Billy Preston - Encouraging Words (1970, Apple 2010)⭐

Artist: Billy Preston
Title Of Album: Encouraging Words
Year Of Release: 1970/2010
Label: Apple
Country of Artist (Band): US
Genre: R 'n' b, funk soul and rock
Audio codec: FLAC (*.flac)
Rip type: tracks+.cue
Audio bitrate: lossless

For Preston’s Encouraging Words (SAPCOR 14), Harrison took a far more active production role and the result is a more unified album The release stands as a true collaboration between Preston and the Beatle George was so taken with Preston that in addition to co-writing the album’s “Sing One for the Lord,” he offered him “All Things Must Pass” and “My Sweet Lord” before his own recordings made their debut

“My Sweet Lord” can’t help but get your body moving, marrying funk to the church; George knew that while Preston’s God was Christ and his was Krishna, the similarities were far greater than the differences With Harrison’s version so well-known today, it’s refreshing to hear this very different take on the song now Preston’s “All Things Must Pass” contrasts wistful verses with soulful choruses containing ad-libs and shouts, and wonderful harmonies, along with a solid arrangement of cinematic strings In the end, I prefer Harrison’s more humbler rendition, but Preston’s stands alongside it proudly Having played on its Beatles recording, Preston also offers a playful version of Lennon and McCartney’s “I’ve Got a Feeling”

Like many Apple artists, Preston had diverse influences The sound of the sweet “Little Girl” harkens back to an earlier time with smooth vocal harmonies, while on “I Don’t Want to Pretend,” you can even hear a bit of Allen Toussaint in the vocal delivery! Eric Clapton plays on three tracks with his customary power, including the title track on which he shares guitar duties with Delaney Bramlett

Some songs again originated during the artist’s Capitol tenure, although all were re-recorded Preston had a habit of revisiting songs with new interpretations over the years, re-recording some of his Apple output later for A&M

“As Long As I Got My Baby,” the intended B-side to “My Sweet Lord” (cancelled as Apple 29) and “All That I’ve Got,” co-written with Troy (Apple 21), both return from CD SAPCOR 14 as bonus tracks along with one new addition, “How Long Has the Train Been Gone,” recorded in early 1970

Perhaps George Harrison should have been known not as the Quiet Beatle, but as the Soulful Beatle His work with Troy, Preston and Lomax certainly proves that he could “do” R&B with the best of them

Tracks
1. Right Now (Billy Preston) - 3:15
2. Little Girl (Billy Preston) - 3:31
3. Use What You've Got (Billy Preston) - 4:22
4. My Sweet Lord (George Harrison) - 3:23
5. Let The Music Play (Billy Preston, Jesse Kirkland) - 2:43
6. The Same Thing Again (Billy Preston, James Herndon) - 4:36
7. I've Got A Feeling (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:52
8. Sing One For The Lord (Billy Preston, George Harrison) - 3:49
9. When You Are Mine (Billy Preston) - 2:44
10.I Don't Want You To Pretend (Billy Preston) - 2:35
11.Encouraging Words (Billy Preston) - 3:32
12.All Things (Must) Pass (George Harrison) - 3:45
13.You've Been Acting Strange (R.L. Williams) - 3:24
14.As Long As I Got My Baby (Billy Preston) - 2:42
15.All That I Got (I'm Gonna Give It To You) (Billy Preston, Doris Troy) - 3:34
16.How Long Has The Train Been Gone (Billy Preston, Bruce Fisher) - 3:17
Bonus Tracks 14-16

Personnel:
Billy Preston - Vocals, Organ, Piano, Electric Piano, Harmonica, Backing Vocals
George Harrison - Electric Guitar, Moog Synthesizer, Backing Vocals
Eric Clapton - Electric Guitar (Tracks 1,3,11)
Delaney Bramlett - Electric Guitar (Track 11), Backing Vocals
Klaus Voormann - Bass Guitar
Carl Radle - Bass Guitar
Jim Gordon - Drums
Ringo Starr - Drums
Bobby Keys - Saxophones
Jim Price - Trumpet, Trombone, Horn Arrangements
The Edwin Hawkins Singers - Backing Vocals (Tracks 4,12)
Cornelius Grant - Electric Guitar
Bill White - Bass Guitar,
Melvin Brown - Drums