George Harrison's "What Is Life" is from what he considered to be his first solo album,the three-disc set "All Things Must Pass." It was recorded in 1970-partially in the same Abbey Road,London studios The Beatles used to record their last album in 1969;but was musically distinguished by the slide guitar style of playing which Harrison learned from his friend,fellow guitarist Delaney Bramlett.
Two discs of the album were songs,and the third consisted of jam sessions.The collection's two biggest hits were "My Sweet Lord" and "What Is Life." The LP was co-produced by legendary American Phil Spector,known for his "Wall of Sound" approach,which entails building a thick tapestry of sound through intensive overdubbing.That certainly comes through in "What Is Life."
"All Things Must Pass," which was remastered and partially re-recorded in 2001,the year of Harrison's death from cancer at age 58,hit number one on the album charts worldwide.It went on to be the most commercially and artistically successful of any of The Beatles' solo albums,being highly regarded by critics to this day.In the US alone,it has gone 6x platinum.
Among the album's vast roster of contributors were Phil Collins,Eric Clapton,Ginger Baker,Ringo Starr,Dave Mason,Bobby Keys and orchestral and choral arranger John Barham.It was nominated for the Album of the Year Grammy Award in 1972.
I have offered two versions of the song "What Is Life":one with an India-inspired photo of Harrison;the other featuring a slide show of photos of Harrison,Phil Spector and longtime Beatles assistant Mal Evans.
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