George Harrison
All Things Must Pass
though george harrison's solo albums for most of the 1970s and early '80s were uneven often slapdash affairs 1970's 'all things must pass' is a brilliant piece of work produced by phil spector whose expansive majestic arrangements and sonic flourishes suit harrison's songs perfectly 'all things must pass' eclipses everything the other beatles recorded at the time excepting john lennon's plastic ono band this sprawling double record gives the impression of harrison being uncorked and pouring forth all of the songs and ideas edged out by lennon and mccartney during the beatles years the title and the melancholic cover photo match the mood of the music which brims with an armchair wisdom and the weary disillusioned air that permeated the early '70s in the countercultural wake yet the album also boasts an abiding sense of spirituality and tenacious optimism as on the lullabylike hit single 'my sweet lord' and 'isn't it a pity' a compassionate study of human suffering 'what is life' and 'awaiting on you all' continue these themes but spector's bright pop polish lends a counterweight making the record feel light and deeply personal at once despite some lengthy formless jams as on the 11minuteplus 'out of the blue' all things must pass stands among the great records of the early '70s