Billy Preston had been making music as far back as 1956, backing Mahalia Jackson at the age of ten, and had recorded four albums since 1963 before he first entered The Beatles’ orbit.
After playing on the group’s Let It Be album in January 1969, and being the only musician credited on a record by The Beatles, he signed with the group’s fledgling Apple Records. He recorded two albums for the label before Apple fell apart, then moved on to A&M. His two solo Apple albums have been reissued by Dark Horse Records, run by George Harrison’s wife, Olivia, and their son, Dhani.
That’s the Way God Planned It, released in 1969, is a fine album and, for the most part, follows the same soulful, gospel-funk groove as his previous works. George Harrison produced the album and included such guest musicians as Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Keith Richards, along with singers Doris Troy and Madeline Bell. Troy, who was also signed to Apple Records, co-wrote three songs here with Preston.
Preston offers a few glimpses into his future direction with his take on Bob Dylan’s “She Belongs To Me” on the lush, orchestral “Morning Star,” aided by string arrangements of John Barham, who worked with The Beatles solo and collectively, and on the title cut, his signature performance song two years later at the Concert for Bangladesh.
Preston wrote nine of the 12 tracks and, along with his keyboard work and singing, was beginning his ascent as a multi-talented artist. The original album included liner notes by the ever-flowery Derek Taylor, which are reproduced here. The album is pressed on purple vinyl that comes in a custom Dark Horse sleeve, with the album jacket encased in a resealable plastic bag.
The last time the album was reissued on vinyl was in 1991 with a slew of other Apple releases. The release doesn’t sound dated, and Harrison didn’t try to push Preston in any rock or pop direction, resulting in a rootsy, honest effort. The British rock royalty backing him up impressively show off their own restrained R&B and gospel grooves here, making them a major part of the success of this must-have reissue.
With Encouraging Words, his next album, in 1970, Preston came more into his own as an artist. While there are no Preston compositions here to match “That’s The Way God Planned It,” the album shows hints of the distinctive keyboard sound that would propel his future tracks on A&M to chart hits.
Preston also realized his full vision of taking mostly gospel sounds and turning them into something special for the international counterculture set. There are two Harrison covers, with “My Sweet Lord” becoming a singular moment in Preston’s career. There is also a cover of “I’ve Got A Feeling” that Preston originally did with The Beatles for the Let It Be album. “Sing One for the Lord” was cowritten by Preston and Harrison.
The supporting cast, while not featuring Richards, is an even more stellar lineup, including many who would play on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass sessions, along with Ringo Starr, Harrison, Clapton, Delaney Bramlett, Klaus Voormann, the Edwin Hawkins Singers, and members of the touring bands of Sam and Dave and The Temptations.
Like the previous album reissue, the vinyl comes in a custom Dark Horse sleeve, with the album jacket in a resealable plastic bag. This disc, however, is a gold vinyl pressing, and while the original album jacket is replicated, there are no liner notes. Though the original album release didn’t include liner notes, reissuing the album is an opportunity to add this valuable information. Interestingly, this album was reissued by Apple in 2021 to commemorate Preston’s induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
It would have been nice to have mastering and pressing information on these releases. While it is hoped for, it’s doubtful we will see any more non-Beatles Apple albums reissued on vinyl. There were problems with some of the 1991 releases. New vinyl reissues of albums, especially from James Taylor, Badfinger, Mary Hopkin, and the Modern Jazz Quartet, would be cause for celebration.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
That’s the Way God Planned It
B
Encouraging Words
B+
