Update (1/22/02) From Fred Lark:

Steve:

Super glad to see the CD single re-release top the charts in the U.K..., but as always there is a minor complaint/consideration. Wouldn't it have been nice if "they" could've chosen a few other cuts from the sessions that produced "Let It Down" (the "ATMP Unplugged", as I call 'em). They only selected two for the remastered "ATMP". The CD single allowed an opportunity to see a few more see the light of day, such as "Window Window", "Beautiful Girl", "Tell Me What's The Matter With You" etc.., in the same mindblowingly glorious quality (well.., maybe the box set is still on the burner?!) Thanks

Update (1/20/02) British fans did it: Thirty-one years after it first topped the charts in 1971, the "My Sweet Lord" charity single is No. 1 in Britain again, reports Ananova. It also made history: It was the first time one deceased star (Harrison) has knocked another deceased star (Aaliyah) from the top of the charts. (Aaliyah's song dropped to No. 5.) Proceeds from the re-release of "My Sweet Lord" were to make up a fund administered by the Material World Charitable Foundation established by George in 1973. "We are very happy that the reissue of My Sweet Lord continues to spread George Harrison's music and message around the world," a spokesman for EMI said.

Update (1/16/02) The re-released "My Sweet Lord" is selling so well it should reach No. 1 next week, reports Ananova, NME.com and Reuters. It's outselling its nearest competitor, Pink's "Get The Party Started" by over 3,000 copies. The single was released in the UK Monday and the U.S. Tuesday. HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo told NME.COM: "As a charity single you'll not only get countless George Harrison and Beatles fans buying it, but it's likely to crossover to a much wider audience, who will want to buy it as a tribute. It's also a classic song, than can expect lots of radio airplay and is guaranteed extensive media coverage. All in all, it's got the key requisites of a Number One single." If it does hit No. 1, it'll bump another posthumous single -- Aaliyah's "More Than a Woman."

And here's a review of the single by Carl Savich:

On January 15, 2002, Capitol Records and George Harrison's Gnome Records re-released the remastered version of the 1971 "My Sweet Lord" single. The demo "Let It Down", which was released on the ATMP album in the 2001 remaster, is the second song on the "My Sweet Lord" reissue. The third song on the CD single is "My Sweet Lord (2000)" which appeared on the 2001 ATMP remaster. All the tracks are listed as written by George Harrison and published by Harrisongs. Ltd. The producers are george Harrison and Phil Spector. The original enhineers are Ken Scott, Phil McDonald with thanks to Eddie Klein. Ken Scott was the engineer on the 2000 remaster version. The songs were remastered by Jon Astley. The selections are taken off the ATMP album released in 2001 and are identical to the album cuts. The CD single cover of a greenish-blue flower is from original photography done by Geroge Harrison himself. So not only is all the music and lyrics by Harrison, but the artwork (the album cover) is by Harrison too. EMI owns the copyright to the 1971 sound recording of "My Sweet Lord". Harrison owns the copyright to the songs "Let It Down", the 2001 demo version, and "My Sweet Lord (2000)". The disc is manufactured by Capitol Records in the US. The cover artwork features the flower photograph taken by George Harrison. The title appears as follows: "George Harrison My Sweet Lord". The back cover is the same flower photo only smaller and the flower is violet in color. The CD itself is violet in color with the same flower in the center and same title. The Capitol and Gnome logos appear on the CD. The sound quality is excellent. The guitars and vocals are up front in this CD single version. The acoustic guitars in the original MSL and the "Let It Down" demo are prominent. George Harrison's remarkable and innovative slide guitar work can be heard very clearly on both versions of MSL. The vocals are also up front. What tends to be lost is the Phil Spector production. The original MSL sounds gritty and a little flat in this CD single version in that you hear the guitars more and less of the Spector orchestration. Overall, the sound quality is excellent and flawless. George Harrison the musician and vocalist sounds great. In the opening of the new version of MSL, Harrison even plays the sitar. The slide guitar work throughout is amazing. Proceeds from the sale of the single will go to the Material Word Foundation charity. This reissue of My Sweet Lord is a fitting tribute to Harrison and to this classic number one song from 1970. "My Sweet Lord" is a totally unique and original comcept, a purely religious song by a popular musician that was not a traditional or standard religious song. The song was a personal exploration of religion that sought to find a new vision. MSL was a landmark record that was no.1 for 5 weeks. The reissue pays homage to that remarkable achievement.

Update (1/15/02)

Update (1/13/02) From William McMartin:

I picked up the my Sweet Lord single today at Music World here in Toronto. The cover is the negative picture shown on your web site. the CD itself has the same picturebut it is a lilac colour. The track listing is the same as stated previousy here.
Bye for now
Bill

Update (1/11/02) Rolling Stone reports that proceeds from the U.S. re-release of "My Sweet Lord" will also aid the Self-Realization Fellowship, a California organization that promotes the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Update (1/8/02)

Update (12/30/01) From Evelyn Schwarz:

Hi Steve, On EMI Germany's website there's still no cover pic for the scheduled Jan 14, 2002, CD-single, but tracks & number:
EMI 5504382
1 My Sweet Lord
2 Let It Down
3 My Sweet Lord 200 (Different Version)
Greetings from snowed inGermany and all the best for the New Year !

Evelyn

Update (12/29/01) Amazon.com is showing the pic of the lily we showed you the other day as the pic that will be on the cover of the single. (Thanks to Ian.)

Update (12/24/01) From Chris Kelly:

The description of the new My Sweet Lord single cover sounds remarkably similar to some desktop wallpaper that could be downloaded from the 'All Things Must Pass' website. I've attached a small thumbnail of it. (See left.)

Update (12/20/01) From Matt Hurwitz:

Hi, Steve--

The sleeve design for the reissue of George's "My Sweet Lord" will feature a front cover photo taken by George himself. The picture is of a water lily floating in the water - but the color process is reversed, so the colors appear in negative.

Matt Hurwitz

Update (12/16/01) From Matt Hurwitz, a few more details on the "My Sweet Lord" reissue:

Hi, Steve--

I just got some details for the upcoming "My Sweet Lord" reissue. It will be a 3-track CD single, with titles as selected by the family:

1. My Sweet Lord
2. Let It Down (acoustic version - the bonus track version on the ATMP reissue)
3. My Sweet Lord (2000)

The disc will have a brand new sleeve design, not simply reusing the original. Details not yet available.

Matt Hurwitz

Also, Karen Dyson quotes a reliable source at EMD (distributor of Capitol Records and Gnome) as saying "My Sweet Lord" will be re-released in the UK on 14 January and in the USA, January 22 or 29. (Note the press release said Jan. 14 (a Monday), but U.S. releases are on Tuesday.)

(12/13/01)
Here's the press release announcing the reissue of "My Sweet Lord." The single will also include "Let It Down" and "My Sweet Lord 2000":

HOLLYWOOD (ENTERTAINMENT WIRE) -- Capitol Records in the U.S. and Parlophone Records in the U.K. will re-release George Harrison's landmark single "My Sweet Lord" on Jan. 14, 2002, as a tribute to the artist, who died two weeks ago.

Profits from the release of the single will go to charity, although specific details are still not confirmed. A Parlophone spokesman said, "As a tribute to George Harrison, it is vital that we make sure that the single is released when all elements are firmly in place. A release date of Jan. 14 will allow us to do this."

"My Sweet Lord" is the original version, which reached No. 1 in the U.S. and U.K. in January 1971. It is backed with "Let It Down" and also the 2000 version of "My Sweet Lord" which appeared on the recent reissue of "All Things Must Pass."

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