Album Review: George Harrison All Things Must Pass [Capitol, November 1970]

George Harrison had made a mark with "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," but few expected a solo offering from “the quiet Beatle” to be the near masterpiece All Things Must Pass turned out to be.

Phil Spector, who produced the record, overcame previous criticisms that a “Phil Spector recording” serves only Phil Spector and not the band: it is incredibly lush but never slick; effortlessly organic and human the way an unpretentious performance from a virtuoso artist should sound.

Harrison himself (his music and his outlook) is the star – but it never feels like it’s about “George Harrison, the guy." John Lennon’s solo album Plastic Ono Band, released only a month later, is full of John Lennon’s demons – he lays them bare and it’s a beautiful and rare thing to experience that kind of intimacy with such a tortured artist. Harrison had demons too – who doesn’t? – but he sings his happiness through and alongside them in songs that were fit for the Beatles but perfect just for George.

A smile can change the sound of a voice – and it’s clear that Harrison was smiling through nearly every moment of this record. What’s a better perk-up than that? Take a listen, you’ll see what I mean.