Getty Images

Over 51 years since All Things Must Pass took the rock world by storm, its golden anniversary expanded reissue is reminding people of the power of George Harrison‘s post-Beatles debut. Harrison’s All Things Must Pass “50th Anniversary Edition” has been released in a newly revamped set that pairs the main album with assorted session outtakes and jams. In addition to the original album, the new collection features 42 previously unreleased demos and outtakes.

The 50th anniversary edition of All Things Must Pass has topped the Billboard Top Rock Albums, Catalog Albums, and Tastemakers charts; hit Number Two on the magazine’s Top Album Sales and Vinyl Albums charts, and peaked at Number Seven on the all-important Billboard 200 albums chart.

Harrison’s All Things Must Pass reissue also hit Number One on Britain’s Top Vinyl Chart and Number Six on the Top Album Chart. The album hit Number One on Sweden’s Physical & Vinyl Chart; France’s Catalog Chart; and the Netherlands’ Physical Chart.

George Harrison felt that he was best serving his audience by constantly changing and refining his recorded output: “Not just ‘George Harrison,’ but I think most people change all the time. If you listen to me in ’65, it’s different in ’67, it’s different in ’69, and then through my solo albums. I did the big one at the beginning with all the string players, the choirs, the 10 drummers and Phil Spector. And after I did that one, I just presumed — I like to give the public the benefit of having some sort of sense; thinking, ‘Well just ’cause I’ve done that, everything shouldn’t have to be like that.’ So they know I can do that, this one I’d like to do with pianos, bass, drums (and) guitars.”

Joshua Greene, the author of Here Comes The Sun: The Spiritual And Musical Journey Of George Harrison, recorded with Harrison in 1970 while a part of the Krishna sect Radha Krishna Temple, and recalled how practical Harrison was in the recording studio: “We came in, he said hello to his friends, slapped a few old buddies on the back. Then he started laughing and yukking it up about people’s reactions to a rock group with shaved heads — because he was putting out these albums of Sanskrit mantras. Then he looked at his watch and said ‘Y’know, we better get started, this studio is costing us 40 pounds an hour.’ That was impressive. He might’ve been a Beatle, he might’ve been one of the richest, most successful guys around — but he was very practical.”