Various - Concert For George

Year of Release: 2003
Label: Atlantic / Warner
Catalog Number: 0349-70241-2
Format: DVD
Total Time: 286:00:00

"I miss him so much," says one of his very best friends Eric Clapton. "The only way I can cope with my emotions is by inviting some great friends of George and celebrate his music together." And so, as the most ultimate respect for their friend George Harrison, a fantastic selection of top musicians gathered in the Royal Albert Hall for about a week, rehearsing, reminiscing and above all loving the memory of George. This culminated in a one-off concert held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29th November 2002. For the many millions of fans who wanted to be there on that memorable night but couldn't, this wonderful DVD set is most welcome. Although at first glance the selection of some of the guests might look a little peculiar, believe you me that it all works to perfection! There's a reason to every single move here. When The Beatles stopped, George said he felt the spirit of The Beatles lived on in Monty Python who started when the fab four called it a day. Later on George would produce Monty Python's Life Of Brian movie, which then lead to the launch of Handmade Films. Things coming full circle would become like a trademark for Pisces George Harrison. Hence the inclusion of Michael Palin and Monty Python.

This really great set comes spread over two discs and I would recommend you start with disc two first. Furthermore, I urge you to start with the extras first, as here a lot of interesting background information is given which will make it easier to understand the rest of the film. Especially the information given by Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka Shankar (sister of Norah Jones!) is interesting. Ravi says Harrison was one of the first to blend western culture with Indian culture and here it results in a blend between western and Indian notation, a time consuming activity! With backstage laughs together with Tom Hanks our friends of Monty Python let us know that George Harrison wrote a letter to the BBC after the screening of their very first programme ever. In all honesty they say their first programme wasn't greeted with lots of enthusiasm, but it was George's honest letter of appraisal which made the BBC think again. In typical Python style they pay tribute to George by "mooning" the Albert Hall!

Originally George's son Dhani Harrison would only guest on two songs, but Eric Clapton told Dhani that he couldn't walk on and off the stage, so it was best that he became a full member of the band. So in the end, Dhani becomes the spitting image of his father putting his mark on every single song on the DVD. Furthermore there are short interviews with Ringo Starr, Ravi Shankar, Emil Richards, Jeff Lynne, Ray Cooper, Tom Petty, Joe Brown, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, Dhani Harrison and Jim Keltner to give us even more background information. In fact all of the second DVD gives us the highlights of the show, not in chronological order, and interspersed with bits of interviews and rehearsals. Only 23 tracks out of the 27 played are to be found on the second disc, whilst all of the material can be found in the right order on the first disc. So disc one acts like the actual concert, whilst disc two is more of a documentary. Although one can understand its inclusion, it nevertheless remains a bit difficult to find such a lengthy piece of Indian music right at the very beginning of the show. Of course India, together with Ravi Shankar and the Hare Krishna movement, meant a great deal to George Harrison and his family, so his spirit lives on through their culture as well, but it still marks a big contrast when compared to the rest of the material. But all the stuff that's being played really covers all of George's life, with lots of solo compositions, some Beatles highlights, a Traveling Wilbury classic, as well as songs that feature the ukulele. To everyone that knew George, the ukulele was kind of his all-time favourite instrument, the kind of instrument that would come out of the cupboard as the main ingredient for a jolly knees-up. Joe Brown's fitting final song "I'll See You In My Dreams" not only heavily features the "uke" but in all its simplicity, it perfectly embodies the soul of George Harrison, the silent one.

Concert For George is a fitting tribute to one of rock's all-time heroes who will be missed dreadfully by those who knew him personally, as well as the many millions who came to know him through his music. The first class packaging as well as the diversity and professionalism of the cast illustrates the fact that this tribute came from the heart. It was Eric Clapton's way of dealing with George's death and no doubt a lot of you will feel very comfortable yet near George's spirit when you enter the Royal Albert Hall on 29th November 2002 from the comfort of your own home. Sadly all things must pass, but while his guitar gently weeps, George is with his sweet lord!

Tracklisting:
DVD 1: Complete Concert : Sarve Shaam (Anoushka Shankar) / Your Eyes (Anoushka Shankar) / The Inner Light (Jeff Lynne and Anoushka Shankar) / Arpan (Anouska Shankar) / Sit On My Face (Monty Python) / The Lumberjack Song (Monty Python) / I Want To Tell You (Jeff Lynne) / If I Needed Someone (Eric Clapton) / Old Brown Shoe (Gary Brooker) / Give Me Love (Jeff Lynne) / Beware Of Darkness (Eric Clapton) / Here Comes The Sun (Joe Brown) / That's The Way It Goes (Joe Brown) / Horse To The Water (Jools Holland and Sam Brown) / Taxman (Tom Petty & Heartbreakers) / I Need You (Tom Petty & Heartbreakers) / Handle With Care (Tom Petty & Heartbreakers with Jeff Lynne and Dhani Harrison) / Isn't It A Pity (Billy Preston) / Photograph (Ringo Starr) / Honey Don't (Ringo Starr) / For You Blue (Paul McCartney) / Something (Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton) / All Things Must Pass (Paul McCartney) / Whilst My Guitar Gently Weeps (Billy Preston) / My Sweet Lord (Billy Preston) / Wah Wah (Eric Clapton and band) / I'll See You In My Dreams (Joe Brown)

DVD 2: Theatrical version with additional material: Sarve Shaam / I Want To Tell You / If I Needed Someone / Taxman / Handle With Care / Photograph / Honey Don't / Sit On My Face / The Lumberjack Song / Here Comes The Sun / Horse To The Water / Beware Of Darkness / Isn't It A Pitty / For You Blue / Something / Arpan / The Inner Light / All Things Must Pass / My Sweet Lord / Whilst My Guitar Gentlyweeps / I'll See You In My Dreams / Old Brown Shoe / Give Me Love ? additional material includes: Ravi's orchestra rehearsals, Monty Python backstage, George's band rehearsal, interviews with musicians, photo gallery

Musicians:
Joe Brown - vocals
Eric Clapton - vocals, guitar
Jools Holland - vocals, piano
Sam Brown - vocals
Jeff Lynne - vocals, guitar
Paul McCartney - vocals
Tom Petty - vocals, guitar
Billy Preston - vocals, piano
Ringo Starr - vocals
Dave Bronze - bass
Gary Brooker - keyboards
Jim Capaldi - drums
Ray Cooper - percussion
Dhani Harrison - guitar
Jim Horn - alto sax
Jim Keltner - drums
Katie Kissoon - backing vocals
Albert Lee - guitar
Andy Fairweather Low - guitar
Marc Mann - electric guitar
Tessa Niles - backing vocals
Tom Scott - tenor sax
Henry Spinetti - drums
Cjris Stainton - keyboards
Klaus Voormann - bass


Discography:


Genre: Various Genres

Origin VA

Added: April 18th 2004
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.concertforgeorge.com
Hits: 2275
Language: english