All Things Must Pass (30th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered]

iTunes Review

You can’t help being in awe of All Things Must Pass — and that’s not a reference to its God-centered content. In both its ambition and substance, George Harrison’s 1970 solo debut is genuinely magnificent. With the dust from his years with the Beatles barely settled, Harrison composed a brace of superbly-crafted pop/rock/folk tunes, then enlisted Phil Spector to heighten their impact with his patented Wall of Sound production. The pleasures found here are abundant and enduring. Tracks like “What Is Life,” “Awaiting On You All,” and the thunderous “Wah-Wah” unleash glorious avalanches of guitars, drums and horns. Harrison displays his more subdued, countrified side on “Apple Scruffs,””Behind That Locked Door,” and a graceful version of Dylan’s “If Not For You.” Songs like “Beware of Darkness,””Isn’t It A Pity,” and the title tune ruminate upon fear and suffering with a minimum of preachiness. And, of course, there’s “My Sweet Lord,” no less transporting to hear with the knowledge that its melody was borrowed from “He’s So Fine.” Without a doubt, this mighty work lays claim to Harrison’s post-Beatles greatness.