"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. When the Edwin Hawkins Singers arrived in London in January, they too recorded with Preston, adding gospel vocals to "My Sweet Lord" and "Sing One for the Lord".