Background and Recording
As on the previous year's That's the Way God Planned It, Preston worked closely with George Harrison on the album, the Beatle contributing guitar, co-producing, and co-wroting a song with Preston. Harrison also donated two of his own − and subsequently most famous − compositions in "My Sweet Lord" and "All Things Must Pass", both of which he had yet to release himself. (Work on All Things Must Pass would only begin after the Preston sessions were completed.)
Recorded in London, Encouraging Words retained some of the all-star personnel from its predecessor − again featuring Eric Clapton as well as Harrison on guitar − augmented by the likes of Ringo Starr, Klaus Voormann and various members of Delaney & Bonnie's "Friends" band. Crucially though, there were also contributions from members of The Temptations' and Sam and Dave's backing bands, ensuring a more sympathetic setting for Preston's music than that provided by the all-British rock line-up on the 1969 album. As a result, Encouraging Words is typical of Preston's successful blend of soul and rock, highlighted by his powerful voice and virtuoso Hammond organ and piano playing.
In late April 1970, Harrison arrived in New York, where he was said to be working on Preston's album. It is possible that orchestral strings were overdubbed onto "All Things Must Pass" and "Little Girl" at this point, after which Harrison collaborated briefly with Bob Dylan.
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