Preston's version of "My Sweet Lord" differs from Harrison's later reading in that the "hallelujah" refrain appears from the start of the song and, rather than the full mantra section, the words "Hare Krishna" are sung only twice throughout the whole track. With the Vedic prayer also absent, Leng views this original recording as a possible "definitive 'roots' take'" of the song, citing its "pure gospel groove" and Hawkins' participation. In his review of "Encouraging Words", Bruce Eder of AllMusic describes "My Sweet Lord" and "All Things Must Pass" (another Harrison composition originally given to Preston to record) as "stunning gospel numbers ... that make the Harrison versions seem pallid". but otherwise, "Encouraging Words" made little impression commercially. The album and single releases were delayed for at least two months in the United States. There, "My Sweet Lord" climbed to number 90 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 by the end of February 1971, helped by the enormous success of Harrison's version. Preston's single also peaked at number 23 on "Billboard"s Best Selling Soul Singles chart. In March 1971, he recorded a live version with King Curtis that was released in 2006 on the expanded edition of Curtis's album "Live at Fillmore West". He was initially reluctant to record the song, for fear of committing himself to such an overt religious message. In "I, Me, Mine", he states: "I was sticking my neck out on the chopping block because now I would have to live up to something, but at the same time I thought 'Nobody's "saying" it; I wish somebody else was doing it.'"