Encouraging Words, Billy Preston’s fifth studio album, was released in September 1970 through Apple Records. It marked his second and final project for the Beatles’ label before signing with A&M Records. Co-produced by Preston and George Harrison, the album featured the first released versions of Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and “My Sweet Lord,” appearing two months ahead of Harrison’s own recordings on his landmark triple LP All Things Must Pass.

Preston’s take on “My Sweet Lord” was issued as a single and reached number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1971, though the album itself did not chart in the US or UK. While commercially overlooked, Encouraging Words has since been praised by some critics as one of Apple’s strongest non-Beatles releases.