Concert for George

George was a great songwriter and this tribute to him was wonderful. I particularly liked that George's son was there, playing with the various musicians. You won't be sorry if you were a fan of the Beatles. Ringo and Paul also participated.

My favorite music all in one place

Managed by Eric Clapton and features Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Ringo Star, and Paul McCartney. High quality video and audio and made in 2002, it is wonderful music of George Harrison and the Beatles. Fantastic!

Thank you, Eric Clapton, for giving us the blessing of this beautiful and moving concert in honor of George. I grew up listening to the Beatles, and always had a particular affection for George and Ringo, the two 'stabilizing' members of the band. I always appreciated George's quiet consideration before speaking, and his thoughtfulness and the fundamental goodness of his heart. When George died, I was deeply saddened like many millions of others, and thought that no tribute or monument could ever do him justice.I was wrong. The Concert for George, primarily organized by his long time friend Eric Clapton, provided just the catharsis that his friends and fans needed. I was amazed that these close personal friends and relatives (Dhani was on stage the entire set) didn't get choked up at any point during the show, because I sure did (during 'Photograph'.) In fact the show was hard for me to watch the first time as I wanted to hear George singing. Eric said it best in an interview, though, when he explained that at first rehearsals were tough to get through, but the rehearsals and show provided a mechanism of grieving to all his personal friends. That explained it brilliantly: They had time to work through it, while the viewer at home did not. (Who says rock stars can't be truly insightful?) The musicians obviously worked very hard to get this just right and they succeeded brilliantly: this DVD beautifully captures it all.There are actually two DVDs in the set, one is the unabridged concert, and the other is the edited concert for theatrical release and some short subjects. I recommend watching the unabridged concert first. It opens with Anoushka Shankar playing some Indian music, which, of course, George loved. I don't really care for it, but it was soulful and well performed. George was a huge Monty Python fan, and the Pythons were up next and performed "The Lumberjack Song" after a heartwarming spoof of a eulogy by Michael Palin that George would have loved. For me it was all good, but some of it was amazing. Ringo was a standout with "Photograph", which is still the best Ringo song, and a song that Ringo and George wrote together, and "Honey Don't", an old Carl Perkins song that George loved. Eric Clapton was wonderful on everything he performed on; I particularly liked his pseudo-duet with Paul on "Something", and with the whole ensemble on "Wah Wah", which had breathtaking percussion, and, of course, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", a song veritably made for him.Without question though, the greatest performer in the show was Joe Brown, a major institution in early British rock, but today relatively unknown in the US. Joe's main set started with a hauntingly beautiful rendition of "Here Comes the Sun", and then went to "That's The Way It Goes", a song I have always loved, but never got the acclaim it deserved. Joe also closed the show with the dreamy "I'll See You in My Dreams", and he sang it like he meant it. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the beautiful "Isn't It a Pity" by the multitalented Billy Preston, who would have won the best dressed award.There were a couple of weaker performances to be seen. None that were overtly bad, but they certainly were not up to the standards of the rest of the show. The primary offenders here were Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, who are normally great, but came across as lifeless and flat. I also found Jeff Lynne's voice to sound a bit tired, especially when he sang a verse of "Wah Wah" and to a lesser degree on "The Inner Light." I (really) hate to say it, but I also found Paul's version of "For You Blue" a bit dull. I think it's interesting that Paul picked a song of George's from "Let It Be", an album where tempers ran high and contentiousness prevailed; perhaps that has clouded my vision a bit on the subject. Despite that, it was wonderful seeing Paul and Ringo play together again, and I have to wonder if that's the last time we'll be able to see that.Extras include a behind the scenes and rehearsal video, which is very interesting, a wonderful interview video, and a backstage video of the Monty Python crew. All are well done and worth watching.For any fan of George's this is a must. I never thought that I could like this DVD as much as I do since I knew I would miss hearing George on the songs. After a few viewings, though, I now feel happy when I watch it, and have found it to be a fitting tribute to a great man. While we will always miss you, George, I will always be grateful for this beautiful and befitting tribute.I'll see you in my dreams.

as described.

Mostly great, very well-performed and nicely recorded DVD. I really appreciate that the editing was just done "straight", without gimmicky special effects (such as slow-motion, text overlays, long audience shots, or other non-concert footage). Music fans like myself want to just see the concert as it was, as if they were there, and that's exactly how it's presented here. The sound quality is mostly great too, though I think they should have given us true LPCM for the 2 track audio (for me, ANY concert DVD should be in LPCM audio, since it's about the music). But that's a minor quibble.Almost all of the concert is a large band playing George's songs, with a variety of lead singers. Mostly this works; the musicians and singers are very good, and for the most part well-known friends of GH. Though sometimes I found myself wishing for a smaller band on at least some of the songs; feeling as George might have said that it's "All Too Much". A couple of positive surprises were Gary Brooker - I never heard of him, but he's great on piano and lead vocal for "Old Brown Shoe" - and Sam Brown, a great looking woman with a soulful voice for "Horse to Water". The role of lead vocal and lead guitar rested a little too often (for my taste) with Eric Clapton, should have featured Paul McCartney a little more perhaps, but otherwise was fine. One major disappointment though is that George's son Dhani is seen but not heard. Dhani is on stage a lot with a large hollow-body guitar, and appears to be singing and playing. But Dhani gets no solos whatsoever, so we never really get to hear his voice or guitar distinctly. Perhaps the concert organizers thought Dhani would be nervous or not-ready-for-prime-time, but I'd have rather heard him take the lead a time or two anyway. After all, this was supposed to be about George, not just an assembly of slick musicians.Also, I'd have liked to have heard more words about George, especially from Tom Petty and Paul McCartney. We hear plenty from Clapton and Ravi Shankar, but not enough from McCartney, and virtually nothing from Petty - despite the fact that Petty and George were very good friends with a long history going back to the 1970's, and Petty normally has plenty to say (as does McCartney, of course). At the very least, I'd have liked the participants to have written some words about George, to be printed in the DVD booklet as a tribute to him and their friendship. The booklet has some nice pictures of George's life, but not much personal text.Since I'm particularly a fan of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, I'll write a bit about their set. Interestingly, they play mostly without the large "George band" on two songs, then leave after their set (Petty returns for "Wah Wah", though he has a Dhani-like role there of being seen but not really heard). Anyway, the Heartbreakers mostly sound great, though as some have noted, Petty's voice is not well suited for "Taxman". On "I Need You" however, Petty really shines, with a plaintive take on the lead vocal, leading to a new appreciation of one of George's earliest songs. Lead guitarist Mike Campbell and keyboardist Benmont Tench don't get as much of a chance to shine as they usually do in concert, so that will be a minor disappointment for Heartbreakers fans. Bassist Ron Blair and drummer Steve Ferrone are very solid and strongly heard, no disappointment there. The Heartbreakers are joined for their third and last song by Jeff Lynne and Dhani; Lynne sounds great on George's Wilbury song "Handle With Care". Petty does ok (passable, but not as good as George, and not as good as on the "Soundtage" DVD) with the intro vocal on that song, but how great would it have been if Dhani had been given that intro vocal part? Would have brought the house down in my opinion, would have been the highlight of the show - no doubt about it. What could have been, oh well.Still, this is a very worthwhile DVD/concert. As to the Indian music, I found it very tedious and couldn't get through it, but maybe that's just my Western ears. Be sure to hear George's "The Inner Light" though, that's worth a full listen (and has Jeff Lynne on vocals). And while I do like Monty Python normally, their performances were unfortunately tasteless and not particularly funny (if you must watch one though, definitely make it the Lumberjack Song and not Sit On My Face).

Classic dvd concert

A most moving tribute to a humble and yet hugely influential musician from so many of his friends that some had to be turned away. George's wife Olivia had veto power over the participants but it was down to Eric Clapton to deliver the painful rebuff which he would always preface with an embarrassed, "With the greatest possible respect ...". The concert, which took place on the first anniversary of the ex-Beatle's death, unites on stage a vast group of some of the most talented musicians alive, all of them good mates of George's. That he was able to cultivate meaningful relationships with so many diverse musos really tells a lot about Harrison as a human being.This whole package has the stamp of quality about it. An event meticulously planned (3 weeks of rehearsals), orchestrated and pulled off with the single-minded determination of love, that turned into a night the spectators in the Royal Albert Hall will never forget. Fortunately for the rest of us, it was captured on film and packaged as a two-disc DVD.Disc One consists of three parts: the first is a 35-minute performance of Indian music courtesy of Harrison's great friend and mentor Ravi Shankar. Ravi's daughter Anoushka, a sitar virtuoso, opens this mesmerizing portion, accompanied at first by a single tabla (an Indian percussion instrument). For her second piece (a song written by George Harrison), Jeff Lynne sings and plays guitar and more instruments join in, both Indian and non, and Dhani on piano. Anoushka then directs the other Indian musicians in a number called "Arpan" (which means "offering") composed for the occasion by Ravi Shankar to honour George and his life. Ravi's wife (a former singer) contributes a vocal solo, and Eric Clapton plays acoustic guitar at the end. It was a beautiful and moving tribute by people who clearly felt deep emotions but chose to express them in music. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed the Indian segment immensely and often play it as background music when I don't have time to watch the video. I think it proves the truism that when something is done extremely well, anyone can appreciate it.The second part is basically a comic tribute from the Monty Python troupe and friends dressed as Canadian Mounties. To appreciate the significance of this segment, it helps to know that Harrison was a huge Python fan and financed the production of "Life of Brian" when the original producer dropped out at the last moment. This light-hearted and irreverent segment reminded us of George's exuberant sense of humour and served to lift the mood, when it would have been all too easy to sink into maudlin sentimentality.The third part, billed as "George's Band" gets the most play in my house. Here the chosen musicians take turns in performing a selection from the surprisingly vast catalogue of music written by the ex-Beatle, always staying true to his original arrangement. As Eric Clapton explains, on the night every single one of them gave their best ever performance and the emotion is palpable.The full list of musicians and the songs performed is readily available, so I won't repeat that information. It's also pointless to mention my personal favourites, just about every song would qualify, but for sheer musicianship, I have to single out Gary Brooker's version of "Old Brown Shoe", a particularly difficult song which Gary sang and played with great gusto to Clapton's evident satisfaction. "Beware of Darkness" really got to me, "Isn't It A Pity", "Something" and the finale "I'll See You in My Dreams" performed by Joe Brown with a tiny ukulele come to mind, and if you have a dry eye as the rose petals fall, well ... what can one say? But the beauty of this concert is that it was fantastic from start to finish. The bit when Ringo and then Paul come on stage to do their songs is particularly moving, but for the rest it is a joyful, uplifting performance.Disc Two contains the theatre release of the concert, which is not as good as the full concert. Some of the songs, out of order and interrupted by random bits of interviews. The Extras section, on the other hand, is excellent: three features, mirroring the three parts of the concert, and a fourth one devoted to Interviews. Finally there is a Photo Gallery, which is a slide show of stills of the concert.The audio options are: DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Digital stereo and, in my opinion, the sound mix is superb, courtesy of the legendary Jeff Lynne who surpasses himself here as audio producer. The entire concert is subtitled in seven languages. Visually, it is a feast for the eye, filmed with great skill by fourteen camera-people and providing good coverage of all the musicians on stage. During some of the later numbers like "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", there are some terrific sideways shots showing 3 or even 4 drummers playing in perfect synchrony. Pure class.If there is a better live concert DVD, I have yet to see it, although  Roxy Music - Live at the Apollo [DVD] [2001 ] and  In Concert With The Danish National Concert Orchestra & Choir [DVD] [2009] [NTSC ] are also superb, but with a different vibe. This one is very special. Roxy Music - Live at the Apollo [DVD] [2001In Concert With The Danish National Concert Orchestra & Choir [DVD] [2009] [NTSC

If you read the reviews below you will see why this dvd has such consistently high ratings. I can only add my voice to what everyone else has said. I will try to say a few things others have not . . . forgive the abundance of superlatives; as with other reviewers, it is hard not to over-use them. Watch this concert yourself and you will understand. I have had this dvd now for two years and am still watching it and being inspired by it.There is truly an incomparable feelgood factor that immediately strikes you as soon as you start watching. It uplifts the heart to see such love and regard from so many luminaries of rock as well as a few you may not have heard of but who are nevertheless up there with the greats. These include Sam Brown, daughter of Joe, who performs the last song George recorded in his lifetime, 'Horse to the Water', with Jools Hollands band. Why does this not appear on the cd of the concert? There is Andy Fairweather-Lowe who is a longtime friend of and rhythm guitarist with Eric Clapton, who provides accurate and at times exquisite guitar work - listen to him on 'That's the way it goes' performed by Joe Brown's band.George Harrison, if you don't already know, was a man of great heart, a philanthropist, a Spiritual seeker who wasn't reticent in speaking his truth and was, as his old friend Derek Taylor, the Beatles press officer once said, 'The boldest man I've ever met.' Without taking anything away from John Lennon, George was a more compassionate and understanding individual in some ways and wiser in how he put across what he had to say. John was undoubtedly influential through his music but I do wonder if his myth would not be less if he hadn't been killed. George, however, quietly got on with it without shouting the odds and in so many ways I believe deserves many of the honours given to his brother Beatle, and more. He was no saint, though, and would be appalled to be thought as anything approaching it; contrary to what the blindness of some people would like to believe, he was as much a player in the acrimony of the Beatles final years as Lennon and McCartney and his difficult relationship with Macca, long since healed, was a full 50% down to him. Just watch and listen to Macca in his performances in this concert and the love and grief is pouring out of him. In many ways it is certain of George's frailties that gives touching testament to his more noble qualities.The reason for saying all this is that this concert, so beautifully performed and recorded for us all, and for George's Material World Foundation, shows the highest regard in which he was held by friends and peers. Every nuance of his life and Spirit are captured here. Most of all the love and joy that fills the whole occasion is very much the love and joy George himself had for others and which he experienced transcendentally, especially in his final years. Listen to 'Brainwashed' his final, posthumously released album, to hear that quality.For those unused to Indian music I would say: watch this. It is a staggering portrayal of an art form the West doesn't readily understand and which I, too, have found hard to listen to at times. In this concert you may well be amazed and held spellbound as was I at the virtuosity of the Indian music, the musicians and most of all Ravi Shankar himself. It is wonderful that this form of music, which George loved so much, should be showcased in this way at his memorial concert. Near the end of the piece Eric Clapton joins in on acoustic guitar, putting his musical neck on the line in a way that could have been disastrous but was in fact a remarkable achievement.Talking of Eric, for me, his playing in this concert was his best ever. Particularly, his performance on 'While my guitar gently weeps' is a pinnacle in his expression of emotion through his guitar.Finally, George's songs, so many of which are played here, all with excellence, give one a sense that we can be be better than we realise if we just make a little effort in our lives. That is his enduring legacy of Spirit, as his songs are an enduring legacy of beauty.

George was always my favourite one of the Fab Four- shame that Lennon and Macca didn't appreciate his material and talent during the Beatles years.As mentioned by many of the reviewers already, it is a great concert for a very talented man- so full of his wonderful music played by his friends with love and emotion.Uncanny to see Dhani looking so like his father!Absolutely loved the Billy Preston/Eric Clapton version of 'Isn't it a pity'Have watched it many times and am always reduced to tears by Joe Brown's rendition of 'See you in my dreams' and the falling petals.Buy it- watch it (again and again) and keep the tissues handy!

The heartfelt tribute of George Harrison's friends to George 1 year after his death by performing his songs quite brilliantly is inspiring. An uplifting concert, beautifully filmed, starring big name artists, is kicked off by Ravi Shankar's sublime composition in tribute to George, followed by the performance of George's songs by his assembled friends. Given George's friends are led by Eric Clapton and James Lynne, this concert is full of sublime performances fuelled by a common love for their friend.A definitive memory of George Harrison, and his contribution to music and our lives. A worthy piece of his legacy. Thank you!

This beautifully produced DVD is stunning on all levels. More than just a film of an exceptional concert, it perfectly captures George Harrison's life & music and, above all, the love that he gave and received from his friends and family.The evening itself builds from a wonderful opening sequence of Indian music into a quite superb rock concert featuring just about everyone George played with over the years. Packed full of stand-out numbers too many to list, their renditions of "If I Needed Someone", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Horse To The Water" are quite breathtaking. And, with virtually no "I knew George..." speeches, and with none of the "stellar" names seeking to steal the limelight, it's a brilliantly sequenced and perfectly played celebration of one man's music.By the end, and with no less than four drummers, nine guitarists and four organists now on stage, the final number - "Wah Wah" - could/should have been a musical nightmare. But, through the sheer quality of musicianship and Eric Clapton's outstanding musical production it is, in fact, the complete opposite... a thundering celebration of everything that's good about rock music which, aided by superb film editing (including several amazing shots of the huge percussion section in full, perfectly synchronised swing), is quite simply the most exciting live performance I've ever seen. And for the encore... Joe Brown's simple, ukulele backed rendition of "I'll See You In My Dreams" is a deeply poignant and wholly apt closing to a night totally devoid of "rock star" ego & excess.And there's more, for the interviews and rehearsal sequences on DVD Two are not only entertaining in themselves, but re-inforce the over-riding impressions of friendship and admiration from all those involved. Not just a bunch of interesting "out-takes" but an integral part of capturing the background to, and reasons for, such a unique event.Eric Clapton's body language while standing behind Joe Brown's heart-rending encore sums it all up - respect, love, sadness, and... quite rightly, dignified pride for a job well done in giving a dear friend the best possible send-off.