Okay I'm sure a lot of people are wondering about my thoughts on the 50th Anniversary mixes, I decided not to do a separate review of it myself. I usually don't get into these rerelease editions anyway, I'd rather just listen to the album that way it was released unless the artist / band themselves specifically take the initiative to do it. In my critical opinion, I'm not a fan of the new mixes. It was a great idea to do dry versions of the songs without Phil Spector's wall of reverb, but the execution didn't live up to standards. I found the mixes to be very muddy, especially in the drums and bass, the guitars and keyboards not having a lot of resonance and the vocals (like most modern mixes) being way out in front and sounding separated from the mix. While I did find some of it interesting to pick out parts I didn't know were there (the slide solo in "What is Life" some harmonies in "Wah-Wah", percussion in "My Sweet Lord") the performance just sounds so much more lively on my original vinyl and 30th anniversary CD set. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Phil Spector's mix is the better way to listen to this album. As the old saying goes be careful what you wish for.
Bravoooooo. Very good! Both at singing and playing. So happy to see how much you value the music of George Harrison while most of the people even ignore him and his music. Very very and wrongly underrated!
I'm interested to know why Apple Scruffs might be considered weird. Perhaps you don't know that it's a song about the girls who used to hang around outside Abbey Road studios, waiting for a glimpse of the Beatles.
I'm not a religious person, but to me the best of George's songs are what prayers should sound like. I went to the beach at dawn yesterday and sang "All Things Must Pass" to myself; I think I'll always be awestruck by George's music and lyrics.
Apple Scruffs is a great song!! George plays all instruments and does all the singing , background as well... Apple Scruffs are the fans that hang out at Apple Studios. The Beatles named them Apple Scruffs! I had this album new back in 1970. Awesome! I played it over and over... The Jam album, a couple of times. But to me, it's hard to pick a fav, I love em all!!!! 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂🚶
It was impossible to compete with Lennon and McCartney who were arguably the greatest song writers of the second half of the 20th century. George Martin and EMI/ Capital Records realized that they had struck gold with The Beatles and the albums and hits they churned out were unprecedented. George started to get his song writing chops once the band stopped touring in 1966 and from that moment on he wrote some of their most memorable songs as a Beatle and then after their breakup.
I'd have to say my favorite is "My Sweet Lord" because there is no denying its greatness. But I do defend "Apple Scruffs" and I really think "I'd Have You Anytime" is underrated.
LOVE this classic album. All Things Must Pass, Isn't it a Pity, Beware of Darkness (you're right, especially relevant today!), the irresistible Wah-Wah are all my favs but there are many more gems. It really is a treasure trove of delights.
What is Life and Awaiting on you all are amazing tracks. I've also started to appreciate Let it down more recently as well. The first minute of it sounds almost like an unused track from Dark Side of the Moon
My favorite song on "All Things Must Pass" is every single song on "All Things Must Pass." Arguably my favorite album of all time. And with that I think I'm subscribing.
Great review!! For my favorite tracks, I’d have to go with the title track, Isn’t it a Pity, What is Life, Wah-Wah, and The Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let it Roll), which is a song I never really hear people talk about for some reason.
I was 20 in 1970...and today I was out for a hike and Hear Me Lord came on and it just about brought me to tears. Jim Gordon’s drumming is amazing and for one song anyway the Wall Of Sound really worked.
Great review! I bought this album when it was brand new and I was a teenager. The Beatles had just broken up, Paul McCartney had just released a rather decent album with one really great song on it ("Maybe I'm Amazed"), John was doing weird stuff with Yoko and Ringo was releasing albums of old standards and country tunes that I had no interest in. So along comes George with a triple album, with his massive hit "My Sweet Lord" on it, soooo I dug deep into my pocket and splurged on what was a pretty expensive album for a kid still in high school. And I was absolutely blown away by what I heard. Just one great song after another -- including his masterpiece "Isn't It A Pity" (although I wasn't quite sure why there needed to be a 2nd version of it lol). Now, over half-a-century later, it's still one of my all-time favourite albums and definitely ranks well alongside my Beatles albums... even if it does start to run out of steam a bit on Side 4. And the Apple Jam only gets played about once every other decade.
i love his early takes album soo much because the songs are so raw and beautiful, it takes away some of the overproduction of this album (which i still love)
The comment about your Dad reminds me of something I would do. This lp I recieved on Christmas in 1970. At that age I wasn't sure about Behind That Locked Door and Isn't It a Pity- both too slow for my 10 year old ears. But, even then I knew I loved this record and it remains the best of the post Beatle efforts. Beware of Darkness and the title track are 2 of best songs ever made.
I actually really like the wall of sound on Wah Wah, especially the 2020 mix with the vocals more upfront. It just feels like the explosion of emotion and empowerment of finally cutting out something getting you down from your life, which is always how I read the song.
These songs got rejected from the "Let It Be" album because it would make John and Paul's material should like shit in comparison. George got his revenge on "Abbey Road" as he landed not one but two masterpieces on the record. Paul's answer was "Maxwell's Silver Hammer". John did better with "Come Together", the only real contender against "Something" and "Here Comes The Sun".
I think Paul's answer was The Abbey Road Medley which is actually my favorite thing they ever did. Although "Something" and "Here Comes the SUN" are masterpieces.
None of them were rejected by Let it Be. George wasn’t confident they would sound good live which was the original plan. Abbey Road wasn’t Paul’s strongest outing but he did have three masterpieces on the previous outing and the medley was his baby Paul’s contributions to Something and Here Comes the Sun elevated them to a higher level.
I agree with you, only listen to the original album, not a later version that had bonus tracks that only diluted a great album. And just forget the Apple Jam. It’s a separate entity, totally disconnected from the majesty of the original All Things Must Pass. One amazing thing is that My Sweet Lord and Isn’t it a Pity were released as the A and B sides of the same single! Probably the most power packed single ever recorded! I’ve always thought Isn’t it a Pity did have that Hey Jude feel in the second half, the only difference being that I liked the repetition on Isn’t it a Pity a lot Moree and also like the heart of the song a lot more than Hey Jude. In fact, Isn’t it a Pity is my favorite song on the album. It feels like an overwhelmingly emotional and powerful lament to the foibles of the human condition. In fact, it really applies now in the U.S. Further, I have 2 songs that I debate about being mt favorite song of all time, going back to the Everly Brothers, Elvis, etc. Those two songs are Isn’t it a Pity and Close to the Edge. My heart says isn’t it a Pity because it taps into the burden and the pain of how we make life difficult for our fellow man including wars, domestic abuse and a thousand other ways. But Close to the Edge is one unbelievable song too, chill inducing sometimes but without the raw emotion and unbelievable guitar crescendo. I also think that All Things Must Pass is the greatest of all the catalog including Beatles albums and Solo albums by members of the Beatles. My last tribute is that it’s very close to the greatest album ever made, the other on a par, perhaps being "What’s Going On" by Marvin Gaye. Both very spiritual albums. Both lamenting the sometimes agony of the human condition. Thanks for the review and I’ll Subscribe now.
I’m not sure stripping ATMP of its Spector production will make it better. Different maybe but not better. See also The Long and Winding Road. To my ears the Spector version is much better than the Let It Be Naked take. My favourite track from ATMP has always been Run of the Mill closely followed by Beware of Darkness. The album is an absolute masterpiece.
I reluctantly listened to this- how many ATMP50 reaction/review videos do we need? But it's excellent and on point all the way. Nice job, man. Also- you brought a tear to my eye (and a new plan) with the story of your dad. My sympathies- and thanks.
As great as the songs are, I have often found it difficult to not get distracted by Phil Spector’s production. I found that the demo versions of the same songs that appeared on George Harrison’s Early Takes Volume 1 to be very refreshing.
I am a huge fan of triple albums and I have a box at whether they are on CD or vinyl. when I first heard all things must Pass I was completely blown away by the production oh wow I love love love Phil Spector’s productions I even love the apple jam, because it shows all of the musicians jamming together in the long solos which I absolutely love. I even love the fact that the song Johnny’s birthday speeds up very fast at the endI think it’s the best Beatles album ever buy any solo beetle ever every song is that good I think it’s just perfect in every way. If you don’t know I am a very huge Phil Spector fan I always have been and I always will be full spectrum did such a great job on all things must Pass it is hard for me to pick up which tracks I love. but I think my essential tracks are awaiting on you all, Wawa isn’t it a pity what is life, let it down and hear me Lord and all things must Pass this is a very fantastic album. I first got this album on Easter when it was re-mastered in 2000 and it’s a fantastic album I love it it’s great I haven’t heard the original version I’d love to I might get it someday.
so have you posted your take on the re-release and the prices? i love this review btw.....i suppose it goes without saying given who you are, and no offense to regular fan videos, well its refreshing to see someone a little more experience post a review, thanks!
Its Simply one of the best Albums ever With a lot of great Musical moments. I mean this album just shows you that George Harrison had become Just as Good as Paul and John, I Mean If this songs had Been on Get Back(Let It Be the Album) It Would make Let It Be one of their Best Albums Ever(not saying its a bad album I like Let It Be) But Im Kinda Glad its not on Let It Be Because It makes All Things Must Pass A special album.
That's why I put this song as an opener on my imaginary 1971 Beatles album that I made up of songs taken from their solo albums - like so many people like to play around with the same way.
All Things Must Pass WAS NOT rejected by the Beatles. Listening to the Let It Be session tapes proves that George’s songs were encouraged by both Paul and John. In fact, it was George who was the real reason as to why these songs were not given inclusion due to the fact that he was wary of performing them live in the upcoming concerts they had planned.
George was always destined for greater things. John and Paul were great songwriters during their heyday, but they both kinda lost it towards the end of The Beatles. George's songwriting, however, started to drastically improve, and I feel really sorry for the people who loved the mellow, touching, and stripped down Here Comes the Sun but had to endure the awkward and bizarre Maxwell's Silver Hammer first instead. Although I am not exactly a fan of concept or triple albums, All Things Must Pass is a valid peak into the mind of the quiet Beatle. While most of the songs are a bit torpor, in my opinion, other songs like the title track blow me away and makes me think to myself "what did John and Paul have against this song?". Sure it's not as fast and energetic as what they were aiming for with the Post-Sgt Pepper Beatles albums, but it's still a reasonable tune at best
But I can understand that Paul and John wasn't so crazy about many of the songs that George came up with because very few of them seems to blend in with any of the Beatles albums. I believe George in the end gained having his songs released separately on his first real solo album. At least I guess he didn't even loose any income this way. This triple album sold great - didn't it ?
@@tomrogerlilleby2890 One question, how does a song, for example, like 'I Obladi-Obladah' BLEND in with tracks on the White Album or 'Revolution No.9' for that matter? Surely, no real excuse for some of George's songs not being there, say, except for them not considered good enough, OR perhaps John and Paul did not want to "Share the power" to quote Eric Clapton OR as John once suggested, George was not "Tough enough" to get more songs on albums. BLEND, uh?
Great analysis, it's like that over the top production, sometimes cuts off the intimacy that George tried to get across, specially on songs like isn't it a pity or beware of darkness, still great album though
Some of it comes from the LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD documentary, others are from archival interviews from 1976 / 77 I believe. You can find them here on RUclips.
i was thinking yesterday and recently oh cuz someone posted a meme saying name an album with all great songs on it...i considered ALl Things Must PAss tho i stuck with not 3 disc sets tho i woudlnt say anythinog on this is bad....
Absolutly one of the best songs on the album - and one of the best songs Harrison ever wrote. I believe it's about his complicated relationship with Paul McCartney.
JT! This is just an idea but maybe you can do videos like this with a lot of other albums by other bands/artists. Back in 2017 I watched your 60s rock video and I immediately subscribed to this channel. Hearing your thoughts on music like this is really cool. 🤟✌️. Take care.
Do you like the new Paul Hix remix of 2020? it sounds way better and this has always been my fav solo Beatles album bar none but Phil put his “Wall Of Sound” fingerprints all over it. What Paul Hix did i think is what it was meant to sound like..
I was looking forward to it but I was actually really disappointed when I finally heard it. Bobby Whitlock said the same thing. It sounded so digital, it had no life to it. It's like they removed the reverb digitally. I never thought I would actually prefer Spector's mix...
You didn't credit Bobby Whitlock enough and he actually had a bigger role than Clapton whom you mention over and over, but other than that absolutely fantastic review.
Well Bobby himself will tell you how integral he was to that record LOL (I've chatted with him before). But yes, his harmonies, most notably on AWAITING ON YOU ALL are all fantastic. He lays down a lot of keyboard textures as well, especially when Derek and the Dominos are playing (which I mentioned quite a few times). Though I do question how many songs Bobby's actually on. He claims practically all of them, but then everyone involved with the record fights over who played what. Clapton played a much bigger role and he's on more tunes. The first thing you hear is him playing a guitar solo on I'D HAVE YOU ANYTIME and after George, he's the main guitarist on the record playing leads on BEWARE OF DARKNESS, ISN'T A PITY 2, the wah solos on ART OF DYING, the wah guitar part on WAH-WAH, etc.
@@JTCurtisMusic @JTCurtisMusic hahahaha hey, not being a superstar he has to blow his own horn. Hey, you minimize Bobby's role just from personal opinion as you state, and I think I prefer to trust Bobby's story who was actually there, where he talks about influencing so many of George's musical choices. Either way its a brilliant album. Now that I discovered your channel I look forward to watching all your vids and bantering with you and learning - cheers amigo and again great review
@@josephbaca6372 well it's difficult to say sometimes. Take MY SWEET LORD for example. I've heard Bobby, Billy Preston, Rita Coolidge and Delaney Bramlett all individually claim credit for inspiring George with those gospel changes, scat singing, etc. I think you gotta really credit that whole group of people he was touring with: Delaney & Bonnie, Rita, Jim Gordon, Carl Radle, Jim Price and Bobby Keys, Eric and of course Bobby. Hence why George and Eric both wanted Derek and the Dominos (Bobby included since he was integral to their arrangements) on those recordings and how they officially became that band. Definitely deserves his place in history, no question about it. And his contributions to the LAYLA album especially are nothing short of genius.
@@JTCurtisMusic hey, I have been trying to get to the bottom of why all the talent out of Tulsa/Oklahoma, was it just the Leon Russel connection? Between Keltner and Jessie Ed and Carl Radle and Jim Gordon.... also why these 3 great rock keyboard guys Spooner, Leavell and Whitlock came from the South. Do you think Delaney and Bonnie are one of the all time most influential US bands? Sorry for all the questions, but not often you meet people who are as schooled as you. Thanks
@@josephbaca6372 no prob, ask away. I should point out that Jim Gordon was from Cali, and even Leon really got his start when he moved to Cali, as did Jesse, where there was definitely a scene happening in the 60s: The Byrds, The Doors, Buffalo Springfield, the list goes on. That said, sometimes there's just kind of a random boom out of one town that is put on the map. Otis Redding comes out of Macon GA, now that town's on the map. Probably why Duane Allman got an in with Muscle Shoals. I don't think I'd consider Delaney and Bonnie as the most influential band, certainly not on the caliber of Crosby Stills Nash & Young, The Band, Sly and The Family Stone, etc. Honestly I can only remember a couple songs of their's off the top of my head. But they certainly had an influence on Leon, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Duane Allman who in turned influenced so many other people.
Eres la neta del Planeta o sea eres real, para mi es también el mejor posterior a los Beatles. tengo mi canal hablo de la música en vinyl que viví en mi etapa y tengo uno de la música de los Beatles , pero descubriéndote realmente aprendo mucho de ti, Gracias por lo que nos das. You are the net of the Planet, that is, you are real, for me, it is also the best after the Beatles. I have my channel I talk about music on vinyl that I lived in my time and I have one of the Beatles music, but by discovering you I really learn a lot from you, Thank you for what you give us. PERDON DEL TRADUCTOR DE GOOGLE
George’s songs weren’t rejected by the Beatles. This is a persistent lie that is rectified by the Let It Be studio recordings. The Beatles did numerous passes at the song in rehearsal but George never thought that song was ready yet. Please let’s not continue to perpetuate this myth that Isn’t It A Pity was rejected by the rest of the Beatles.
Would you Put "All Things Must Pass" Above The Beatles Best Albums?? I mean For Me it Would be very High on the List but not As high as "Sgt Pepper" , "Revolver" and also "Abbey Road" but in my Opinion its Really close to those albums the Fact is It has A lot of great great Songs But as an album it could be really long wich has both pros and cons Pros are a lot of Great Tracks and Cons is that its hard to listen to it all The Way without stopping
@@arshiahomayoonmehr2420 it’s interesting that you picked my personal top 3 Beatles albums. ABBEY ROAD is top 5 albums of all time for me so no ALL THINGS MUST PASS doesn’t top it. I wouldn’t say it tops REVOLVER or SGT PEPPER either. But once you get into my next tier of favorite Beatles albums: HARD DAYS NIGHT, RUBBER SOUL, THE WHITE ALBUM, I’d say PASS is on par with those.
@@JTCurtisMusic I Mean Yeah in terms Of Beatles Albums those 3 Are Just Perfect I love them all not saying "Rubber Soul" or "White Album" wich are Classics or even the early albums + Let It Be(most are goldfish to be fair even the worst beatles albums which for me are "Beatles For Sale" and "Yellow Submarine" they are both spotted fish none of them are bad) they are also great but You know These 3 are Just Perfect in terms of Both Songwriting, George Martins amazing Productions especially when you know the recording limits in 60s and lastly How album Flows to me there is not a single bad track on it
@@Tom_Radigan Well here's the issue I see with "Apple Scruffs". It follows what I consider to be one of the greatest songs of all time, "Beware of Darkness." Any song that follows it is going to be inferior to varying degrees. So in that respect, it's probably best to follow such a heavy tune lyrically with an upbeat slightly silly song, more in the performance than the lyrics. It's an odd arrangement, starting off as practically a Bob Dylan rip-off and then diving into those wild Beatle-esque harmonies in the chorus and a complex harmonized guitar solo. Lyrically, it could be interpreted in different ways. Considering George's complicated relationship with Beatlemania in general, I think it's meant to be more cynical than a straight up love letter. What's interesting is that as I've been diving into the song, and even now analyzing it in more detail, I think I am getting better appreciation for the song. Same thing happened recently on a listen-through with "Let it Roll" a song I never got that into, but suddenly realized what a beautiful melody and arrangement it is. But that's part of the issue. When you have an album where the first six tunes alone are considered to be some of the greatest of all time (not to mention "Let it Down", "Beware of Darkness", "Awaiting on You All," "Art of Dying" and the title track) songs like "Apple Scruffs" are bound to get lost in the mix. But as I said, they break up the album a bit from getting too stale and make the heavier lyrical songs stick out more.
JTCurtisMusic interesting point. I actually never listened to the album in it’s entirety. I’ve been meaning to listen the album. I actually first got into the song Awaiting on You All from when you played it on your live stream and so I looked it up and fell in love with it.
@@Tom_Radigan well like I said, now's about a good a time as ever to listen to the whole album, seeing as how we can't go anywhere (at least where we are)...
I don’t think it’s really fair to call the back catalogue of George’s songs on ATMP ‘Beatles rejections’ as these songs were now typically Georges songs and didn’t really work for the Beatles. Even if the Beatles had stayed together it would have still been George’s best option to make a solo album just like Paul did. ATMP is George’s album with George’s songs done George’s way and thankfully so.
It's a great album for sure. But it's always bugged me that it was a triple album, when really sides 5 and 6 are, for me, just boring and unlistenable. It should have been a double album. Also, it's a pity Not Guilty wasn't included. Something like the heavier version from Anthology 3, not the later version from George Harrison 79. I don't get why you don't like Apple Scruffs. I think it's great. Behind That Locked Door never seems to get enough praise either. It's really lovely
I think it was a mistake to release all of these backlog songs on one album. George could have parsed this material out and had several years of remarkable releases. After All Things Must Pass, he didn't release another album until 1973 Living in the Material World which was disappointing. And it kind of went down hill after that. One flop after another with an occasional mediocrity. He obviously wanted to make a statement but it was not a good career move.
Well you'll find some surprises as you keep going through the albums (check my reviews of them). And the reason he didn't release MATERIAL WORLD (which I love) right away is because he was busy with THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH. And while it may be a bit esoteric at times, I prefer when George sticks the music and message he wants to make. GONE TROPPO was his "Make the Record Company happy" album and it's his worst by far.
Living In the Material World was just as great as “All Things Must Pass” and also a #1 album. No bad songs on that one, I would say there’s definitely more weak songs on all things must pass
The Beatles were good together partly because they kept each other's self-indulgent tendencies in check. Harrison was great with the Beatles after Revolver. He has few good songs on "All things Must Pass" and most other albums after that. But, generally speaking, nothing as good as his work on the White album or Abbey Road. To me, his "Inner light" is better than anything he did solo.
I love George's music, but I am not a Hare Krishna Hindu. That's fine. Religious toleration is a good thing, although I do not think that the spread of this kind of philosophy/religion in the West from the 60's until now has actually been a positive influence, and Harrison had as much to do with popularizing that stuff as anybody. But whatever. Still, it is a little irritating that George also sees fit to lie and insult the Pope. Maybe my parents were right about the Beatles...
While George was a very spiritual person, he was very much against organized religion. He hated the materialism of The Catholic Church and it's honestly not much different than his satirical lyrics in TAXMAN or PIGGIES. It's just that people tend to freak out more when it involves religious figures (remember John Lennon's 'Jesus' comment?) There were plenty of figures in the 60s / 70s who promoted spirituality (be it Hinduism or Christianity) while denouncing the politicism of organized religion.
I too have much the same feelings about Harrison's choice of religion. I would be more comfortable if I knew that the "Lord" George was praising was "Our Lord" - instead of the super-racist Hindu religion. And I believe his fascination with the Hindu gurus and the Hari Krishna movement was unhealthy. I'm not a Roman Catholic though - so for me he can criticise the pope in Rome as much as he like. I only wished he had the same disrespect for his own stupid religion.
Okay I'm sure a lot of people are wondering about my thoughts on the 50th Anniversary mixes, I decided not to do a separate review of it myself. I usually don't get into these rerelease editions anyway, I'd rather just listen to the album that way it was released unless the artist / band themselves specifically take the initiative to do it.
In my critical opinion, I'm not a fan of the new mixes. It was a great idea to do dry versions of the songs without Phil Spector's wall of reverb, but the execution didn't live up to standards. I found the mixes to be very muddy, especially in the drums and bass, the guitars and keyboards not having a lot of resonance and the vocals (like most modern mixes) being way out in front and sounding separated from the mix. While I did find some of it interesting to pick out parts I didn't know were there (the slide solo in "What is Life" some harmonies in "Wah-Wah", percussion in "My Sweet Lord") the performance just sounds so much more lively on my original vinyl and 30th anniversary CD set.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but Phil Spector's mix is the better way to listen to this album. As the old saying goes be careful what you wish for.
Instablaster...
Bravoooooo. Very good! Both at singing and playing. So happy to see how much you value the music of George Harrison while most of the people even ignore him and his music. Very very and wrongly underrated!
I'm interested to know why Apple Scruffs might be considered weird. Perhaps you don't know that it's a song about the girls who used to hang around outside Abbey Road studios, waiting for a glimpse of the Beatles.
I'm not a religious person, but to me the best of George's songs are what prayers should sound like. I went to the beach at dawn yesterday and sang "All Things Must Pass" to myself; I think I'll always be awestruck by George's music and lyrics.
My fav is Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp it emits a spiritual vibe unlike any music Ive ever heard
Behind that Locked Door is a gorgeous track
Run of the mill with complicated rhythm is such interesting song. And I love Here me lord
Apple Scruffs is a great song!! George plays all instruments and does all the singing , background as well...
Apple Scruffs are the fans that hang out at Apple Studios. The Beatles named them Apple Scruffs!
I had this album new back in 1970. Awesome! I played it over and over... The Jam album, a couple of times.
But to me, it's hard to pick a fav, I love em all!!!! 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂🚶
I've always liked "Apple Scruffs" too -- a fun track, with some needed light-heartedness after the emotion-draining beauty of "Beware of Darkness".
This is a fantastic album. The songs grow on you and there's many hidden gems. Run of the mill is a treasure.
I'm thrilled how many people love George and his music. With love from Russia.
George is so underrated
George Harrison is underrated? How so? Who underrates him?Ive never thought that way about him.
He’s an actual Beatle, how is he underrated
@@elliotts7383 his solo work u idiot
Maybe George was underrated when he was with the Beatles, but once he released “All Things Must Pass,” that all changed!
It was impossible to compete with Lennon and McCartney who were arguably the greatest song writers of the second half of the 20th century. George Martin and EMI/ Capital Records realized that they had struck gold with The Beatles and the albums and hits they churned out were unprecedented. George started to get his song writing chops once the band stopped touring in 1966 and from that moment on he wrote some of their most memorable songs as a Beatle and then after their breakup.
Bobby Whitlock has some great stories about the sessions. He was there for every session except for two.
And he HATES the new remix.
I'd have to say my favorite is "My Sweet Lord" because there is no denying its greatness. But I do defend "Apple Scruffs" and I really think "I'd Have You Anytime" is underrated.
LOVE this classic album. All Things Must Pass, Isn't it a Pity, Beware of Darkness (you're right, especially relevant today!), the irresistible Wah-Wah are all my favs but there are many more gems. It really is a treasure trove of delights.
What is Life and Awaiting on you all are amazing tracks. I've also started to appreciate Let it down more recently as well. The first minute of it sounds almost like an unused track from Dark Side of the Moon
My favorite song on "All Things Must Pass" is every single song on "All Things Must Pass." Arguably my favorite album of all time. And with that I think I'm subscribing.
Yeah it's hard to choose. Thanks for subscribing!
Great review!! For my favorite tracks, I’d have to go with the title track, Isn’t it a Pity, What is Life, Wah-Wah, and The Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let it Roll), which is a song I never really hear people talk about for some reason.
Thank you for your precious contribution to evaluate George's music which was so underrated. After 50 years now it is fresher than ever!
I love All things must pass too (album and song!). Isn’t it a pity it’s wonderful too! Thank you for the video! 🌷💖✨👏👏👏
I was 20 in 1970...and today I was out for a hike and Hear Me Lord came on and it just about brought me to tears. Jim Gordon’s drumming is amazing and for one song anyway the Wall Of Sound really worked.
All Things Must Pass is absolutely the song I’d have played on my deathbed and what I’d have played at my funeral
This is an amazing comfort album, really makes you slow down and think about life with a clear head
Apple Scruffs is Apple groupies taking about the lady’s I love it
Great review! I bought this album when it was brand new and I was a teenager. The Beatles had just broken up, Paul McCartney had just released a rather decent album with one really great song on it ("Maybe I'm Amazed"), John was doing weird stuff with Yoko and Ringo was releasing albums of old standards and country tunes that I had no interest in. So along comes George with a triple album, with his massive hit "My Sweet Lord" on it, soooo I dug deep into my pocket and splurged on what was a pretty expensive album for a kid still in high school. And I was absolutely blown away by what I heard. Just one great song after another -- including his masterpiece "Isn't It A Pity" (although I wasn't quite sure why there needed to be a 2nd version of it lol). Now, over half-a-century later, it's still one of my all-time favourite albums and definitely ranks well alongside my Beatles albums... even if it does start to run out of steam a bit on Side 4. And the Apple Jam only gets played about once every other decade.
i love his early takes album soo much because the songs are so raw and beautiful, it takes away some of the overproduction of this album (which i still love)
Run-of-the-mill has got to be my favorite, Beautiful song
Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to your next review on George.
The comment about your Dad reminds me of something I would do. This lp I recieved on Christmas in 1970. At that age I wasn't sure about Behind That Locked Door and Isn't It a Pity- both too slow for my 10 year old ears. But, even then I knew I loved this record and it remains the best of the post Beatle efforts. Beware of Darkness and the title track are 2 of best songs ever made.
I actually really like the wall of sound on Wah Wah, especially the 2020 mix with the vocals more upfront. It just feels like the explosion of emotion and empowerment of finally cutting out something getting you down from your life, which is always how I read the song.
I love Leon Russell's vocals on Beware of darkness on the Concert for Bangla Desh album
ALS sucks. Thanks for sharing this fine GHarrison review and your personal insights, well done.
These songs got rejected from the "Let It Be" album because it would make John and Paul's material should like shit in comparison. George got his revenge on "Abbey Road" as he landed not one but two masterpieces on the record. Paul's answer was "Maxwell's Silver Hammer". John did better with "Come Together", the only real contender against "Something" and "Here Comes The Sun".
I think Paul's answer was The Abbey Road Medley which is actually my favorite thing they ever did. Although "Something" and "Here Comes the SUN" are masterpieces.
None of them were rejected by Let it Be. George wasn’t confident they would sound good live which was the original plan.
Abbey Road wasn’t Paul’s strongest outing but he did have three masterpieces on the previous outing and the medley was his baby
Paul’s contributions to Something and Here Comes the Sun elevated them to a higher level.
@@patrickthomas8890 what was Paul’s contribution to “Here come the Sun” if any?
I agree with you, only listen to the original album, not a later version that had bonus tracks that only diluted a great album. And just forget the Apple Jam. It’s a separate entity, totally disconnected from the majesty of the original All Things Must Pass. One amazing thing is that My Sweet Lord and Isn’t it a Pity were released as the A and B sides of the same single! Probably the most power packed single ever recorded! I’ve always thought Isn’t it a Pity did have that Hey Jude feel in the second half, the only difference being that I liked the repetition on Isn’t it a Pity a lot Moree and also like the heart of the song a lot more than Hey Jude. In fact, Isn’t it a Pity is my favorite song on the album. It feels like an overwhelmingly emotional and powerful lament to the foibles of the human condition. In fact, it really applies now in the U.S. Further, I have 2 songs that I debate about being mt favorite song of all time, going back to the Everly Brothers, Elvis, etc. Those two songs are Isn’t it a Pity and Close to the Edge. My heart says isn’t it a Pity because it taps into the burden and the pain of how we make life difficult for our fellow man including wars, domestic abuse and a thousand other ways. But Close to the Edge is one unbelievable song too, chill inducing sometimes but without the raw emotion and unbelievable guitar crescendo. I also think that All Things Must Pass is the greatest of all the catalog including Beatles albums and Solo albums by members of the Beatles. My last tribute is that it’s very close to the greatest album ever made, the other on a par, perhaps being "What’s Going On" by Marvin Gaye. Both very spiritual albums. Both lamenting the sometimes agony of the human condition. Thanks for the review and I’ll Subscribe now.
I love Let it Roll. The intro guitar is almost dream like
Apple Scruffs was a song about the fans who waited outside Abbey Road, they called them Album Scruffs.
I really love the Take 1s on the 50th Anniversary Edition. Some great acoustic versions. Awaiting On You All take 1 is well worth a listen imo
I’m not sure stripping ATMP of its Spector production will make it better. Different maybe but not better. See also The Long and Winding Road. To my ears the Spector version is much better than the Let It Be Naked take. My favourite track from ATMP has always been Run of the Mill closely followed by Beware of Darkness. The album is an absolute masterpiece.
My favorite song from the album is what is life
Perhaps the song that would fit best on a Beatles album.
What is life is a tremendous song! Yes, probably the best on the album.
I reluctantly listened to this- how many ATMP50 reaction/review videos do we need? But it's excellent and on point all the way. Nice job, man.
Also- you brought a tear to my eye (and a new plan) with the story of your dad. My sympathies- and thanks.
Technically this was done long before ATMP50 came out. And thank you!
@@JTCurtisMusic You are so right, and I'm duly chastened. Still, it was the content of ATMP that we discussed, not the remaster
Yes! The Dad comment. Just Beautiful.
As great as the songs are, I have often found it difficult to not get distracted by Phil Spector’s production. I found that the demo versions of the same songs that appeared on George Harrison’s Early Takes Volume 1 to be very refreshing.
I am a huge fan of triple albums and I have a box at whether they are on CD or vinyl. when I first heard all things must Pass I was completely blown away by the production oh wow I love love love Phil Spector’s productions
I even love the apple jam, because it shows all of the musicians jamming together in the long solos which I absolutely love. I even love the fact that the song Johnny’s birthday speeds up very fast at the endI think it’s the best Beatles album ever buy any solo beetle ever every song is that good I think it’s just perfect in every way.
If you don’t know I am a very huge Phil Spector fan I always have been and I always will be full spectrum did such a great job on all things must Pass it is hard for me to pick up which tracks I love. but I think my essential tracks are awaiting on you all, Wawa isn’t it a pity what is life, let it down and hear me Lord and all things must Pass this is a very fantastic album. I first got this album on Easter when it was re-mastered in 2000 and it’s a fantastic album I love it it’s great I haven’t heard the original version I’d love to I might get it someday.
so have you posted your take on the re-release and the prices? i love this review btw.....i suppose it goes without saying given who you are, and no offense to regular fan videos, well its refreshing to see someone a little more experience post a review, thanks!
I think that despite is production wah wah is probably my favorite post Beatles song
It's an incredible album...My memorial tape will have 5 of George's songs...and All things must pass in on there..
"What is Life" but now I think of "Goodfellows" every time I hear it. Dang.
Same here.
Happy 50th Birthday All Things Must Pass!
Its Simply one of the best Albums ever With a lot of great Musical moments. I mean this album just shows you that George Harrison had become Just as Good as Paul and John, I Mean If this songs had Been on Get Back(Let It Be the Album) It Would make Let It Be one of their Best Albums Ever(not saying its a bad album I like Let It Be)
But Im Kinda Glad its not on Let It Be Because It makes All Things Must Pass A special album.
Funny that MY favourite song isnt named. Run of the Mill . Just the intro is allready one of the best intros ever !
That's why I put this song as an opener on my imaginary 1971 Beatles album that I made up of songs taken from their solo albums - like so many people like to play around with the same way.
All Things Must Pass WAS NOT rejected by the Beatles. Listening to the Let It Be session tapes proves that George’s songs were encouraged by both Paul and John. In fact, it was George who was the real reason as to why these songs were not given inclusion due to the fact that he was wary of performing them live in the upcoming concerts they had planned.
The production, as George said, “too much echo”.
well now you can listen to the album without it
I use to didn't like I Dig Love either, but it grew on me. It's a groovy little song. Let It Down is another I never liked until recently.
I always loved LET IT DOWN from the first time I listened to it. It's such a gorgeous intense tune.
I love it all it's George what else can i say he's just bloody amazing 😝
Those two songs stands out as the least attractive on this box set.
Isn’t it a pity has to be my fav song on this record
George was always destined for greater things. John and Paul were great songwriters during their heyday, but they both kinda lost it towards the end of The Beatles. George's songwriting, however, started to drastically improve, and I feel really sorry for the people who loved the mellow, touching, and stripped down Here Comes the Sun but had to endure the awkward and bizarre Maxwell's Silver Hammer first instead.
Although I am not exactly a fan of concept or triple albums, All Things Must Pass is a valid peak into the mind of the quiet Beatle. While most of the songs are a bit torpor, in my opinion, other songs like the title track blow me away and makes me think to myself "what did John and Paul have against this song?". Sure it's not as fast and energetic as what they were aiming for with the Post-Sgt Pepper Beatles albums, but it's still a reasonable tune at best
But I can understand that Paul and John wasn't so crazy about many of the songs that George came up with
because very few of them seems to blend in with any of the Beatles albums.
I believe George in the end gained having his songs released separately on his first real solo album.
At least I guess he didn't even loose any income this way. This triple album sold great - didn't it ?
@@tomrogerlilleby2890 One question, how does a song, for example, like 'I Obladi-Obladah' BLEND in with tracks on the White Album or 'Revolution No.9' for that matter? Surely, no real excuse for some of George's songs not being there, say, except for them not considered good enough, OR perhaps John and Paul did not want to "Share the power" to quote Eric Clapton OR as John once suggested, George was not "Tough enough" to get more songs on albums. BLEND, uh?
Great analysis, it's like that over the top production, sometimes cuts off the intimacy that George tried to get across, specially on songs like isn't it a pity or beware of darkness, still great album though
Isn't it a pity is so touchy
Hear me lord is one of my favorite songs ever
Interesting. I don't hear that one quoted as a favorite very often, but a great closer nonetheless.
Just ordered my copy today for my upcoming birthday
You're in for a real treat!
Sorry but I love 'Apple Scruffs', the only week point of the album is very much Spector's doing...
Very well done!! You’re a natural!!
Art of dying and what is life?..my 2 favourite tracks on that one
I think the art of dying demo is probably the best song
My fav song is Beware of Darkness.
Where can I find those footages that you included in the video where George is talking about the songs? Great review!!
Some of it comes from the LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD documentary, others are from archival interviews from 1976 / 77 I believe. You can find them here on RUclips.
'What is life' .... The song is driven along by Badfinger drummer Mike Gibbins' powerful tambourine work . Utter brilliance by P.Spector
fucking Phil Spector. He ruined the album, but more tragically, ruined so many lives
I love the production
I love Wah Wah and What is life.
i was thinking yesterday and recently oh cuz someone posted a meme saying name an album with all great songs on it...i considered ALl Things Must PAss tho i stuck with not 3 disc sets tho i woudlnt say anythinog on this is bad....
Mine is George’s favorite run-of-the-mill
Absolutly one of the best songs on the album - and one of the best songs Harrison ever wrote.
I believe it's about his complicated relationship with Paul McCartney.
JT! This is just an idea but maybe you can do videos like this with a lot of other albums by other bands/artists. Back in 2017 I watched your 60s rock video and I immediately subscribed to this channel. Hearing your thoughts on music like this is really cool. 🤟✌️. Take care.
Well, suggest an album / artist, I'll see if I can make time for it after this George series is done.
Anything from Pink Floyd’s catalogue would be great. Maybe a series from Dark Side through The Wall.
@@springfieldstone54 Definitely doable.
Strangely enough I've never really liked my sweet lord
Do you like the new Paul Hix remix of 2020? it sounds way better and this has always been my fav solo Beatles album bar none but Phil put his “Wall Of Sound” fingerprints all over it. What Paul Hix did i think is what it was meant to sound like..
I was looking forward to it but I was actually really disappointed when I finally heard it. Bobby Whitlock said the same thing. It sounded so digital, it had no life to it. It's like they removed the reverb digitally. I never thought I would actually prefer Spector's mix...
You didn't credit Bobby Whitlock enough and he actually had a bigger role than Clapton whom you mention over and over, but other than that absolutely fantastic review.
Well Bobby himself will tell you how integral he was to that record LOL (I've chatted with him before). But yes, his harmonies, most notably on AWAITING ON YOU ALL are all fantastic. He lays down a lot of keyboard textures as well, especially when Derek and the Dominos are playing (which I mentioned quite a few times).
Though I do question how many songs Bobby's actually on. He claims practically all of them, but then everyone involved with the record fights over who played what. Clapton played a much bigger role and he's on more tunes. The first thing you hear is him playing a guitar solo on I'D HAVE YOU ANYTIME and after George, he's the main guitarist on the record playing leads on BEWARE OF DARKNESS, ISN'T A PITY 2, the wah solos on ART OF DYING, the wah guitar part on WAH-WAH, etc.
@@JTCurtisMusic @JTCurtisMusic hahahaha hey, not being a superstar he has to blow his own horn. Hey, you minimize Bobby's role just from personal opinion as you state, and I think I prefer to trust Bobby's story who was actually there, where he talks about influencing so many of George's musical choices. Either way its a brilliant album. Now that I discovered your channel I look forward to watching all your vids and bantering with you and learning - cheers amigo and again great review
@@josephbaca6372 well it's difficult to say sometimes. Take MY SWEET LORD for example. I've heard Bobby, Billy Preston, Rita Coolidge and Delaney Bramlett all individually claim credit for inspiring George with those gospel changes, scat singing, etc. I think you gotta really credit that whole group of people he was touring with: Delaney & Bonnie, Rita, Jim Gordon, Carl Radle, Jim Price and Bobby Keys, Eric and of course Bobby. Hence why George and Eric both wanted Derek and the Dominos (Bobby included since he was integral to their arrangements) on those recordings and how they officially became that band.
Definitely deserves his place in history, no question about it. And his contributions to the LAYLA album especially are nothing short of genius.
@@JTCurtisMusic hey, I have been trying to get to the bottom of why all the talent out of Tulsa/Oklahoma, was it just the Leon Russel connection? Between Keltner and Jessie Ed and Carl Radle and Jim Gordon.... also why these 3 great rock keyboard guys Spooner, Leavell and Whitlock came from the South. Do you think Delaney and Bonnie are one of the all time most influential US bands? Sorry for all the questions, but not often you meet people who are as schooled as you. Thanks
@@josephbaca6372 no prob, ask away. I should point out that Jim Gordon was from Cali, and even Leon really got his start when he moved to Cali, as did Jesse, where there was definitely a scene happening in the 60s: The Byrds, The Doors, Buffalo Springfield, the list goes on. That said, sometimes there's just kind of a random boom out of one town that is put on the map. Otis Redding comes out of Macon GA, now that town's on the map. Probably why Duane Allman got an in with Muscle Shoals.
I don't think I'd consider Delaney and Bonnie as the most influential band, certainly not on the caliber of Crosby Stills Nash & Young, The Band, Sly and The Family Stone, etc. Honestly I can only remember a couple songs of their's off the top of my head. But they certainly had an influence on Leon, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Duane Allman who in turned influenced so many other people.
"being constipated for years" lol haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I love George
Isn't it a pity is my fav off the album then wah wah.
Then beware of darkness
Eres la neta del Planeta o sea eres real, para mi es también el mejor posterior a los Beatles. tengo mi canal hablo de la música en vinyl que viví en mi etapa y tengo uno de la
música de los Beatles , pero descubriéndote realmente aprendo mucho de ti, Gracias por lo que nos das.
You are the net of the Planet, that is, you are real, for me, it is also the best after the Beatles. I have my channel I talk about music on vinyl that I lived in my time and I have one of the
Beatles music, but by discovering you I really learn a lot from you, Thank you for what you give us. PERDON DEL TRADUCTOR DE GOOGLE
btw did you post a review or have one of the remaster which id sa ydeservedly was awarded best remaster relrelease?
Great! I agree except I love Apple Scruffs. And, My Sweet Lord. It is a great song. But, I am so sick of it after all these years of hearing it.
I don’t see the review anywhere. Sound ? Echo reduction ? Order of songs ?
I don't understand your question.
Funny, you say "Apple Scruffs" is a weird number. It's my favorite song on the whole album. Just goes to show ya...
It's definitely grown on me since this review, but it does follow BEWARE OF DARKNESS, a hard act for any song to follow.
@@JTCurtisMusic Something about those harmonies on Scruffs. Quite exquisite.
"Apple Scruffs" would have made a great contribution to a Beatles album - like "The White Album."
my favorite of the album is probably art of dying.
It sounds as if he was prophecying his own death.
George’s songs weren’t rejected by the Beatles. This is a persistent lie that is rectified by the Let It Be studio recordings. The Beatles did numerous passes at the song in rehearsal but George never thought that song was ready yet. Please let’s not continue to perpetuate this myth that Isn’t It A Pity was rejected by the rest of the Beatles.
Yeah, sure!
I dig I dig love
This album is truly great however the almost random use of modulations appearing from nowhere just doesn't make sense to me. In fact they annoy me.
What about run of the mill
Great song too... so many...
Would you Put "All Things Must Pass" Above The Beatles Best Albums??
I mean For Me it Would be very High on the List but not As high as "Sgt Pepper" , "Revolver" and also "Abbey Road" but in my Opinion its Really close to those albums the Fact is It has A lot of great great Songs But as an album it could be really long wich has both pros and cons
Pros are a lot of Great Tracks and Cons is that its hard to listen to it all The Way without stopping
@@arshiahomayoonmehr2420 it’s interesting that you picked my personal top 3 Beatles albums. ABBEY ROAD is top 5 albums of all time for me so no ALL THINGS MUST PASS doesn’t top it. I wouldn’t say it tops REVOLVER or SGT PEPPER either. But once you get into my next tier of favorite Beatles albums: HARD DAYS NIGHT, RUBBER SOUL, THE WHITE ALBUM, I’d say PASS is on par with those.
@@JTCurtisMusic I Mean Yeah in terms Of Beatles Albums those 3 Are Just Perfect I love them all not saying "Rubber Soul" or "White Album" wich are Classics or even the early albums + Let It Be(most are goldfish to be fair even the worst beatles albums which for me are "Beatles For Sale" and "Yellow Submarine" they are both spotted fish none of them are bad) they are also great but You know These 3 are Just Perfect in terms of Both Songwriting, George Martins amazing Productions especially when you know the recording limits in 60s and lastly How album Flows to me there is not a single bad track on it
What do you think of the controversial celebrity cover of John Lennon's Imagine?
Are you thinking of the "Two Virgins" full Monty picture ?
I love Art Of Dying
I love the video but I'm surprised you don't like Apple Scruffs
I didn't say I don't like it, I said it's a weird number
@@JTCurtisMusic what do you think is necessary weird about it? Is it because its a love letter to hardcore Beatles groupies?
@@Tom_Radigan Well here's the issue I see with "Apple Scruffs". It follows what I consider to be one of the greatest songs of all time, "Beware of Darkness." Any song that follows it is going to be inferior to varying degrees. So in that respect, it's probably best to follow such a heavy tune lyrically with an upbeat slightly silly song, more in the performance than the lyrics. It's an odd arrangement, starting off as practically a Bob Dylan rip-off and then diving into those wild Beatle-esque harmonies in the chorus and a complex harmonized guitar solo. Lyrically, it could be interpreted in different ways. Considering George's complicated relationship with Beatlemania in general, I think it's meant to be more cynical than a straight up love letter.
What's interesting is that as I've been diving into the song, and even now analyzing it in more detail, I think I am getting better appreciation for the song. Same thing happened recently on a listen-through with "Let it Roll" a song I never got that into, but suddenly realized what a beautiful melody and arrangement it is. But that's part of the issue. When you have an album where the first six tunes alone are considered to be some of the greatest of all time (not to mention "Let it Down", "Beware of Darkness", "Awaiting on You All," "Art of Dying" and the title track) songs like "Apple Scruffs" are bound to get lost in the mix. But as I said, they break up the album a bit from getting too stale and make the heavier lyrical songs stick out more.
JTCurtisMusic interesting point. I actually never listened to the album in it’s entirety. I’ve been meaning to listen the album. I actually first got into the song Awaiting on You All from when you played it on your live stream and so I looked it up and fell in love with it.
@@Tom_Radigan well like I said, now's about a good a time as ever to listen to the whole album, seeing as how we can't go anywhere (at least where we are)...
George Harrison
I don’t think it’s really fair to call the back catalogue of George’s songs on ATMP ‘Beatles rejections’ as these songs were now typically Georges songs and didn’t really work for the Beatles. Even if the Beatles had stayed together it would have still been George’s best option to make a solo album just like Paul did. ATMP is George’s album with George’s songs done George’s way and thankfully so.
It's a great album for sure. But it's always bugged me that it was a triple album, when really sides 5 and 6 are, for me, just boring and unlistenable. It should have been a double album. Also, it's a pity Not Guilty wasn't included. Something like the heavier version from Anthology 3, not the later version from George Harrison 79.
I don't get why you don't like Apple Scruffs. I think it's great. Behind That Locked Door never seems to get enough praise either. It's really lovely
and you forgot PETE FRAMPTON
I think it was a mistake to release all of these backlog songs on one album. George could have parsed this material out and had several years of remarkable releases. After All Things Must Pass, he didn't release another album until 1973 Living in the Material World which was disappointing. And it kind of went down hill after that. One flop after another with an occasional mediocrity. He obviously wanted to make a statement but it was not a good career move.
Well you'll find some surprises as you keep going through the albums (check my reviews of them). And the reason he didn't release MATERIAL WORLD (which I love) right away is because he was busy with THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH. And while it may be a bit esoteric at times, I prefer when George sticks the music and message he wants to make. GONE TROPPO was his "Make the Record Company happy" album and it's his worst by far.
Living In the Material World was just as great as “All Things Must Pass” and also a #1 album. No bad songs on that one, I would say there’s definitely more weak songs on all things must pass
John had the best single.
George had the best album.
Paul had the best career.
Ringo had the best crisps
To me his song writing is better than L & Mc C
Beware of maya.
Bobby Whitlock said it's all LIES
What's all LIES?
@@JTCurtisMusic all the known history of the sessions, he gets very bitter about it
And who are you......🍁
Sorry, you seem to have a talent in music.....🍁
@@leiferickson9666 Watch the first video of this series:
ruclips.net/video/75LB_z6zTvk/видео.html
The Beatles were good together partly because they kept each other's self-indulgent tendencies in check. Harrison was great with the Beatles after Revolver. He has few good songs on "All things Must Pass" and most other albums after that. But, generally speaking, nothing as good as his work on the White album or Abbey Road. To me, his "Inner light" is better than anything he did solo.
I love George's music, but I am not a Hare Krishna Hindu. That's fine. Religious toleration is a good thing, although I do not think that the spread of this kind of philosophy/religion in the West from the 60's until now has actually been a positive influence, and Harrison had as much to do with popularizing that stuff as anybody. But whatever. Still, it is a little irritating that George also sees fit to lie and insult the Pope. Maybe my parents were right about the Beatles...
While George was a very spiritual person, he was very much against organized religion. He hated the materialism of The Catholic Church and it's honestly not much different than his satirical lyrics in TAXMAN or PIGGIES. It's just that people tend to freak out more when it involves religious figures (remember John Lennon's 'Jesus' comment?) There were plenty of figures in the 60s / 70s who promoted spirituality (be it Hinduism or Christianity) while denouncing the politicism of organized religion.
I too have much the same feelings about Harrison's choice of religion.
I would be more comfortable if I knew that the "Lord" George was praising was "Our Lord" -
instead of the super-racist Hindu religion.
And I believe his fascination with the Hindu gurus and the Hari Krishna movement was unhealthy.
I'm not a Roman Catholic though - so for me he can criticise the pope in Rome as much as he like.
I only wished he had the same disrespect for his own stupid religion.