Concert for George
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Movie Reviews of Concert for George
Movie Review: The Ultimate Tribute Concert
Summary: 5 Stars
In the opinion of most music fans, tribute concerts are generally looked down upon- there's usually too much happening at once. In many cases, the artists are quite egotistical and everything ends up sounding too mushed up. This is CERTAINLY not the case for "Concert For George"- nothing could be further from the truth. It's amazing- you can tell that all the artists are there to pay homage to Mr. Harrison, not to showcase their own talents. The Indian segment (starring Ravi and Anoushka Shankar and their band) is extremely touching- it's amazing to hear the sorts of harmonies that result. However, the best two from that set are "The Inner Light" and "Arpan," in which Eric Clapton joins the band with his acoustic guitar.
After the Monty Python skit, Jeff Lynne emerges joined by Dhani Harrison, Eric, Tessa Niles, Katie Kisson, Andy F. Low, et al. That would be the core band throughout the evening, with the exception of Joe Brown's band and, of course, those rockin' Heartbreakers. The highlights of the show, in my opinion, are "I Want to Tell You," "If I Needed Someone," "Give Me Love," "Here Comes the Sun," "That's the Way It Goes," "I Need You," "Handle with Care," "Something," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Isn't it a Pity." In all of these songs, you can almost feel George's presence in the Royal Albert Hall.
I think that a special thank you should go out to Eric Clapton. Being a huge fan of Clapton's music for the past ten years, I've always known that Eric is, was, and always will be the greatest guitarist to ever set foot on this Earth. However, as witnessed from this DVD, Eric does a PHENOMINAL job as organizer and M.C.- anyone who could organize a concert like this deserves incredible applause and recognition. Yet, thoughout the concert, Eric never really takes the spotlight all for himself (unlike Mr. McCartney, from what I gathered). Even when it came time for soloing, Eric put his heart into his playing but didn't play excessively at all. Thank you, Eric Clapton, for putting this all together. R.I.P George.
Movie Review: Amazing, beautiful and deeply moving...
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: George!
Summary: 5 Stars
The concert event had the chance to be sappy and morose. Thank God, it isn't. Instead, it's a lot of George's friends covering his songs, having fun doing it, and otherwise doing what they've always been doing.Summary: Great guests, superior musicianship. Buy This DVD. Now.
The show opens with a few words from Clapton, who introduces Ravi Shankar and his daughter. They play a fair amount of Indian music. It's pretty good, I have to admit, though not my cup of tea. One word - Ravi Shankar's daughter is quite the sitar player... She plays a piece and violates at least 2 rules of physics. Amazing.
Then the Western band forms up. They play a number of songs, with luminaries being introduces and added to the band over the course of the evening.
Highlights, in no particular order:
1) Ringo :-) During "Honey Don't" Look for Albert Lee. His solo is blistering though short.
2a) Clapton on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
2b) Clapton having the class to not play all the solos thereby making it the "Eric Clapton Show." Instead most of the real guitar work is being done by someone I don't know. I think it's Clapton's long-time guitarist. My son and I call him "THE Guy".
2c) Clapton in general
3) Watch Tom Petty's guitar player get OWNED by George on "Taxman". Tom does this song kinda weird, it's probably the weakest track.
4) Sam Brown. What a voice!
5) Waa Waa. Amazing.
6) Something by Paul, via uke.
7) Ravi's daughter and her sitar. Your eyebrows will fly up!
8) Dhani has George's spooky eyebrow thing going on.
9) Jeff Lynne is there, and takes an active part doing what he does best. Bob Dylan is notably absent.
Every track is worthwhile and many are superb. And while a lot of similar productions are muddy and horrid, this isn't. Eric is running the show, and keeps it moving and clean.
The only dings I give this production are
1) The "behind the scenes" footage is too sparse. I know there had to me more...
2) The band isn't introduced well enough. I expected a close up of every performer, with a hello, and a name. See 2b) above.
Movie Review: You can really feel the Love for George
Summary: 5 Stars
33 years ago in 1971, George gave the proceeds from Concert for Bangladesh to help millions in India to meet basic survival needs. He created the novel idea of benefit concerts that many others have continued until today. So it is more than appropriate for all his friends and extended family to honor him in this way. The music may look like another "greatest hits" compilation or nostalgic tribute, but it is really much more than that. Great care and attention to every detail/ note and lyric is given but there is also real Heart and Soul in this DVD. Everyone on stage appears to be very happy to be part of this celebration. At times there may have been 30 or more musicians and singers on stage! I've just finished watching this DVD today and I feel uplifted and exhilarated. It truly does deserve the 100's of 5 star ratings that have been presented by reviewers. The sound is superb, the filming was perfect, maybe I will give this a 108 star rating! If you're a fan of George's solo work or even a longtime Beatles fan you Can't miss with this DVD. Michael Palin said, "It was absolutely everyone at their peak. I think the energy there was hitting way above the levels." When you see this Dvd you'll know what he meant. Jeff Lynne and Eric Clapton were both exceptional playing and singing George's songs as well as Joe and Sam Brown. One idea I have for a Travelling Wilburys type super group would be the linking together of Jeff, Paul, Eric, and Ringo with possibly Billy Preston on keyboards, Wow!!! I'll end with a quote from an old Richard Rodgers song as my tribute to George. When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high, And don't be afraid of the dark. At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky, and the sweet silver song of a lark. Walk on through the wind and rain, though your dreams be tossed and blown. Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart, and you'll never walk alone... and you'll never walk alone..... Thanks for reading, blessings to you.... Jai Jayaraj!..... Jayaraj is Ravi Shankar's name for George and is included in Arpan, (offering) the work he wrote just for George for this occasion.Movie Review: May I give it ten stars?
Summary: 5 Stars
This may be my favorite music DVD of all time. The unfortunate circumstance being a requiem for a great man. Maybe one of the most altruistic "celebrities" to have ever graced us with his presence (though I'm sure he would be embarassed by such accolades).
That said, this double disc set is a marvel at every turn. Even from the first disc, in an Indian Orchestra performance conducted by Ravi Shankar's daughter Anoushka you know this is "the stuff".
I have little, if any, knowledge of Indian music. At first it is a little difficult to comprehend, after a short few moments, I was able to, "turn off my mind, relaxed, and floated downstream" (sorry, about that), and I really began to enjoy the almost mantra-like sounds of the music.
On to the second disc. This I knew was the meat and potatoes of the collection, the reason I'd bought the thing on the first place.
From the opening notes of "I Want to Tell You", this band was in command of the songs. And what a performance! I could easily break them all down and cover every nuance of every tune. But I won't.
Highlights:
Gary Brooker - Old Brown Shoe.
An amazing "reading" of a somewhat forgotten gem, His voice fits the song perfectly.
Joe Brown - "That's The Way it Goes" from "Gone Troppo".
Had never heard it before this, and this mid-tempo rocker (with a not too subtle storyline) forced me to go out and buy the original.
Ringo Starr - "Photograph"
One of the most poignant of all the performances. George had written this for Ringo's first solo record. The words originally about a lost love, now about a lost friend. And Ringo sounds emotionally lost while singing it.
Billy Preston - "My Sweet Lord". GOOD----NESS!!!!
This is THE reason for buying this disc. PERIOD. He wrings EVERY ounce of emotion from this tune, without beating you over the head with it. This version will bring you to tears. An absolute classic.
So, there you have it.
It's great.
It's a must have.
Why are you still sitting there?