"All Things Must Pass" is the third studio album by English rock musician George Harrison, released as a triple album in November 1970. It was Harrison's first solo project after the breakup of The Beatles earlier that year. The album includes the hit singles "My Sweet Lord" and "What Is Life," alongside notable tracks like "Isn't It a Pity" and the title track, many of which had been previously rejected by The Beatles. The album reflects Harrison's artistic growth and influences from his collaborations with artists like Bob Dylan, The Band, and Eric Clapton, as well as his spiritual journey and use of the slide guitar.
The production featured a large group of musicians, including Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, and members of Delaney & Bonnie's band, with Phil Spector employing his Wall of Sound technique. All Things Must Pass was a commercial and critical success, topping charts worldwide and receiving praise for its bold, expansive sound. It is considered one of the best post-Beatles solo albums, often ranked highly in various "best albums of all time" lists. The album was certified seven-times platinum in the US, selling at least 7 million copies globally.
The album's success was aided by Harrison's rising confidence after the Beatles' breakup, his involvement in various collaborations during 1969-70, and his exploration of spiritual themes, particularly Hinduism. The original release featured two discs of songs and a third disc of jams titled Apple Jam. The album's iconic cover, featuring Harrison surrounded by garden gnomes, symbolized his newfound independence. It has been praised for its sweeping, spiritual sound and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014.
The packaging of George Harrison's All Things Must Pass was notably distinctive, with the three vinyl discs housed in a hinged box rather than a traditional triple gatefold cover. Designed by Tom Wilkes, the box was large and cumbersome, which caused some confusion among retailers who typically associated boxed albums with classical or opera releases. The album's stark black-and-white cover photo, taken at Harrison's Friar Park estate by Barry Feinstein, features Harrison seated in the center, surrounded by four garden gnomes. This image is often interpreted as a symbolic representation of Harrison's departure from The Beatles, with the gnomes suggesting the separation from his former bandmates.
The cover design, with Harrison towering over the gnomes, is thought to reflect his newfound independence. Some critics suggest that John Lennon may have reacted negatively to the cover due to a sense of envy, as Harrison's solo career was flourishing at the time. Additionally, the album came with a poster showing Harrison in a darkened corridor of his home, though Harrison was reportedly uncomfortable with more adventurous imagery originally designed for it. Some of these alternative photos were later used for the picture sleeves of Harrison's singles "My Sweet Lord" and "What Is Life."
