Encouraging Words
Encyclopedia
Encouraging Words is the fifth studio album
by Billy Preston
, released in 1970. Preston worked closely with George Harrison
on the album, who contributed guitar, co-produced, co-wrote a song with Preston, and contributed two of his own songs which were yet to be released, as All Things Must Pass
was released ten months later.
It retained the all-star personnel of 1969's "That's the Way God Planned It
", featuring Eric Clapton
as well as Harrison on guitar, Keith Richards
on bass and Ginger Baker
on drums. The album is typical of Preston's blend of soul and rock, highlighted by his powerful voice and virtuoso organ and piano playing. Although Encouraging Words did not become a commercial success, it is considered one of Billy Preston's best by fans.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
, released in 1970. Preston worked closely with George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
on the album, who contributed guitar, co-produced, co-wrote a song with Preston, and contributed two of his own songs which were yet to be released, as All Things Must Pass
All Things Must Pass
All Things Must Pass is a triple album by George Harrison, recorded and released in 1970. The original vinyl release featured two LPs of rock songs as well as Apple Jam, a third LP of informal jams...
was released ten months later.
It retained the all-star personnel of 1969's "That's the Way God Planned It
That's the Way God Planned It
That's The Way God Planned It is the fourth studio album by Billy Preston, released in 1969 on Apple Records. George Harrison, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and other guests appear on the album.- 1968 liner notes :...
", featuring Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
as well as Harrison on guitar, Keith Richards
Keith Richards
Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
on bass and Ginger Baker
Ginger Baker
Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker is an English drummer, best known for his work with Cream and Blind Faith. He is also known for his numerous associations with World music, mainly the use of African influences...
on drums. The album is typical of Preston's blend of soul and rock, highlighted by his powerful voice and virtuoso organ and piano playing. Although Encouraging Words did not become a commercial success, it is considered one of Billy Preston's best by fans.
Track listing
All Songs by Billy Preston, except where noted.- "Right Now" – 3:14
- "Little Girl" – 3:28
- "Use What You Got" – 4:22
- "My Sweet LordMy Sweet Lord"My Sweet Lord" is a song by former Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison from his UK number one hit triple album All Things Must Pass. The song was written in praise of the Hindu god Krishna...
" (George HarrisonGeorge HarrisonGeorge Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
) – 3:21 - "Let the Music Play" (Preston, Joe Greene, Jesse Kirkland) – 2:44
- "The Same Thing Again" (Billy Preston, James Herndon) – 4:32
- "I've Got a FeelingI've Got a Feeling"I've Got a Feeling" is a song by The Beatles, from the 1970 album Let It Be. It is one of the songs on the album from the Rooftop Concert...
" (John Lennon, Paul McCartneyLennon/McCartneyThe Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership is one of the best-known and most successful musical collaborations in history...
) – 2:51 - "Sing One for the Lord" (Harrison, Preston) – 3:49
- "When You Are Mine" – 2:45
- "I Don't Want You to Pretend" – 2:38
- "Encouraging Words" – 3:35
- "All Things Must PassAll Things Must Pass (song)"All Things Must Pass" is a song written by George Harrison. It is the title track to his triple album of the same name.During The Beatles' Get Back sessions in January 1969, this was one of many songs the group rehearsed to be part of their new album...
" (George Harrison) – 3:43 - "You've Been Acting Strange" (R.L. Williams) – 3:27
CD bonus tracks (1993 and 2010 remasters)
- "As Long As I Got My Baby" - 2:42
- "All That I Got (I'm Gonna Give It to You)" (Preston, Doris Troy) - 3:34
New bonus track (added to 2010 remaster)
- "How Long Has This Train Been Gone" (Preston, Bruce Fisher) - 3:17
Personnel
- Billy PrestonBilly PrestonWilliam Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
– Vocals, Organ, Piano, Keyboards - George HarrisonGeorge HarrisonGeorge Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
– Guitars - Eric ClaptonEric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
– Guitars - Keith RichardsKeith RichardsKeith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
– Bass - Ginger BakerGinger BakerPeter Edward "Ginger" Baker is an English drummer, best known for his work with Cream and Blind Faith. He is also known for his numerous associations with World music, mainly the use of African influences...
– Drums - Doris TroyDoris TroyDoris Troy was an American R&B singer, known to her many fans as "Mama Soul".She was born as Doris Higginson in The Bronx, the daughter of a Barbadian Pentecostal minister. Her parents disapproved of "subversive" forms of music like rhythm & blues, so she cut her teeth singing in her father's choir...
– Backing Vocals