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Bobby Whitlock on All Things Must Pass.

If you have any interest in George Harrison’s All Thinks Must Pass album---especially in it’s upcoming 50th Anniversary incarnation---you have GOT to watch Bobby Whitlock’s new YouTube video about the recording of the album! Bobby is the organist/pianist/harmony singer (and player of other assorted instruments) on the album, as well as the same (along with songwriter) in Derek & The Dominos.

Bobby was very recently contacted by George’s estate regarding his recollections of the recording of ATMP, as his memory of that event far surpasses that of any other still-living participant, including Ringo and Eric Clapton. His recounting of the recording of the album is FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC! An utter joy to watch and hear. He and his wife/musical partner Coco Carmel recorded the video in their Texas home, and you may watch it on YouTube.

The video is very easy to find: Once on YouTube, do a search for "Bobby Whitlock", and click on his name. The first video in the queue is entitled "All Things Must Pass 50th/Just The Facts". I CANNOT wait for the newly-mixed version of the recordings (without Phil Spector’s gratuitous, grossly-excessive echo and reverb), to be offered in many different forms.
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bdp24's avatar
bdp24 OP
9,821 posts
 
Oh no, the 50th Anniversary All Things Must Pass is FAR different from the original---any and all previous issues, analog or digital. Info about the 50th Anniversary is all over the internet, for those who really want to know what it’s about. Lots of out-takes and alternate versions, unreleased material, etc. If you're not interested, fine, ignore it.

As for the original version: I’m not alone in hating (from the day it was released) the Spector-ization of ATMP, including George himself, who for years wanted to revisit the album.

Geez, is there nothing someone won’t argue about on Audiogon?
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,314 posts
 
Thanks for the info, @bdp24 .  The Whitlock interview seems like it will be very interesting.
tablejockey
3,916 posts
 
Great perspective on what was going on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui2VSY6OTXI

Maybe ATMP will be one of my rare reissue buys this year? When a musician, and NOT a producer type talks about liking an upcoming reissue, that catches my attention.

I've been giving my original presses of both ATMP and Joni's "Blue" playtime lately. Blue is very good. ATMP...not so much.

I didn't go thru my typical 3-5 buys to find my "keeper," so perhaps I just have an extra bad copy. If I could remix it, the drums/bass would be centered better, along with George's vocal. The overall mesh of instruments often sounds mushy.

Wah Wah is a perfect example. So many instruments and things going on. SQ is wah wah.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,597 posts
 
This is a 50th anniversary remix supervised by Dhani. Thankfully for me, Jeff Lynne got nowhere near this project, as far as I know. It will not make your copy of the original mix disappear.

According to Dhani, George repeatedly said that he would like to do a remix of the album. Dhani has said it is not a de-Spectorization of the album, but more a little clean-up and clarifying, and bringing George’s vocals more to the forefront.

There are versions ranging in cost from $20 to $1,000. You can see the different versions by going to George Harrison | Official Merchandise – George Harrison | Official Merchandise

Some people will like it, some won’t. I am certainly anxious to hear it. It’s going to be released August 6th.

Great interview with Bobby Whitlock.  Good thing his wife was there to keep it moving.  I wish someone would do that for me.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24 OP
9,821 posts
 
Yeah @tomcy6, Whitlock strays off topic a lot in their videos, and CoCo reins him back in. He has a lot of stories to tell, all the videos a lot of fun. Unlike a lot of musicians from the late-60's and early-70's who have foggy memories of that time, Bobby's memory is very clear. He didn't get into chemicals until later in life, but made it back to sobriety about twenty years ago.
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