Today’s post comes to us right here at the end of November for monthly music appreciation day here at brandonchristopherproject.com, and I’m very excited to christen this new blog with one of my favorite albums, George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. This year we celebrate the 52nd anniversary of this long-standing classic.
To set the scene, imagine you are back in 1970. Richard Nixon is president, the Ford Pinto is released, and the Beatles break up in April.
You’re completely gutted. How could THE Beatles be breaking up? Jokes about Yoko aside, what is a music lover to do after such news?
Well, before the end of the year, one of the Fab Four would release their own solo album to critical and popular acclaim. A talented multi-instrumentalist and one of the creative geniuses of the Beatles would release a triple-album (you read that right) with a chart-topping single. But it wasn’t either pea from the Lennon-McCartney pod who would strike RIAA certified gold first… it was George.
Yes, that same George who had quietly sat in the background for years, only rarely allowed to shine on tracks such as Something from Abbey Road and While My Guitar Gently Weeps from The Beatles (White Album), both his songs.
Now, he was ready to take center stage, his intentions clearly shown in the beautifully photographed open field backed by a misty forest with four lawn gnomes lounging about.
Harrison at this point had become fascinated with the spiritual realm, constantly present on this masterpiece. If not literally present in the lyrics of My Sweet Lord, philosophically present in the passing of all things on the title track. George was an observer, a seeker, a pilgrim, rather than John who was the Beatles’ house intellectual and political leader. Compare All Things Must Pass and Imagine, and you can see (and feel) George’s longing for understanding of the eternal, life and death, belonging, purpose, and love, rather than John’s persistence on social justice in the here-and-now on tracks such as 1970’s Working Class Hero or 1971’s Imagine featuring the perennial anthem of the same name and Gimme Some Truth.
My favorites from this album are I’d Have You Anytime, Isn’t It a Pity, and If Not for You, the later two having Bob Dylan’s distinctive influence which adds an honesty and frankness uncharacteristic of much of the Beatles’ music.
If you haven’t listened to this album, give it a shot. The first LP (first disc to the uninitiated) contains the hit singles and songs that have resurfaced in the fifty plus years since the album’s release. The second dives into some of the lesser-known tracks, closing with the titular track. Frankly, I don’t know much at all about the third part of this triple album, but writing this post has inspired me to check it out. Stay tuned for a possible future addition…
Sunrise doesn't last all morning A cloudburst doesn't last all day Seems my love is up and has left you with no warning It's not always going to be this way All things must pass All things must pass away Sunset doesn't last all evening A mind can blow those clouds away After all this, my love is up and must be leaving It's not always gonna be this gray All things must pass All things must pass away All things must pass None of life's strings can last So, I must be on my way And face another way now the darkness only stays for the night time in the morning it will fade away daylight is good at arriving at the right time it's not always gonna be this gray All things must pass All things must pass away...
One response to “Music Appreciation Day: George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass (1970)”
I love this! Great job.