Concert for George
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Movie Reviews of Concert for George
Movie Review: The Inner Light
Summary: 5 Stars
Thank you, Eric Clapton, for organizing the wonderful Sept. 2002 Concert for George at the Royal Albert Hall, and for making sure it was filmed and recorded so beautifully. Director David Leland has delivered what may be the greatest concert film of all time.Anoushka Shankar doesn't possess the genious of her father, but her rendition of "Your Eyes" is wonderful, an inspired start to the program, and the fully orchestrated "Arpan" she conducts is gorgeous in a way only music from the subcontinent can be. The concluding acoustic guitar solo by Clapton is incredible. Harrison made sure western ears heard Shankar's music, though too many westerners, who love harmony above all else in music, don't appreciate the pure melody and complex time changes of Indian music. I fell in love with Indian classical through Harrison's music, and I owe him a debt of gratitude for it.
The western band, led by Clapton & Jeff Lynne, delivers picture perfect renditions of a batch of Harrison's best songs from the length and breadth of his career; many of their versions are better than any Harrison, who had a nasty habit of re-working his own material with maddingly spotty results, ever delivered on stage.
I've never understood Ringo as a frontman and don't like that McCartney plays no bass on stage, but the program gets a second wind with the appearances of the former Beatles.
For me the emotional highlights of the program are McCartney's ukelele version of "Something," which turns into a note-for-note replication of the ABBEY ROAD version, with Clapton on lead guitar and Starr's drums sounding like cannons; and Joe Brown's closing "I'll See You In My Dreams." Wonderful, wonderful stuff.
It is the perfect wake that we should all hope for ourselves; a warm, funny, loving, beautiful--but never maudlin--tribute; a celebration of the life of the Quiet Beatle, who changed so many millions of our lives.
Thank you, Eric Clapton.
Movie Review: Celebrating The Quiet Beatle
Summary: 5 Stars
Disc One contains the complete tribute concert, uncut and unedited. Disc Two includes the edited theatrical version, plus some bonus rehearsal footage and interviews. Every phase of George's career is covered. Eric Clapton organized the concert and turned in brilliant performances of the songs IF I NEEDED SOMEONE and BEWARE OF DARKNESS. I especially enjoyed Gary Brooker, lead singer of Procol Harum, doing the Beatles' era song OLD BROWN SHOE. His outstanding performance was not in the theatrical version, although the song is heard over the closing credits. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers perform the Beatles' songs TAXMAN and I NEED YOU. Jeff Lynne joins them to perform the Traveling Wilburys' song HANDLE WITH CARE. It's too bad Bob Dylan wasn't able to be there. Not only is he the other surviving member of the Traveling Wilburys, Bob also participated in George Harrison's 1971 concert for Bangla Desh.Ringo Starr remained upbeat while mentioning how the meaning of the song PHOTOGRAPH, which he wrote with George Harrison, changed. "But all I've got is a photograph, and I realize you're not coming back anymore." Ringo then launches into a spirited version of the Carl Perkins' classic HONEY DON'T. Paul McCartney follows with the Beatles' era FOR YOU BLUE. Paul starts the song SOMETHING on the ukulele, before Eric Clapton and the band join in for an electrifying finish to that song. Paul and Eric also duet on the classic song WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS, followed by Billy Preston sweetly singing MY SWEET LORD. The excitement level really builds in the next to last song, WAH WAH, performed by almost all of the participating musicians. Amazingly, that song wasn't even included in the theatrical version of the concert. Joe Brown, an English singer also managed by Brian Epstein back in the sixties, joins everybody to sing a moving version of the final song, I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS. It's a fitting farewell to George Harrison.
Movie Review: Possibly the Worlds Finest Concert DVD:
Summary: 5 Stars
When most of George Harrison's best friends showed up to play a concert tribute to him on the one year anniversary of his graduation from the planet, little did they know they were about to create heaven on earth.
Yes, my heartfelt appreciation for one of the lovliest men ever to walk the earth does cloud my objectivity of this wonderful night of magic called simply "Concert for George".... but I really couldn't give a damn....
This concert contains most of George's greatest songs except "Awaiting on you All" which I really did miss, but after it's all said and done, anyone who would knock this DVD either has no heart or simply doesn't like George Harrison... which is pretty much the same thing.... sorry.
Even Tom ("...you can't throw me off this GD airplane, I'm Tom...") Petty was really outstanding.. particularly when he teamed up with Jeff (ELO) Lynne (who sung the Roy Orbison part) on "Handle with Care".....
Dhani Harrison is the spitting image of his Dad at that age.... so much so that you'll do double takes... Eric Clapton is outstanding at everything..... The late Billy Preston sings "My Sweet Lord" as if he knows he's about to meet Him.... Paul McCartney is bloody awesome and so sweet in his obvious love for George and his memory.... Ringo's version of "Photograph" made me break down and cry.........and everyone is joined by the hottest back-up band of studio players and singers assembled since the archangel Gabriel put together his first band for the homecoming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
From Ravi Shankar to Sam Brown to Joe Brown, Jules Holland, Gary Brooker from Procol Harem, hell I'm surprised the Lord God Himself didn't show up just to give George a proper send off.
BUY THIS DVD - IT'S AS GOOD AS ANY CONCERT EVER MADE. NO KIDDIN'.. IF I COULD GIVE IT 10 STARS, I WOULD.
Timothy A. Di Pietro
Certified Django Reinhardt Junkie
Movie Review: Magical Musical Maestros
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're reading this review because you can't decide whether to buy this DVD, delay no longer; buy it now!Viewing the Concert For George is a marvelous experience. Being present during the performance would have been the only way to top the DVD, but since I wasn't, I'm grateful this superb set exists. Disc Two is great; I loved all its contents, including the interviews with some of the musicians and the Pythons, the look into Ravi Shankar's mastery with his orchestra, and the theatrical version of the Concert. But experiencing the magical ambiance of the entire concert version, contained on Disc One, is beyond words.
Describing each of the concert's numbers would take too much space here, but highlights certainly include Jeff Lynne and Anoushka Shankar's lovely version of "The Inner Light"; Joe Brown's perfect "Here Comes the Sun"; Eric Clapton's intense solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"; Ringo Star's "Photograph"; and the entire band's work on "Something." Watching Dhani Harrison play along with the big names on stage thrilled me. Sometimes I had to remember that he wasn't George! Seeing the crowd stand, dance, and clap to "My Sweet Lord" and, later, hearing the bittersweet "I'll See You in My Dreams" at the end were marvelous moments as well. Every performance in the Concert for George shines as both a friendly, respectful tribute to George as a person, as well as a superb version of his music. I would think one performance was my favorite until the next came along and charmed me all over again.
No problem exists with either the audio or video production of this DVD. Watching and listening are made pleasurable for the viewer. You'll find yourself crying, laughing, dancing, singing, and just blissfully sitting back, watching in awe and gratitude as the magical musical maestros salute our dear, sweet George.
Movie Review: Beautiful tribute
Summary: 5 Stars
Whether you loved George Harrison or not, you will feel the love that all the participants in this concert have for the man. A very moving tribute concert put together by one of George's closest friends, Eric Clapton, it was a magical night.Everyone from Paul and Ringo to Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne to Monty Python to his own son Dhani (who looks just like him!) were on stage giving their all for George.
The whole concert was great, but there were a few highlights for me personally. Monty Python's "Sit On My Face" and "Lumberjack Song" were a pleasure to see with Tom Hanks filling in for John Cleese. Tom Petty's renditions of "Taxman" and "I Need You" were perfect as well as the little Travelling Wilbury's "reunion" with Jeff Lynne filling in for Roy Orbison. McCartney's ukelele version of "Something" was very touching especially when the full band came in mid-way through the song. By this point, there were 5 drummers and at least 7 guitarists playing at once! Then, Clapton gave a very emotional performance of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - extended guitar solo and all. Very moving. One unexpected highlight was Jools Holland and Sam Brown (man can she sing!) performing the last recorded Harrison song "Horse to Water". Performance-wise, Sam Brown stole the show! But it wasn't about who was better or worse. There was a true humble feeling of nothing but love for the quiet Beatle.
The very best moment for me was Billy Preston singing "Isn't It a Pity" (my personal favorite Harrison song). That's the moment that brought me to tears.
If you loved George, it is inevitable that you will come to tears at some point watching this DVD. If you are new to Harrison's work, you will be truly inspired by the beauty of his music. This is not to miss!