Concert For George (2DVD)

 

 

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This DVD concert never comes across as a sad Memorial concert for the late great George Harrison, more of a celebration of the life ,love, music ,and most of all faith of a wonderful human being.During George Harrison's tragically short life he touched many people. Obviously he was one of the lovable Moptops from Liverpool ,who's music and attitude changed the world as we know it. He also started the charity music culture with his concert for Bangla Desh in 1971. ( Would there have been a Live Aid etc with out the Charity concert held for the starving people of Bangla Desh if he had not been for George Harrison's groundbreaking concert a decade before?0 He almost single handedly made the world AWARE of whole new cultures from the Asia. Not forgetting his own solo career, at first the most successful Beatle to go solo, his first releases back in 1970 went to Number One all over the world with his magnificent triple album " All Things Must Pass",and the single taken from it " My Sweet Lord''.
George also formed Handmade movies which saved the masterpiece " The Life Of Brian " by Monty Python ( George actually has a walk on part as the Mayor if you look closely.) the world would definitely be a sadder place without that little Python masterpiece.
This double DVD package has the first DVD devoted to the whole concert in it's correct running order, so that all of us that were not able to be there on that magical night at the Albert Hall in London on November 29 2002 can get an inkling of what was going on . The second DVD gives you snippets of the concert intererspersed with interviews from Georges friends,rehearsals and backstage footage ,interesting and sometimes hilarious stuff. There is over 2 hours and twenty minutes of material on DVD Two , whilst the concert on Disc One lasts for nearly 2 1/2 hours.
There are too many musical highlights to mention them all. But before I list the group of friends that turned up to celebrate Georges life ,and what songs they decided to play, I shall try to point out a few.
The concert starts out with a specially composed piece by Ravi Shankar written for George 'Aspan',where what I can only call a blend of Asian Folk/Orchestra meets western influences the results are quite stunning, with Ravi's daughter playing the sitar as beautifully as she looks , and she is very beautiful, matching Eric Clapton when he joins her on acoustic guitar. The Monty Python team, get on stage for two songs, the wonderful irreverence of the songs would have had George rolling around the aisles in laughter, notice also Tom Hanks the movie star having the time of his life as a Mountie in the chorus line.Eric Clapton does a wonderful job as musical director as well as contributing some stunning guitar work ,especially in recreating his solo from" My Guitar Gently Weeps '' from the Beatles 'White Album'. Poor Ringo barely keeping his emotions under control whilst singing 'Photograph'. It is also the first time that Paul McCartney , Billy Preston and Ringo Starr have all performed on the same stage together since a certain legendary roof top concert over thirty years ago.Although the concert would not of been the same without Paul McCartney, he for once does not dominate proceedings leaving plenty of room for others to shine ,and shine they do. George Harrison' son Dhani himself a fine musician is often allowed center stage.Whilst George Harrison's old mucker Joe Brown brings the concert to an emotional climax. The set from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in the middle of the second section is simply stunning. Tom Petty was in George Harrison's other group the Traveling Wilburys with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne,and Roy Orbison.Look out for the guitar solo from Albert Lee during " Honey Don't" it raises the Albert Hall Roof a few inches higher.The singing of Sam Brown and Gary Brooker are as ever highlights of any concert.
This DVD delivers in every possible aspect,and would not disappoint anybody with even a passing interest in the life and times of George Harrison. There is also a double CD of this concert which is nice to have whilst driving the car , but you get so much more with the DVD.
By Mott the Dog. Edited by Ella Crew.

Best concert film I know of. Fabulous music, great performers and performances, fun and touching interviews. I never knew that just repeating instruments ( 5 guitars, 3 drum kits, 2 base players, 2 keyboardists ) could do so much for the sound...so full, so rich ....you would think that they would become redundant at some point but they don't, it's amazing. I don't know how George's music could ever sound any better. Bravo to everyone involved!

This should be the model for all concert DVD's. Disc two contains the theatrical version while disc one has the complete show from beginning to end. As much as I love "Back In The U.S," I wish they had packaged it in this manner. The audio and video are simply superb, couldn't have been better. The packaging is great, with the tri-fold containing the discs and booklet inside a sleeve. I can think of only one drawback to the DVD. It would have been nice to have included a biography of all the onstage performers from the concert. There are so many that I'm not familiar with. The show was taped in the 133 year old Royal Albert Hall in London on the first anniversary of George's death, November 29, 2002. The concert opens with Olivia lighting candles and then Eric Clapton walks out, speaks briefly, then introduces Ravi Shankar, who says a few words. Anoushka Shankar(Ravi's daughter and the half-sister of Norah Jones) plays an 8 minute piece on the sitar. I enjoy Indian music and she is as beautiful as she is talented. Then she and others accompany Jeff Lynne on "The Inner Light." I particularly enjoy this number. This is followed by a long piece written by Ravi, called "Arpan." He wrote this in tribute to George and both the Indian and Western orchestras play on it. Eric Clapton joins in late on the acoustic guitar. There are moments that I enjoy but overall, I didn't care for this number. I don't care for the next segment at all.I've never cared for Monty Python and their contribution to the show was boring and vulgar, as usual. BTW, although it isn't mentioned to the audience, Tom Hanks is part of their act. Next, the Pop music portion opens with ''I Want to Tell You.'' The instrumentation and vocals are great on this tune. A few highlights from this segment would be....."Here Comes The Sun"-Joe Brown"Horse To The Water''-Sam Brown(Joe's daughter)"Taxman"-Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers"Honey Don't"-Ringo"For You Blue"-Paul McCartney"Something"-It's great when the Clapper and Macca do a brief duet on this one."My Sweet Lord"-Billy Preston This track is simply awesome. Billy sings better than ever. As a Christian, I can't agree with the Hindu aspects of this tune, but I must admit the melody is beautiful."Wah Wah"-Everybody plays on this, but the primary vocal is done by Jeff Lynne, who does a great job."I'll See You In My Dreams"-Joe Brown is incredible on this old standard. It's very poignant as the confetti falls and the camera switches to a giant photo in the arena of a young George holding a guitar. Eric Clapton is great as the emcee, but I only wish that Paul and Ringo had played a bigger part in the show. It would also have been great if George Martin and Pattie could have been there and maybe said a few words. It's really eerie seeing George's son, Dhani onstage playing the guitar. He has a strong resemblance to his father. I recommend this excellent DVD to any Beatles or George fan. I guarantee, you will watch it again and again and........

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1.0 out of 5 stars Buyer Beware
I bought this DVD which took over a month to arrive and when It arrived I tried to paly it.Across the screen came a warning "NOT VIEWABLE IN YOUR REGION" in the ad it said the... Read more

Published 15 months ago by James J. Stothers

5.0 out of 5 stars Concert for George - A Rocking Good Time
If you are a fan of George Harrison, The Beatles, Eric Clapton and the music of the 70's this is a great concert. Read more

Published 21 months ago by Hayuitsme

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of heart, a great send off for an iconic man
I grew up with the Beatles. This tribute to George was the most amazing event in a long time. So glad all of his facets were captured and honored in this concert.

Published on April 5 2010 by Megan E. Bishop-scott

5.0 out of 5 stars I absolutely loved this set!
He might be the Beatle we least knew, but judging from the wonderful efforts the friends that knew him, deeply loved him, judging from the efforts they made for this concert held... Read more

Published on Mar 2 2007 by James S. Oliver

5.0 out of 5 stars Unreal
No question, this is the best of the best. The recording is exceptional, and just when you think it's over, Wah-Wah takes over. Read more

Published on July 17 2004 by Marty

5.0 out of 5 stars for George
Absolutely brilliant. Clapton, Lynne, Joe Brown, Petty, Ringo and all definately celebrated George's anniversary. Read more

Published on July 8 2004 by James M. Duffy

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect tribute for a remarkable man
I was never so inspired and touched by a live concert in my life. I have purchased this DVD for family and friends who would truly appreciate the remarkable man... Read more

Published on July 8 2004 by Karen L. Skidmore

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply. Phenomenal.
Beatles fans, take note: This is quite possibly the last time you'll ever see anything resembling a Beatles reunion. Read more

Published on July 7 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars A Touching Concert For A Great Man
I always was a George Harrison fan. He always seemed underrated in the Beatles,and after,but from the many booksI read he seemed like a very kind,gentle soul. Read more

Published on July 7 2004 by E. Berst

5.0 out of 5 stars A Nearly Perfect Tribute Concert
Posthumus tribute concerts can be a tricky proposition in the wrong hands: observe the several ill-advised John Lennon tributes, featuring singers and musicians he never knew, and... Read more

Published on July 7 2004 by D. Movahedpour

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