Concert for George
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Movie Reviews of Concert for George
Movie Review: Moving, magnificent, tearful and haunting
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a concert that will absolutely break your heart and move you if you love George Harrison or the Beatles. It is lovingly produced, beautifully photographed and as emotional as anything I have ever seen relating to any of the Beatles. I've watched it four times and still am not weary of it, and I doubt any of you will be.There are so many wonderfully poignant images: how about George's son, Dhani, who looks so much like George it's eerie; he moves likle George, strums his guitar like his father and has that goofy, infectious grin that was so much as part of Harrison. When McCartney is singing "For You Blue" and Dhani is directly behind him, I guarantee you will do a double take. Dhani''s interviews also show his charm and humor.
Clapton is magnificent and understated. He plays lead guitar only once throughout the entire concert, and that is appropriately on "White My Guitar Gently Weeps." He sings lead on a few Beatles tracks, but lays back most of the concert, careful not to overshadow the moment or the memory. Jeff Lynne also does a fine job. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers sing "Taxman" and "I Need You," but one wishes Eric would have taken over both those songs.
The applause when Ringo appears is deafening and the infectious way he sings "Photograph" and "Honey Don't" will have you clapping your hands and smiling all over. It must be impossible not to adore Ringo. The Python "Lumberjack" skit includes a surprise appearence by (of all people) Tom Hanks.
And what about Paul? He took so much needless criticism for his appearence here. Many discussions and reviewers claimed he was petulant that Clapton overshadowed him, that his applause wasn't as loud as Ringo's and countless other nit-pickings. I've watched Paul all my life and rarely have I seen him as moved, teary-eyed and emotional as he was this evening. He packed his ego away and did George and the fans proud. Watch Paul as he strums the ukelele while singing "Something." It's obvious he is struggling not to break down and cry. Clapton later said "Paul was never close to George," but Eric is wrong. From 1957-1967 they were very close and Paul knows this. The scenes with Paul are my favorites, he acquits himself beautifully.
While no fan of Ravi's music, even this Indian segments are moving and move along at a rapid clip. Another highlight is Billy Preston belting out the second chorus of one of George's masterpieces, "Isn't it a Pity."
I can's say enough superlatives about this DVD. All George and Beatles fans will cherish this concert.
Movie Review: While my eyes gently weep
Summary: 5 Stars
The best and most touching music video I've seen. But don't buy it for that reason, buy it because the music is untouchable. Performed by the best of the best this is our generations music redone to perfection.Since the video starts with Ravi Shankars tribute to George, titled Arpan or offering, I'll start there too. On first viewing I thought Arpan was perhaps a few minutes too long. On second viewing I was able to focus more on the musicianship and craft of the song and found myself amazed that this Indian orchestra could produce such beautiful but different music.
From the wonderful and heartfelt voices to Ravis daughter on sitar and everything in between this is the best display of Indian musical talent I've ever seen. Beautiful and not a minute too long.
The western band is loaded with superstars including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Jools Holland, Sam Brown, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Dhani Harrison, Billy Preston, Gary Brooker (Procul Harum) and Jim Capaldi. Many others are sprinkled throughout the band. Watch the percussionist!
Some show highlights:
Sam Brown steals the show completely. Her rendition of Horse to Water showcases the soul that the best of George's songs all have. Her voice is wonderful, touching and ballsy at the same time. The band cooks on this one. This should be released as a single.
Paul McCartney on For You Blue. Paul does a few key numbers and then becomes a member of the band, playing in the background like everyone else. On all of his songs his voice shines. Somehow he has returned to the powerful singer he once was and perhaps even better. Ever since Flowers in the Dirt, up to Driving Rain and now in this concert Pauls voice has just gotten better and better. An amazing performance.
Billy Preston on Isn't It a Pity. You have to see it to believe it. Billy is the keyboardist that played with the Beatles on Let It Be and was with them for their last rooftop performance. His soulfull keyboard playing and incredible voice make this song one of the most powerful tributes to George in the concert.
Monty Python and crew perform The LumberJack song and Sit On My Face, very funny. Who would expect to be mooned, in The Hall of Albert, on such an occasion. Look for Tom Hanks in the Mountie group.
Olivia comments at the end, "With Dhani on stage it looks like George got younger while the rest of us aged." Dhani has the looks and mannerisms of his father and is present during most of the concert playing and singing backup.
Summary: Buy the DVD. This is the best Beatle video, the best music video and the best tribute video available.
Movie Review: Emotionally riveting without feeling contrived...
Summary: 5 Stars
George Harrison is, and always will be, my favorite Beatle. Not only was he insanely talented (and too often overshadowed) but he was unpretentous. He never tooted his own horn or acted like he was the king of everything. I miss him terribly and I am so glad that I will always have his beautiful music to keep me company.This concert DVD is enough to convince you of George's brilliance. You can tell how much he touched the lives of all of the performers. And a large picture of George hangs over the stage throughout, reminding you why all of these wonderful people have come together. I'm very gladthat no one tried to steal the show. This could have easily become the Eric Clapton or Paul McCartney show. But both men let George's songs stand as they were originally written.
This concert accomplishes many things all at once. It is one of the most touching tributes I have ever had the pleasure of hearing, but it is also uplifting. The show isn't about crying and feeling grief. It is about celebrating one amazing man and remembering everything that he did. The show starts off with an amazing Indian section. First, Ravi Shankar's daughter Anoushka plays a glorious sitar solo. I was stunned at its beauty and at her talent. Then Jeff Lynne and Anoushka play George's "The Inner Light" together. Finally, an entire orchestra of Indian musicians play "Arpan"- an offering Ravi wrote just for George. It is beautiful and a wonder to watch.
And, just as George was many different things, the mood changes entirely. The Indian music was haunting and lovely. It is followed by the Monty Python cast singing "Sit on My Face" and the Lumberjack Song. Both are incredibly funny and they work somehow. Finally, we reach the Western music portion of the show. Almost every song is a work of art. The only songs I did not enjoy was Tom Petty's whiny version of the incredible "Taxman" and "Horse to the Water" because Jools Holland sounds like she is yelling.
However, every other song is touching and lovely. I especially enjoy Billy Preston's "My Sweet Lord", Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton's "Something" and the riveting "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". I'm so glad that George's brilliance is so evident in this concert. He is just as, if not more, talented than John Lennon and Paul McCartney. You should buy this DVD right away because it is a wonderful experience and it will remind you of all of the great songs given to us by George.
God bless you, George and I hope you enjoyed the show.
Movie Review: Inspiring
Summary: 5 Stars
George Harrison died on December 1st, 2001. Three days before that, on November 28th, my beloved wife was diagnozed with cervix cancer.
Imagine that, if one of these guys, so rich and powerful, with access to the better clinics in the world, the best doctors, the latest and more expensive medicines and technology, could not beat the deadly cancer... what chances do ordinary people like us have? I read the news of his death and that was the thought that first crossed my mind.
Needless to say, I felt sad to hear it. If there was a world-wide Beatle fan ranking, I guess I would be in the top ten.
I cried when John Lennon was killed as I was driving on my way home and I heard the news on the radio. But George was always my favorite with his spirituality and quietness.
When George died, there where a lot of nice things said about him, like those last words he said about people loving each other. They also talked about his great human qualities and his ever-present desire and will to help people in need. He undoubtely was an extraordinary human being. I shared that with my wife.
As several of the people who have written reviews, I found out that this concert existed a little too late. I had heard about it, but I did'nt know the DVD had come out. I ordered it on January 10th, 2004. This time I was not able to share it with my wife. She passed away a few weeks later, on February of that year, after fighting bravely for more than two years against an unbeatable enemy. George did that to. He passed on peacefully, and so did she. We were married for twenty five wonderful years.
I don't recall how long after that I watched the Concert For George. A few days or maybe weeks later, but it was... inspiring to me. You see... we are all the same after all, and it all comes down to LOVE! That is what this is all about!
I am not going to analize the music, the great musicians and friends of George who organized it, and all of that. It was all just... magnificent! Wonderful! This music and the ones who make it have been and always will be part of our lives.
But many other reviewers already said that very well.
A few days ago I watched this concert again, and I still feel the same way. It is definitely one of the greatest, better, more heart-felt music tributes ever!
I wrote this because I had a story to tell and I felt like sharing it with whoever cares to read it.
Maybe it is my small personal tribute to both George and my beloved darling wife.
Movie Review: A sad farewell that raises your spirits because of the power of George's music.
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD (actually a 2-DVD set) (or the CD) will broaden your understanding of the spiritual power of George Harrison's music because, although he was absent physically from this concert, his spritual power and the force of his wisdom/kindness/musical genius is strongly present in the proceedings. There is not a weak or false performance in the concert, as you might expect. But there are special insights provided where you might least expect it, from Gary Brooker (of Procol Harum) illuminating the melody of "Old Brown Shoe", from less well known English artist Joe Brown, who deserves to be very well known, and provides really the heart of what George was all about in three songs, "That's the Way It Goes", "Here Comes the Sun" and "I'll See You In My Dreams", from Tom Petty who provides a stunning rendition of "I Need You", and Ringo with a strong version of "Photograph" gives you a lift, as long as you don't listen carefully to what he is really saying about the song).
Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton give strong performances but were having a hard time hiding their grief. Come to think of it, Ringo was hiding it too well either.
It's a great pleasure to hear the pure melodious voice of Jeff Lynne, who contributed his unique musical gifts to this project to the fullest, with great heart and soul.
Ravi Shankar provides his spiritual strength as well as an illuminating Indian composition offered as his perception of George. Anoushka Shankar plays a strong spirited penetrating sitar piece.
Sam Brown (with Jools Holland on piano) delivers a really raucous performance of "Horse to Water" (co-written by George and Dhani Harrison) that drives away some of the sadness demons that threatened to linger.
Another special aspect of the DVD set is that it gives you a chance to see and hear George's son Dhani who appears to be a gentle loving soul of great intelligence. But as much as I've said here, there is far more to appreciate, including interviews, the theatrical version of the film, and an entire DVD devoted to the whole concert as played.
It's very sad to think about what Ringo was saying in the concert when he said that "Photograph" has a different meaning now, and it's clear that all these people really loved George deeply and really miss him and it's not hero worship it's real affection, but at least you know from these DVDs that he's living on and doing fine in the spiritual world he elucidated in his music.