Harrison and Preston, was one of the first recordings the pair made together, in February 1969. In a 1971 interview, Preston said of their respective cross-denominational approach: "The names change: his is Krishna; mine is Christ. The spiritual promotion praising God, chanting, spreading it, turning people onto it – these are the things we have in common." Harrison also let Preston record "My Sweet Lord", the writing for which began, with input from Preston, when they were in Copenhagen in December 1969 during Delaney & Bonnie and Friends' European tour. Originally titled "Drop Out", the song "Encouraging Words" contains lyrics in which Preston urges: "Be kind, be cool, and be careful / Have hope, keep the faith, baby, and be grateful." In the same 1971 interview, Preston said: "My message is to change the image of most entertainers as 'stars', singing lollipop shit. I want to give people something that they'll really remember, to help their lives ... and what I'm talking about is God – a good, solid message that makes you think." The majority of the songs were written by Preston alone, with occasional input from gospel singers Jesse Kirkland and Joe Greene. Recording Following the completion of That's the Way God Planned It in July 1969, Harrison and Preston were due to begin work on further recordings in November, starting with a new single. When Preston's return to Britain was delayed by problems in obtaining a work permit, Harrison used the available time to join his friend Eric Clapton on the Delaney & Bonnie tour. The sessions with Preston instead began in London in mid to late December. Encouraging Words retained some of the all-star personnel from its predecessor − again featuring Clapton as well as Harrison on guitar − augmented by the likes of Ringo Starr, Klaus Voormann and various members of Delaney & Bonnie's band. Studio records state that Clapton played guitar on "Encouraging Words", along with Delaney Bramlett; on "Right Now", recorded in December 1969, and chosen to open the album; and "Use What You Got", which Harrison decided to remake rather than use the version that Preston had recorded for Capitol in 1968. In the same way, a new version of "Let the Music Play" was taped, at Olympic Studios in January 1970. Other contributors to the sessions included members of the Temptations' and Sam and Dave's backing bands, since both of these