The greatest solo album by any member of The Beatles, George Harrison's 1970 masterpiece "All Things Must Pass" is being released in a number of formats in celebration of the album's 50 year anniversary. Capitol Records provided this writer with a sampler of 34 of the tracks ahead of the Aug. 6, 2021 release.

My immediate reaction upon hearing the remastered tracks and previously-unreleased outtakes is that the seminal masterwork is more impressive than ever. Critics of the so-called "Wall of Sound" applied by co-producer Phil Spector on the original version of the 23-track triple album recorded between May and October of 1970 (and released in November of that year) will be stunned by the clarity and brightness of the 2020 mixes.

Executive produced by George Harrison's son Dhani Harrison and mixed by triple GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer Paul Hicks (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon), the new album mixes are a dramatic improvement in every way. Harrison's singing is clear with the nuanced and emotive touch of his signature baritone truly astonishing; the talents of a parade of legendary musicians who contribute includes Ringo Starr, Badfinger, Billy Preston, Dave Mason, Klaus Voormann, Eric Clapton, Bobby Keys, Gary Wright and many more – their contributions are thankfully more vivid now. And just listen to Harrison's soaring slide guitar work.

The Americana-swept version of Bob Dylan's "If Not For You" and his own "Behind That Locked Door" and "Apple Scruffs" astound. More rocking material ("Wah-Wah," "Let It Down," "Art Of Dying"), fascinating outtakes (including the rockabilly-styled "Going Down To Golders Green" and acoustic demo for "Cosmic Empire") and timeless favorites ("My Sweet Lord," "What Is Life," "Beware Of Darkness") may well have many audiophiles briefly wondering if they are hearing this artistic triumph for the very first time. Information: GeorgeHarrison.com.