. Not only was "My Sweet Lord" the first solo Beatle song to hit number one, but the album also reached the top of the charts and thirty years later still sounds fresh and exciting.
  
  

• George's Greatest!

  
  By A1XP7P3X9MRE5H on 2005-02-14
  "All Things Must Pass" was George Harrison's first real solo album ( the previous only contained instrumentals). Most of the songs were written while the Beatles were still existing, and George was writing so many great songs during the final years of the 1960's that, when the Beales finally folded in early 1970, he had songs enough for a double album. Eventually it turned out to be a triple album, with the 3rd record containing "jams" with George and his good friends, such as Eric Clapton, Dave Mason, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon.
  
  Like most Harrison fans I regard "ATMP" as George finest album. Many of his greatest songs come from this LP. Though there is a great variety of styles and moods on the album, particularly the ballads stand out. Songs like "Isn't It a Pity", "Run of the Mill", "Behind That Locked Door", "Beware of Darkness" and "I'd Have You Anytime" are simply moving. His version of Dylan's "If Not For You" beats Dylan's own version by miles. Among the other up-beat number I especially like "What is Life". The bonus-track "I Live For You" is gem; incredible that this song was not originally included.
  
  A lot of the acoustic guitars are played by Badfinger's Pete Ham and Tom Evans, who were two young very talented song-writers themselves and who had already witten the classic "Without You" at this time. For Pete Ham, who wrote Badfinger' greatest hit-records, Harrison may have been the biggest inspiration among the Beatles. There are many similarities among these two great musicians' songwriting and musical arrangements. Try listen to Badfinger's "Straight Up" album, which was partly produced by George.
  
  This 2 CD set is must have for any Beatles or Badfinger fan!
  
  

• ALL THINGS even better--mostly

  
  By on 2001-01-23
  This remastering with extra tracks of George's 1970 masterpiece is a delight to the ear. Sonically, it's never sounded better, with no hiss and plenty of high end to really bring out the beauty and detail of Phil Spector's lavish production. Some of Harrison's best songs turn up on this album (unsurprising, since he'd been saving them up for several years when John and Paul decided they weren't worth recording as the Beatles). "I'd Have You Anytime", cowritten with Bob Dylan, is a beautiful ballad with a heartbreakingly gorgeous guitar solo. "Isn't It A Pity", which shows up twice, is an epic in the spirit of "Hey Jude", with plenty of strings, guitars, drums, horns and lots of backing vocals. "What Is Life" cooks, with a riff and arrangement similar to "Day Tripper". George's version of "If Not For You" beats Olivia Newton-John's any day. Then there's the (in)famous "My Sweet Lord", which still is an improvement over "He's So Fine" in my book. Not to mention "Beware of Darkness", "Let It Down", "Run of the Mill", "The Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp" and the title track, all classics. The original Side Four (beginning with "I Dig Love" through "Hear Me Lord") is a bit weak, and the "Original Jam" instrumentals (which used to be the "Apple Jam" LP) are *very* weak--you'll listen to these once, maybe twice, unless you're a guitar nut. But on the whole, this is Harrison's finest achievement. The bonus tracks are well worth the reinvestment, too, with "I Live For You" a lovely country-flavored ballad that could've replaced "I Dig Love" on the original release. George's remake of "My Sweet Lord" is a treat, too, although it shows that his voice has become a little worn with age. His liner notes show he's gotten a bit cynical over the years (he complains about Spector's big production job), but they're still intriguing, if somewhat brief.

  This release would get five stars except for three problems: 1. The jam sessions; 2. The preachiness of some of the lyrics--if you don't like listening to someone sing about God, you're in the wrong place here; and 3. The packaging. Despite the presence of some rare and lovely photos, and the new liner notes, the CD's are crammed into two cardboard sleeves, which makes it nearly impossible to remove them without scratching or smudging them. Also, George chose to colorize and alter the cover photo, with some strange and not entirely pleasing results. Fortunately, the original photo is included in the booklet.

  Still, ALL THINGS MUST PASS should probably be the first George Harrison solo purchase for fans. A real classic, now sounding even better!
  
  

• Why has this album been re-issued twice now?

  
  By AWPODHOB4GFWL on 2001-02-09
  In 1970, after the break-up of the Beatles, George Harrison released an unprecedented three album collection. This contains all the songs that were not used by the Beatles and represents not just Harrisons' own great songwriting skills but the collective talents of many others; such as Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Jim Gordon, Klaus Voorman, Billy Preston, Dave Mason, Badfinger and legendary producer Phil Spector who had a great time managing this project. This collection contains 23 original and unique, varied-styled songs along with five great bonus tracks. Standing out among these 'additional tracks' are the demo/instrumentals of "My Sweet Lord" and the great "What Is Life" (a song Harrison refers to as "novelty", but one that contains a magic mood that begs re-listening). The double CD set rounds off with five jam sessions with all the above mentioned artists. The entire repetoire carries forth a mood of tranquility, excitement, moodiness and a solemn atmosphere that transcends most Beatles songs. It is pure George Harrison and perhaps his best piece of work. Not being a 'jewel box' this package may collapse after a few years, as it is boxed exactly like the original three albums were...only smaller. God bless George and Phil for lasting this long to remind us what great music is all about.
  
  

• Desert Island Disc

  
  By AZ6IZYCDP2DTV on 2001-02-15
  Hey, what can one write after 68 (at my point of writing) mostly glowing reviews? Let's put it like that: If in anybody is interesed in knowing what George Harrison is all about, that wonderfully melodious, understated and subtle lead guitarist of the Beatles, and their occasional if highly inspired song-writer, this is the album to get. Harrison, never got any better, or even equalled this feat - "Isn't it a Pity", eh?. In ATMP Harrison, manages the almost impossible, merging very spiritual lyrics with incredibly beautiful music to create a piece of rock or pop history. Normally, religious coverts just sound awfully contrived or corny when singing about their convictions, but Harrison (a converted Hindu of Hare Krishna denomination) comes across as genuine and deeply inspired by his faith, and the songs are so strong, they would have stood out on any Beatles album. George's gone more Hindu than most Indians, but who cares. The music, which is inspired by his faith, makes the hair stand up on your back - the melodies are just beautiful, pure Harrison. Anybody who likes "Something" or "Here Comes the Sun" from "Abbey Road" will love ATMP. Pop melodies don't get better than this. And just a bit of information for die-hard Harrison fans: The song title "Wah-Wah" is a pun, mixing together the word for the wah-wah (the guitar gizmo) with the same-sounding Indian word which means "bravo!" or "great!", in the context of classical Indian concerts. The expression is usually shouted by members of the audience during Indian classical concerts, after especially complex twists of melodies or a very clever play of words, to express their enthusiasm or awe. Don't forget, George knows a bit of classical Indian music. Thus, "You've given me a wah-wah" actually means "you've cheered me on". Trust me, I'm an India freak myself. All things said, to me ATMP is a sort of desert island disc, one of maybe ten records I will never tire of in my life (or in this incarnation, or whatever). In saying that, I of course refer to the "song part" of the album. Forget about those boring, never-ending jams which I don't even listen to anymore - I just zap them away, and I don't even regard them as being part of the "real" ATMP; they were just a gimmick in line with spirit of the times when the album was originally released, and I wouldn't have minded at bit if they had been omitted for the re-release. Still, all in all, this record is a gift from heaven. I don't know about George's spiritual achievements, but to have created such a timeless, wonderful record should certainly give him tons of good karma and possibly prevent him from having to be re-born. Wah-Wah!
  
  
• JUST THE FACTS...
  By A13SIDLKW3H239 on 2001-01-26
  You all already know what music comprises this album so I will just write about the superior sonic quality of this re-issue and the new tracks issued for this release. It is a must have for anyone who enjoyed this album the first time around. Apparently, Harrison re-equalised and worked from the original 2-track master, but you can swear he re-mixed the entire album. The highs are crisper, the lows are punchier. It sounds GGRRREEEAAAT!!! "I LIVE FOR YOU" is far superior to any bootleg cd out their and the most completed version to date. The acoustic only out-takes of "Beware of Darkness" and "Let It Roll" are reminiscient of The Beatles Anthology release of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". The music only mix of "What Is Life?" and the extra cornet horns is interesting but much too busy for the intro. The re-recorded version of "My Sweet Lord (2000)" is an interesting arraingment. To each his own. The liner notes, written by George, are informative and thoughtful as George can be. I just wish he wrote a little more. All in all, the packaging is great with a 20 page booklet containing alternate photos from the original re-lease some 30 years ago! plus lyrics,musicians,ETC. An interesting side note, George mentions a then 19 year-old named Phil Collins playing congas on "The Art Of Dying". This collection is truly fascinating and a aural pleasure!!!! Get it, and PLAY LOUD!!!!!!!!!
  
  
• As Good As The Hype, And More
  By A3Q83VI243WI7U on 2001-01-26
  Harrison had already proved his songwriting worth as a Beatle during their final few years, a growth that culminated in his two dazzling contributions to "Abbey Road". Even so, it came as something of a surprise when his first proper solo work, the triple-album set "All Things Must Pass", managed to both artistically and commercially outshine the initial solo efforts of Lennon and (especially) McCartney, who had belittled his efforts while still in the group. Drawing from an enormous back catalog of rejected Beatle tracks (a list so huge that outside of the 16 which made it onto the album, a further 10 or so--including such gems as "Beautiful Girl", "Mother Divine" and "I Live For You"--remained in the vaults), the dark horse and his willing co-producer Phil Spector fashioned an album of monumental reach, epic scope and lilting emotional beauty which, thirty years later, remains not only Harrison's crowning achievement but arguably still the best

  album from an ex-Fab. Tracks like "Beware Of Darkness", "Run Of The Mill" and "Isn't It A Pity" are fashioned out of spiritual lyrics, silky vocals and cosmic orchestral arrangments which combine to create music that relieved many a heroin addict from his or her affliction, so powerful was their effect. The album seemed effortless and instantly memorable, the third disc of somewhat plodding jam sessions being recognized for what it was (a free bonus not to be considered part of the actual album itself).

  As Harrison states in the remaster's new liner notes, he now wishes to re-do the songs sans the famous "wall of sound"; he gives us a sample of what he means with a rerecorded "My Sweet Lord", which substitutes the strings for more gospel-ish backing vocals and intricate slide guitar work. The acoustic guitars still glisten, and while not an improvement over the original, it is worthwhile nonetheless. Thankfully, the glorious wall of sound is still there on all the old tracks, remastered to sound like the original vinyl for the first time (and perhaps even a bit better); fans have always complained that the mix of the album seemed a bit muddy, and this is as clear as its going to get. I always thought the reverb to be essential to the sound of the album, and here it sounds better than ever. The rest of the bonus tracks are fine, although they could have put on more: "I Live For You" features a lilting pedal steel guitar part, while the acoustic demo for "Let It Down" is given an extra guitar overdub for maximum soothing effect. The "Apple Jam" sessions have been resequenced, and they do sound better in this context (the synth effects in "I Remember Jeep" come out best here). As for the original brown cover being replaced by the concrete and nuclear reactors in the booklet--some say it's Harrison being cynical, but cynicism is always the last refuge of the idealist, no?) Harrison's cynicism here is best expressed as a little joke, as he says, although they still should've reprinted the original brown cover as well!
  
  

• A stunning achievement in 1970 and still a marvel in 2001!
  By A3GQWJGNA3KEU3 on 2001-01-24
  Many of us 40-something Beatlemaniacs thought little of George Harrison. It was not that we did not like him - we did. It was not that he did not have talent - he did. But he always seemed to suffer by comparison with his more glib and publicity friendly mates. Let's face it--Lennon and McCartney were pretty stiff competition.

  What did we know?? Songs like "Something", "Within You Without You", and "Blue Jay Way" should have tipped us off that there was genius there - and only in a band with talents like Lennon and McCartney would it be overlooked.

  With that as a backdrop, the release of "All Things Must Pass" stunned the critics and the public. The two studio LPs (the third was a collection of jams)contained one geat song after another. From the fun of the megahit "My Sweet Lord," to the quiet contemplation of "Isn't It A Pity," to the astonishing beauty of the little known (and my personal favorite) "The Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)", this album just bowls the listener over with evidence of talent and genius. Harrison even holds his own with Bob Dylan in cowriting a song!

  The remastering here only improves the album's sound, which was beautifully engineered in 1970.

  Once again, the re-release of an album from the golden era of rock - and (one of ) the Beatles - shows the sorry state of what passes for popular music today. Sure, it's more fun to look at Britney's belly button and speculate on the origins of her cleavage than it is to gaze upon the cover photo of the dour, unsmiling Harrison here, but does anyone seriously believe that her albums (or those of N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, Eminem, Destiny's Child, TLC, Christina Aguilera, etc.)will be reissued 31 years from now??

  This is real music from a real talent. It is great to have it back.
  
  

• Ahhhhhhhhh!! Sweet Memories
  By A60LOGK0OXX4Q on 2001-02-05
  Remember the Goodle Daze? The days when we all had our "Favorite" Beatle? Mine was George. I just thought that he was the Kewlest. He looked the Best in the Mop Top Hair, he played the Meanest Guitar, he was free of affectations, and he very nicely told off the "Trend Mongers" in "A Hard Days Night".

  When ATMP was released in 1970 I was 14 years old. I remember asking for nothing but this album for Christmas that year! ($10.00 for a triple album, imagine that!)

  I still remember unwrapping and holding it like it was a Treasure handed down from the sky. It immediately became my favorite album and remained so through my college days (sure wish I still had that poster). The roster of friends that helped George of this album is probably the most impressive ever gathered. Eric Clapton (along with the rest of Derek & The Dominos), Badfinger, Ringo, Jim Keltner, and Dave Mason just to name a sampling. According to the Liner notes even Phil Collins made an appearance!

  I hadn't listened to this album in 20 years. I had almost purchased it on CD on a few occasions but had been turned off by reports of poor sound quality. When I heard of this release I purchased it as soon as it became available. Now, 30 years later it has become my favorite album once again! I got a huge kick out of opening the miniature CD box. The colorization and the additions to the inside sleeves show evidence of a slightly twisted sense of humor as well as an acknowledgement of changing times.

  I enjoyed reading the liner notes. I find it very interesting to read George's reflection's upon his 30 year old masterpiece. There is really no need to apologize for the "Wall of Sound" production. That's part of album's charm!

  Most importantly, after 3 decades the music stands on it's own merit! The songwriting, musicianship, and production don't show any evidence to me of being "Good for it's day". Over the years I have purchased many "Beatle Related" releases. This one remains my favorite. Nuff said.
  
  

• Well done, sir.
  By A2R1SKQMT43GT8 on 2001-03-10
  Like most of you who probably had this album when we was fab-- er, when we were kids, "All Things Must Pass" was one of those "gotta have it" albums. Sure, some songs are clearly better than others, and I don't think I played "Apple Jam" on vinyl more than once (admit it, you didn't either).

  This album is every bit as good as you remember it.

  As George says in the liner notes, ATMP is composed of a lot of the songs he wrote in the waning years of the Beatles. (Amazing that he decided not to record "Not Guilty," though, until years later.) And what a busy boy he was!

  Remember how thrilling "My Sweet Lord" was when you first heard it on bad AM radio transmission? Listen to it here in all its glory.

  "What is Life?" An instant hit if I ever heard one--and it was.

  "Beware of Darkness" and "Let it Down" are two of George's best moments ever. The inclusion of their demos is wonderful.

  So, too is a great "Lost Harrison" song, "I Live For You." Mixed so well you can't really tell that the drum track was recorded last year! I also like the recent additions that George made where necessary to some of the other demos.

  Even the remastered "Apple Jam" (Johnny's Birthday, the only song on the Jam disk I ever listened to more than once, has been conveniently moved to first position in the song order of the jam) sounds like the guys were having a hell of a good time.

  Dont pass judgement on the new version of My Sweet Lord until you listen to it a few times. It WILL grow on you, I promise.

  Stop reading and buy this. Even the Packaging is cool!
  
  

• A Paradoxical Masterpiece
  By A3C4LN0DUUYLO2 on 2002-09-14
  With this triumph, George Harrison proved without a shadow of a doubt that he had shed the Beatles years long before the 1970 breakup. His spiritual journey had begun years earlier, yet his uncomfortable status as a Beatle prevented him from releasing these intensely personal songs on a Beatles record. Harrison makes a statement with both lyric and melody with "All Things Must Pass." This collection of songs, most of which were written years earlier and kept in Harrison's hope chest, provide proof of his desire to go beyond what any artist had, or has, in discovery of the meaning of life. Here, George profoundly shed his image as simply a Beatles in grand fashion.

  This album works because we are not hammered with a collection of spiritual songs from his unusual, yet thought provoking personal religious beliefs. There are those strange moments such as with the song "My Sweet Lord" and its references to, in Harrison's own words, a God with many branches known as religions. This mixture of Christianity and Hinduism are odd to say the least, however songs such as "If Not For You" and "What is Life" could just as easily have been crafted for a serious earthly love affair or a spiritual relationship with God. In a way Harrison leaves us confused as to his message but we yearn for more.

  This mystery leads Harrison to ask the listener to contemplate life; to think about life's joys and sorrows, love and disappointment. The slick Wall-of-Sound production quality, provided by Phil Spector, profoundly adds to the spirituality of this gem. Without it, the album would sound like that of an acoustic troubadour rather than a grand creator coming down to greet his creation. Harrison had come a long way since his first released song, "Don't Bother Me."

  The extra tracks on this provide evidence of Spector's wall of sound. With the exception of "My Sweet Lord 2000" and an instrumental version of "Wah Wah", they are a glimpse into the raw acoustic versions of a Spectorless All Things Must Pass. In "My Sweet Lord 2000" Harrison reminds us that he is still spiritual and still growing in his beliefs. No longer is the song simply an odd Christian-Hindu mix. Other religions such as Buddhism appear on "God's Tree". The production of the song takes us back to Harrison's "Cloud 9". It creates a bookend in a way for Harrison's solo career. It began with "My Sweet Lord 1971" and unfortunately ended with "My Sweet Lord 2000". Although his guitar style had changed his belief structure had changed relatively little.

  Originally this was a three LP set. In CD form the Apple Jam session seems somewhat out of place. It may have been simple filler in those vinyl days as Harrison had exhausted his treasure chest of stored compositions.

  Harrison dips his toe in the spiritual waters in this collection giving his audience reason to search for more. It is one of three Harrison offerings providing a look into his personal beliefs. Unfortunately the next two would shatter the myth that Harrison's spirituality could meld with his music in harmony.

  This album stands alone without resting on the foundation built by the Beatles. It is truly a timeless classic and an autobiography of an incredible life ended too soon.
  
  

• Never was a digital remastering more welcome
  By AYTGG6XTVUG7G on 2001-02-16
  A few years ago I brought out my aging vinyl copy of George Harrison's masterpiece, "All Things Must Pass" from its longtime resting place with my many other hoary sixties' and seventies' era lp's. The reason was that the ten-year-old daughter of a good friend of mine had emerged as a devoted fan of George, this after having abandoned the Spice Girls for the Beatles during the previous six months (yesssss!!) In an impulsive act of magnanimity, I decided to buy the cd version of the album and then to donate the old vinyl copy to this nascent Harrison fan.

  Big mistake! This was not so because I regretted bringing a smile to a little girl's face, but because the quality of the cd remastering of "All Things Must Pass" was so very, very awful. And "awful" doesn't come close to capturing the flat, murky, indifferent nature of the mixing that was done the first time the album was put on cd. Listening to this abomination, I almost cried, and I vowed to write to EMI to ask, nay, BEG them to remaster "All Things Must Pass."

  I'm sure I wasn't the only one to make this request, so I am hardly going to claim credit for the miracle that followed. But yes, the album has been remastered, and this time they did a fine job, indeed, restoring this complex sonic masterpiece to its original glory, including a fine rendition of the famous Phil Spector "wall of sound." Thank you!

  Here once again we have all of those musical gems from 1970: "My Sweet Lord" (or is it "He's So Fine" remixed, hehe?), "Isn't it a Pity" (twice), the delightful "Apple Scruffs," the hypnotic "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp," and the rave-up masterpiece, "Awaiting On You All," complete with its classic jibe at the Pope ("owns 51% of General Motors"). Perfection!

  To top off this wondrous musical development, some additional tracks and rerecordings have been added, including a new mix of "My Sweet Lord" that features some gorgeous guitar licks that I can only assume are George's. The cd set is also packaged gorgeously, and include some thoughtful and reflective liner notes from Harrison himself. These (and lots more fun features) are included at that a fascinating and sophisticatedweb site devoted to the album, aptly named www.allthingsmustpass.com. Check it out!

  It can be debated endlessly whether this is THE BEST post-Beatles work by one of the original fab four, but it sure is one of the top few. Thirty-plus years later, it remains a musical and lyrical masterpiece.
  
  

• 30 years later....
  By ATGCD2P0OL176 on 2001-01-30
  30 years ago today, I rec'd ALL THINGS MUST PASS for my 14th birthday. Today I got it for myself and my 44th birthday. 30 years make many changes, but yet things are the same. The songs on this album are powerful, as are the musicians. A most interesting aspect about this re-issue is the packaging. As we do in life, the cover photo goes thru some changes. The liner notes are very interesting, thanking people 30 years later for their contribution to the record, much like we sometimes do in life. George thanks his friends and remembers those who are no longer with us. He questions the neccesity of the wall of sound, but yet this remaster brings it out, and then George thanks Phil Spector for it.

  I remember listening to this 30 years ago for the first time on vinyl. This was an era where real musicians played real instruments. Many years later I bought the CD. Now I have this version and it is awesome! The brightness of the sound is immediately noticable. Of course there's My Sweet Lord and What Is Life?; two epic classics, but many listeners will find other songs may be their favorites. The great chord structure of Beware Of Darkenss and the haunting aura of Isn't It A Pity? are sure to be favorites. There are so many songs to choose from. The My Sweet Lord 2000 is a nice remake, with dramatic differences from the original, but yet not that far from it,complete with samples. The more things change, the more they are the same 30 years later.

  If you like the original ALL THINGS MUST PASS, you'll LOVE this one.
  
  

• Living in The Material World w/ Gnomes
  By A280GY5UVUS2QH on 2001-11-20
  This two disc set has a lot of heavy eastern thought running through it but mixed in are some light songs as well which are very welcome. "I Dig Love" for one. "Apple Scruffs" another. My favorite song of the set has always been "Beware of Darkness", George's voice and guitar never sounded so good. Some of the songs have grown on me over the years and some have not. Upon first hearing it the sound is very impressive but after a few listens you start picking out the best songs and skipping some of the less appealing songs. Masterpiece it is, in places, but not the whole thing. After already getting a dose of the sweet lord on the hit "My Sweet Lord" and another dose on his other hit love song to the lord "What is Life" the Indian thing begins to wear you down by disc two and it is a little forced upon you in places. The rockin numbers of the Apple Jam are not to be missed, though I wish those rockin numbers had been interspersed throughout the record. It certainly is a one of a kind record and any Beatle fan will want to own a copy. George Harrison solo records are for the most part not really all that exceptional, this was the first and by a long long long shot the best.
  
  
• George's first and best album
  By A2J9Q2LBD76305 on 2001-01-25
  George Harrison has never been able to top the greatness he acheived with his first album All things must Pass. In this remastered version the sound is greatly improved from previous versions of the CD, which sounded muddy and lifeless.The new packaging is also a nice surprise. Many great songs such as My Sweet Lord and What is Life made this a number 1 best seller when first released in December of 1970. If your going to own just one George CD this is the one!
  
  
• A MASTERPIECE deserving to be discovered and RE-discovered
  By A1NPHZUMV2Y5KB on 2001-02-04
  Yes, the Beatles still rule the world -- most of the time, the credit goes to Lennon and McCartney. But this album shows there was a third musical force to be reckoned with in the band. Strangely, though, too many people don't seem to know about George Harrison or give him his due, and that includes this must-buy masterpiece, which Capitol finally re-issued in a much-improved sonic package. This re-issue glistens and rocks, with mush honesty, passion and superb songwriting and musicianship throughout. "Wah-Wah," "Hear Me Lord" and "Art of Dying" are just three samples of forgotten gems. And I always loved "Isn't It A Pity" more than "My Sweet Lord," the flip side of the two-sided No. 1 hit in 1970/71... As far as the bonus tracks go, "I Live For You" is a welcome addition, the raw, stripped-down demos for "Beware of Darkness" and "Let It Down" indicate the quality of songwriting on this album and the new version of "My Sweet Lord," while taking time to get used to, tends to become less-disappointing with every listen. And new color graphics show George still has a wicked sense of humor, while making a grand statement about how the world has changed in 30 years.

  I have for years been a loyal devotee of George Harrison's music and remain on a mission to get people to open up their ears and listen with an open mind... "All Things Must Pass" began that missionary work, which I have always been steadfast about. Buy one copy for yourself and one for a friend or relative who you think might want to discover this absolute treasure for themselves.
  
  

• One of the best albums of all time!
  By AAPN3I6A64R0Y on 2001-11-15
  George Harrison was tremendously underrated. When you have to compete with the likes of Lennon/Mccartney I guess that goes with the territory. It's no suprise that George, the Quiet Beatle, was the first to release a solo album (69's Wonderwall Music). This album however is much more than just a Beatle solo record, it's a record of a great singer/songwriter. It's evident on the triple album that George wasn't one for extravigant pretense. All the arrangements presented here a stripped down, emotional. George really knows how to play for the song and not his own self indulgance. George is also a heavily underrated guitarist. He may not play the fastest or the loudest, but his tone and phrasing and intuitive sense of melody are sublime. THe themes of the record ( religion/spirituality,love,and getting on with ones life) are timeless. no wonder this album sounds as fresh today as it did back then and no wonder modern bands such as Live and Creed are continuing to explore these themes. This is a record that any true music enthusiast must have in their collection.
  
  
• The Greatest Album of all Time
  By on 2006-02-11
  I mean what I say. This is the greatest album of all time.
  
  George was better after he was a Beatle. That's somethings you can't say about John, Paul, and most definetly Ringo.
  
  George did have some great songs when he was a Beatle. He did the best Beatles song "Something." He also did the amazing "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" and my personal favorite "IF I Needed Someone."
  
  But the other Beatles held him back. He expresses that in many of the songs on this album. Could "Wah-Wah" be about Paul McCartney? "All Things Must Pass" could mean what it says. That song doesn't sound pessimistic at all. "The darkness only stays at nighttime." Perhaps he was talking about being a Beatle.
  
  This is a great album. Consider "What is Life." That is a Great song. The guitar work is perfect. I'm listening to it right now and I've probably hit the repeat button at least three times.
  
  Not only is this a great album. It is the greatest album.
  
  
• A Great, Uplifting Album Worth Revisiting
  By A2PH5Z4M4UZWOL on 2001-01-29
  One of the most enjoyable things about the re-release of re-mastered editions of albums, such as this, is the opportunity to revisit music you have not heard in years to see if it still holds up-this CD does, remarkably well. The sound on this new, re-mastered edition is clear and fresh.

  Thirty years after its initial release it may be hard to remember the impact this album had. In the wake of the break-up of the Beatles in 1970, both John Lennon (in his solo LP "Plastic Ono Band") and Paul McCartney (in his album "McCartney") had moved away from the Beatles both musically and philosophically. Lennon had rejected the myth of the Beatles in songs such as "God" ("I don't believe in Beatles") and Paul had made a modest, home made solo album that backed off considerably from the ambitious, musical suites of both "Sgt. Pepper's" and "Abbey Road."

  Although George had his biggest Beatle-hit with "Something" in 1969, "All Things Must Pass" came as nothing short of a revelation when it was first released as 3 record set in 1970. Of all the initial solo work of the Beatles, this was the only album that seemed to embrace the sound and musical outlook of the Beatles. At the same time, George, released from the restrictions of the Fab Four, was able to fully express his new found spiritual awakening in songs such as "My Sweet Lord" (a number one hit) and "Awaiting on You All."

  George has now supervised (and written annotations for) a digitally re-mastered, re-release of this seminal 1970s album. While this is clearly George on his own, it is apparent that he had listened and learned from Lennon and McCartney.

  Every song on this album is confidently performed with memorable, and often subtle, melodies and riffs. The album opens with "I'd Have You Anytime" with its quiet, opening vocals and a beautifully played and tasteful guitar line (by Eric Clapton?). "My Sweet Lord" follows with George's hear-felt and impassioned vocals-this song is irresistibly catchy and moving. The quality of the music and the songs just gets stronger from song to song and CD to CD.

  George's spiritual confessions are both personal and heartfelt, rather than preachy. Although George was often labeled the "serious" Beatle, there are touches of humor throughout the album--the sound effects on "Wah-Wah" and his fun and loving tribute to Beatles hanger-ons in "Apple Scruffs." Even the lengthy jams at the end of disc 2 (with members of Cream and Derek and the Dominos) are fun and more interesting musically than I remember them being at the time.

  The influence of the Beatles sound is found throughout the album. "Isn't It a Pity" echoes the "White Album" and themes of love often explored by John Lennon. "Behind that Locked Door" (even with its country sound) reminds one of the simple, beautiful melodies of Paul McCartney. "The Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)" contains a subtle organ sound reminiscent of "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" (from "Sgt. Pepper's") and a haunting, melodious piano figure. The title song is uplifting and Beatlesque without being simple-minded. George has skillfully and confidently brought all these influences together to form an original and personal album of music.

  A Note on the Additional Tracks: The first of this 2 CD set contains 5 additional, unreleased tracks not on the original album. These tracks appear carefully selected and the listener is (thankfully) not inundated with endless outtakes and unreleased material. "I Live For You" is a country-tinged song with some nice pedal steel guitar by Pete Drake. Next is a demo of "Beware of Darkness" played for producer Phil Spector which George states, in the liner notes, he was unaware was being recorded. In addition to slightly different lyrics, the listener sees what a fully realized song this was even before it was recorded. The demo of "Let It Down" emphasizes its lilting melody while the backing track to "What is Life" is sans vocals and with some added or emphasized horn parts. The fifth track is a re-recording of "My Sweet Lord" ["My Sweet Lord (2000)"]. It seems to have some of the original backing track with new vocals by George and Sam Brown as well as new guitar work by Dhani Harrison.

  A Note on the Packaging: There is an 18 page booklet with a 4 page reflection by Harrison (acknowledging the contributions of Eric Clapton and Phil Collins), a roster of musicians who played on the album (but not on a song-by-song basis unfortunately), the original lyrics, commentaries on the five additional tracks, and contemporary and period photographs of Harrison.

  Furthermore, the two discs are in their own individual, cardboard slipcases. Each slipcase has a colorized version of the original album cover with added background scenes that are a sly commentary on our modern, urban life. The entire package is in box that replicates the look of the original album. The cover has been colorized under the supervision of Harrison and the original artists. Rather than an attempt to make the cover photo "contemporary," Harrison, as he says in the booklet, is just trying to "have a bit of fun with the package"-it works.

  In this era of ugly and often narcissistic music, this is a collection of timeless and uplifting songs worth revisiting again and again.
  
  

• With Love, From George
  By AOWT5MRDPDX1Z on 2001-02-07
  This is such a wonderful album. I never got around to buying the previously released CD version of it (and, reading the comments of many other reviewers, it looks like this was a good thing on my part), so what I've had all these many years is the original vinyl, worn away and full of surface noise. (Remember the orange colored Apple labels?) In approaching a review of this new release, one must appreciate what it is, and be mindful of its place in history. This is an explosion of George Harrison's material written while he was Beatle George, squeezed out of the way by the behemoth of Lennon/McCartney and the quantity (and quality) of their songs. And, in a very real way, this feels a lot like a Beatle album, much more than any of the other Beatles early solo work. Ringo is there, and Phil Spector, coming off the Let it Be LP. But now George is the front man, and this was his chance to shine in the spotlight, to prove that his songs were just as good, just as great, if only they were given the chance to be heard. And with the world-wide sensation of "My Sweet Lord", who could argue with that premise? This was a well-received offering, with great stuff still on the way (such as the amazing "Living in the Material World").

  The key issue with "All Things Must Pass" is a perception, based on the opinions of so-called music "experts", that time has not treated it very well. The songs are dated, they say; that it feels like a museum piece. It's a human nature thing, I guess; say something enough and people just start believing it. And, based on the liner notes, George himself is no exception. He speaks of production that "seemed appropriate at the time" and how difficult it was to resist re-mixing every track for the CD package. What comes across is how precious this album is to him, and how desperately he wants to preserve it for history - to undo the "crime" of that damn production. He has struggled, it seems, with how much he should tamper with it. For George, these are songs that he thinks of a certain way, and the Spectorized treatment of them does not always match with his own perceptions. He tries to clue us in to this with the bonus tracks included on the first CD. He has rid these tracks of ALL reverb whatsoever - the production is very raw. As if he's saying, "See, this is what it really should sound like". It is interesting to think of how it all could be different - if you listen to "I Live For You", the logical extension is to think of how a song like "Awaiting On You All", a titanic wall of sound if there ever was one, would fare with the alternative treatment.

  The fact is, though, that this is all a bunch of nonsense.

  The songs sound great - or rather, the great songs sound great. "I'd Have You Anytime", "My Sweet Lord", "Beware of Darkness", "All Things Must Pass", just to name the most obvious, are simply perfect. Any other production would be a detriment, contrary to the prevailing school of thought. And that's one key point: this is not a perfect album. MOST of the songs are good or great, but not all, and no matter what the production the lessor tunes were not headed for immortality. If I had the chance to talk to George myself, I'd tell him to let it go - this is a beautiful record, warts and all (as they say), and there's no need to change a thing. What comes to mind is something Duke Ellington said in a film clip in the last installment of the Ken Burns "Jazz" program. When asked what piece of music of his was his favorite, he instantly replied, "The one I'm writing tomorrow, always!" Go out and make another masterpiece tomorrow, George, and be proud of All Things Must Pass for the great achievement it is. Let it be.

  There's also been a little talk about the paucity of liner notes from George. But frankly, I'm a member of the "enough anthologies" crowd. There's no need to put this under the microscope and dissect it. Just listen to the music - that's the message. The minimalism makes the little things, like George poking fun at his Liverpudlian accent, "Let your `hur' hang all around me", stand out a little more. And the cover on the booklet, with the freeway, skyscrapers and nuclear towers? - hysterical! How very, well, Beatle-esque!

  One additional note: if you were looking for the lyrics for that one verse in "Awaiting On You All", you won't find it. Radio announcer Richard Neer will still always be able to find work answering that bit of trivia!

  All in all, a loving treatment of a great record by George Harrison.
  
  

• George's Masterwork
  By A1J03J0HZ7KU5T on 2001-02-07
  The remastered "All Things Must Pass" (1970) has been long overdue. It remains George Harrison's finest recording and one of the few truly outstanding Beatle solo albums. Harrison gave new meaning to producer Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" with this lavish production. The reissue sounds terrific and the bonus tracks (particularly the Dylan-influenced "I Live For You") are most welcome, even though they should have been sequenced at the very end.
  
  
• Still a grand statement -- 30 years later
  By A2FWROZC0I166P on 2001-01-24
  When the "Quiet Beatle" finally spoke up in 1970, fans learned he had quite a lot to say. He still does, thanks to this sparkling reissue of his masterpiece "All Things Must Pass." One look at the cover of the environmentally friendly cardboard box,and you know that there will be a few new wrinkles to this package.

  First of all, there's the remastering -- very nice, a sparkling kind of sound that keeps the breathtaking Phil Spector production fairly intact. Then there are the songs: the hits "My Sweet Lord" and "What Is Life," definitely not your standard pop music fare (but then, nothing any of the Beatles did after 1965, together or apart, was your standard pop fare). Add into the mix such choice cuts as "Isn't It a Pity" (two versions), the roaring "Wah Wah", "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp," and the rousing "Apple Scruffs" and you've got quite a collection. All right, maybe some of the spiritually tinged lyrics haven't aged well, even into and out of New Age passing fads, but you've got to understand this was (is) an epic undertaking in its day, both musically and spiritually.

  Of the new tracks, two are stripped-down demos (brings to mind some of the scenes from the movie "Let It Be"), one is a backing track of "What Is Life" with funny little horn parts and another, "I Live For You" is a bona-fide reject from the original album. The mid-tempo tune has a cool steel guitar part from Pete Drake. The other new offering is "My Sweet Lord (2000)" which, while interesting, won't keep you away from the original. Harrison strips down this classic too, and gives us a taste of his current singing style.

  The final attraction of this new package is the re-ordered all-star "Apple Jam" that took up one whole LP of the original set. With big names like Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Ginger Baker, et. al., it's nice background music but a good history lesson for the young ones -- all the best albums had a "jam" on it in those days.

  Overall, a very worthwhile package for Beatles fans and rock fans in general. Man, this brings back some memories.
  
  

• All Good Things Must See The Light of Day Again
  By ABU7I2Z9M0Q5I on 2001-02-21
  This is an old treasure I hadn't listed to for years. Now that I have it on CD I find myself playing it over and over. As others have commented, this is George's best work. Indeed, I'd say all of the songs here (excepting the new outtakes and the jams) match anything he's put on a Beatles album. they certainly would have been worthy as Beatles songs. Unfortunately, it's probably true, as George has said, the band didn't spend has much time on his songs as they did on those of his oh-so-brilliant mates, Lennon and McCartney. But with All Things Must Pass, considerable effort was spent on making the songs; and it shows.

  The songs are melodious, sincere and unpretentious. There's a sense of honest expression here but, unlike with Lennon, who's honesty was sometimes bitter and sarcastic, Harrison comes across as heartfelt, human, sometimes profound. There's an overriding religious theme to this album but it isn't overbearing nor does it interfere with the good music. Many songs are simply words of wisdom on living, for example: "The love you are blessed with/This world's waiting for/So let out your heart please, please/From behind that locked door."

  In my book, Harrison was one of the very few rock guitarists who could play slide and play it well (D. Allman & J. Walsh also come to mind); his pure slide is in abundance on this recording. How many popular songs do you know where you can whistle or hum the lead guitar part? "My Sweet Lord" is indelibly ingrained in our musical consciousness. The lead is a pretty melody played elegantly. Other less known songs, such as "I'd Have you Anytime," also have this feature.

  I'm not a fan of outtakes in general, asking: why weren't they included in the original? Usually it's rather evident. My opinion doesn't change here. With the exception of the previously unreleased, "I Live for You," the add'l alternate takes don't add anything. But they don't need to for the original 18 songs (not counting the uninspired jams) are a pleasure to listen to time and time again. George Harrison's songwriting really hit a peak on All Things Must Pass. And in every other way, it's one of the finest of the Beatle solos or of all the great recordings that came out in 1970.
  
  

• Better than Lennon or McCartney
  By on 2003-05-26
  All Things Must Pass is an excellent album put together by the most under rated artist ever. The album consists of several songs that you will never get sick of. This is a CD that you will listen to many times and still feel the original pizzaz when you first bought it. While it is easy listening and calm, All Things Must Pass still has that rock and roll characeristic to it that I love. This CD is better than all of Paul McCartney's and John Lennon's solo careers combined. YOU MUST GET THIS.
  
  
• Sounds Better Than Ever
  By on 2001-02-19
  When the original triple album boxed set first came out, I remember how it shocked so many people. Lennon & McCartney were supposed to be the Beatles who had all the song writing and singing talent. We had had clues of Harrison's talent with songs like "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Something", but this release showed his greatness. For me, a lifelong Beatles fan, this re-issue was worth the purchase if only for the new verison of "My Sweet Lord". Of course, like so many re-issues done on CD, the quality is so much greater, I heard instruments and sounds I'd never noticed on the albums or cassettes. The packaging is great and the photos contained in the booklet are fabulous. For Beatles fans, this is a must!
  
  
• George Harrison's Masterpiece
  By A2BE1X9XTKR0ZL on 2001-06-06
  This album is absolutely wonderful. It would be excellent for any Rock and Roll fan. After hearing this album it kind of makes sense why Harrison would have wanted to leave The Beatles with all this terrific material.

  To me every song is a delight, but "My Sweet Lord", "Wah-Wah"(Awesome guitar in this one), "Isn't it a Pity", and "Let it Down" are standouts on the first disc. "Apple Scruffs", "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp", and "All Things Must Pass" are the best tracks on the second disc. All the songs are a joy to listen to though for sure.

  The Jams at the end of the second disc are pretty good as well especially if you like guitar solos. Eric Clapton played in many of the Jams and some of the songs on the album.

  The last thing I will brag about is the packaging. I've heard people say it's hard to get the discs out, but it's not difficult at all. The box is very unique with a soft texture that I've never seen on CD packaging before.

  This album is a definite buy for any music fan. I almost want to buy it twice.
  
  

• THE QUIET BEATLE SPEAKS OUT!!!
  By A1G9IV3IBW8WMP on 2002-06-02
  By the time the Beatles had broken up in 1970, George Harrison was already working on his first official solo album (His Wonderwall and Electronic Sound projects were instrumental not solo recordings) 'All Things Must Pass'. When with the Beatles, George was generally given two songs on each album therefore he had tons of songs in the can for his 1970 solo debut. It was already evident that George was a master songwriter with such Beatles track as 'Something' and 'Here Comes The Sun'. All Things Must Pass could very well be considered the finest Beatles solo album.

  The album starts off on a slow note with the beautiful I'D HAVE YOU ANYTIME but quickly kicks into the hit MY SWEET LORD. WAH-WAH and WHAT IS LIFE are wonderful up beat rockers. ISN'T IT A PITY was the double sided hit (with MY SWEET LORD) though I find it a tad long and depressing. IF NOT FOR YOU and BEHIND THAT LOCKED DOOR show Harrsion's country rock side. LET IT DOWN is a beautiful tune and RUN OF THE MILL has some nice guitar work. The bonus tracks on disc 1 are quite impressive. I LIVE FOR YOU is rather quirky and WHAT IS LIFE is just the backing track but BEWARE OF DARKNESS and LET IT DOWN are wonderful acoustic takes and MY SWEET LORD(2000) has some improved guitar work but Harrsion's vocals are a little worn still worth a listen though.

  The second disc starts with an easy going BEWARE OF DARKNESS. APPLE SCRUFFS is fun. BALLAD OF SIR FRANKIE CRISP(LET IT ROLL) has a folky feeling to it and AWAITING ON YOU ALL is another up beat rocker. The title track ALL THINGS MUST PASS is a beautiful anthem. I DOIG LOVE is a quirky piano number. ART OF DYING is another rocker. ISN'T IT A PITY (VERSION 2) is a nice reprise and HEAR ME LORD is the wonderful album closer.

  I have neglected to metion the APPLE JAM. Now don't get me wrong it is okay to listen to once! However I find it rather annoying and boring. It is not something I would listen to repeatedly but it does have some good guitar despite it's rather shoddy quality.

  The 2001 reissue of this fantastic album has special packaging to replicate the original vinyl LP record. However if you want to store these cd's safely purchase a double cd case or cd carrier along with this album. It would be more appropriate than the little cardboard slots that hold the cd's.

  Overall All Things Must Pass is an essential album of 1970. Harrsion may have produced the best Beatles solo album ever! It was unfortunate that he passed away but thankfully he left us this remastered marvel of musical genius. Thank you George! God speed! Highly recommended!
  
  

• ...all those years ago
  By A2D0PI4CACTE7I on 2001-08-09
  On a Today show interview in 2001, Ringo Starr was asked "Are there any of today's musicians you would like to work with?" Ringo's laconic reply was "No." Listening to this remastered version of "All Things Must Pass," it's not hard to figure out why; after working on this with George Harrison and the other musicians on here, what else would you need? There really isn't any music this good being made by any current "rock groups."

  This is an elegant, ornate album, with many, many brilliant songs. George would never hit such a pinnacle again (although many of his solo albums have great songs). Apparently being denied the opportunity to have his songs put on the Beatles' albums was beneficial to George in the long run.

  "All Things Must Pass" is expansively melodic and richly detailed, and the remastering does perfect justice to these moody, atmospheric songs. That should be recommendation enough to get it. The extra songs, including George's revision of "My Sweet Lord," are nice but ultimately unnecessary; the essence of this CD is still George's original album. It was his declaration of independence from The Beatles, his introduction of his new self into what was then a new decade, and most touchingly, his declaration of love for his Lord Krishna. We may not share his beliefs, and some closed-minded souls may have a problem with the richness of the production in this postmodern era, but the passion and beauty of George's music comes through powerfully all these years later. And in comparison to the work of most so-called "musicians" these days, it still outshines all but a very, very few.
  
  

• A definitive 70's Classic-A Must Have
  By AQ75S7221N12Z on 2001-12-04
  George Harrison, the quiet one, managed to put out argueably the best of the Solo Beatle efforts with this album. This also shows him as a completely unique talent on his own. He also "networked" better with the muscial talent surrounding him as evidenced by the "sidemen" on this album, including ERIC CLAPTON, Dave Mason (Traffic, Mad Dogs), Billy Preston, (the fifth Beatle and the super rhythm section of the day with Jim Gordon and Klaus Voorman.

  Some of the tracks like "All Things Must Pass" were written during his Beatle days, and also appears in their "History" series. The huge hit and first #1 solo Beatle record "My Sweet Lord" appears, as well as his other top ten hit (and total un-beatlesque) "What Is Life". Other strong cuts include Bob Dylans "If Not For You", FM Radio Staples "Beware of Darkness" and and "Wah Wah" and the two versions of the classic "Isn't ItA Pity", (Flip Side to My Sweet Lord".

  This multi-CD set includes the famous "JAM SESSION LP" with songs such as "I Remember Jeep" ands "Johnny's Birthday". This moves the album from great to a classic artifact.

  This is wat I recommend:

  Place all three CD's in your CD Changer
  Light 4 scented Flicking Candles
  Light up some incense.
  Turn on the Black Light. Turn off other lights
  Start Player
  Close Your Eyes and Just Listen

  We will miss George Harrison. This CD set will give all an example of why.
  
  

• The real deal
  By APNTBF5Z6E0S on 2006-02-01
  All Things Must Pass is the best post-Beatles album. There are several high points, such as "What is Life," "Apple Scruffs," and "My Sweet Lord." The sound is bright, bold, and gorgeous from beginning to end. To me the high point of this collection is the vastly underrated love song, "If Not For You." To me it's as moving as "Something," his #1 smash he released with the Beatles in 1969, and might be the most overlooked love song in rock and roll history. The only post Beatles album that comes close to this in quality is the latest from Paul McCartney (Chaos and Creation in the Backyeard). Paul and John's solo careers might have been more successful than George's, but All Things Must Pass was the high point of any of the post-Beatles solo releases.
  
  

• Imagine
• The Beatles (The White Album)
• John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
• The Best of George Harrison
• Abbey Road