Billy Preston - Encouraging Words (1970)

Billy Preston was an American singer-songwriter and keyboard player, best known for his talents on the Hammond organ.

Encouraging Words was Preston's second vocal album, showcasing his unique gospel/soul/rock sound. It was released on the Beatles' Apple Records, and he worked closely with George Harrison in making it. It features two Harrison songs ("My Sweet Lord" and "All Things Must Pass") which at the time had not been released by Harrison himself - they would be ten months later on his triple-album All Things Must Pass, and become some of his best-loved songs, so its very interesting to hear Preston's early versions here, which differ considerably in their arrangements. Harrison also co-wrote another song with Preston and contributed guitar. There's also a Beatles cover in "I've Got A Feeling". As on That's The Way God Planned It, Preston's rhythm section consisted of Cream drummer Ginger Baker and Rolling Stone Keith Richards on bass. There's also some guitar from Eric Clapton. And again, it's Preston's energetic vocals, piano and hammond organ which dominate the record (backed in places by strings, horns and backing singers).

That's The Way God Planned It (1969) <|> I Wrote A Simple Song (1971)
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