The session for "Far East Man" took place at Wood's home studio in July 1974, during the same month that Boyd left Harrison and joined Clapton on tour in North America. According to his recollection in "I, Me, Mine", Harrison wrote much of the song's lyrics while driving to Wood's house to record the track. The session was a significant one for Harrison, since it introduced him to the rhythm section he subsequently used on his North American tour with Shankar – bassist Willie Weeks and drummer Andy Newmark.