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Summary: In case you're interested...
Review: I have watched this DVD about 20 times and it keeps getting better. Being an old rock and roll fan, I started wondering who some of the not-so-obvious musicians were. After doing a bit of "research," I was blown away by the talent that was on the stage that night in Albert Hall. I wanted to share this with fellow music lovers so I posted a list of web sites that will give you some background on the amazing talent that was on that stage that night. I also created a collection of lyrics from the concert. Hope this makes it onto the Amazon site so everyone can enjoy. I am doing this for one reason - to honor the life and music of George Harrison. Here's the URL: http://www.30-a.com/george.pdf
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Summary: Great DVD
Review: There are several preformances that make this dvd 5 stars. Paul singing "All Things Must Pass" and Billy Preston singing "Isn't It a Pitty". These were some of the greatest preformances in the whole dvd. Everyone seemed in great spirits. And The Monty Python act is funny. (Lumberjack) So overall, definetly get this dvd to complete and top your Beatles/Geroge Harrison collection!
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Summary: Concert for George
Review: The Concert for George DVD was a great preformance with great artists. It's not everyday you can see Paul, Ringo, Eric Clapton, Billy Breston, Ravi Shankar, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne preforming toghter. George would be impressed, and so was I. The sound and visual quality was outstanding and I could'nt miss a thing. For Beatle fans this is a must.
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Summary: Absolutely, Positively Spectacular!!
Review: Received this incredible DVD as a Christmas present, and upon viewing it was simply blown away! I'm not usually a fan of concerts, particularly tribute concerts, put to DVD. They almost always fail to re-create the vibe or feeling of the live performance. This concert is the exception that proves the rule. Great songs played by legendary musicians in tribute to their friend. And, perhaps that's the main thing that separates this from other tribute concerts. Each and every performer loved George, and that love is apparent throughout. Each and every performance is magical, and watching becomes almost a spiritual experience. If you're reading these reviews because you're thinking of buying, then think no more. This is a sensational DVD - 5 stars is not enough. Buy and enjoy!
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Summary: a spiritual experience
Review: So lovely and moving. After watching Billy Preston ecstatically sing "My Sweet Lord" I turned to my husband and said "THAT could make a person believe in God."George gave us so much. Thank you, dear friend.
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Summary: The Concert For George
Review: I must admit that I was not looking forward to the release of this DVD. The sadness I felt (and still honestly feel) about the death of George Harrison made me hesitate to watch this tribute to his life and music. It was not that I thought the performers or intent would be insincere. It was that the whole concert would be a painful reminder of Harrison's passing. I found after Ravi Shankar's 'Arpan', that the rest of the concert was a breeze to get through, until Joe Brown's rendition of 'I'll See You In My Dreams'. For those that are not familiar with classical Indian music, and that which was such a passion in George's life, Shankar's 'Arpan' may impress with its arrangement and technical precision and playing. But for those who do understand classical Indian's meanings and intents, 'Arpan' is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard anyone compose for anyone. Classical Indian music is a conversation. A dialogue about life, death, God, and all within. 'Arpan' encapsulates everything Ravi Shankar felt about George Harrison. There are moments of celebration and joy, great grief and sadness, and throughout there is the mutual respect they had for eachother spoken in the music. The instruments tell about the life of George Harrison and what he meant to Ravi Shankar. For me, this is the part of the concert I have a very hard time watching. It moves me to tears. And I have to honestly say, the rest of the concert was easy and light compared to the first section of the show. Anoushka Shankar's rendition of 'Your Eyes' was also a major highlight. But appreciation of Indian music is fundamental in understanding the love that is expressed for George in these two songs. For me, the star performers were Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, Monty Python and the host of the show, Eric Clapton. The professional and social relationships they had with George really shine through in their performances of his songs (mainly from his Beatles career and 'All Things Must Pass'), and my opinion of Eric Clapton shot up about 80% after watching this concert. He handled everything gracefully and with dignity, considering Harrison and Clapton's history, the obvious love he has for George makes him literally the star of the Western portion of this concert. He never overplays, he sings George's songs with great passion and consideration for their words. I could not find one single thing that marred Clapton's performance in this show. Not one thing. His shared vocal with Billy Preston on 'Isn't It A Pity' is one of the best moments of the show. Ringo has always been with George. The two were practically inseparable in their solo careers. 'Photograph' takes on much more meaning in this rendition of it, and I'm sure Ringo found (and maybe still finds) this song a little hard to sing now. All of the people on stage really knew George, and I find the exception is Paul McCartney. He may have knew him in The Beatles, but George the solo artist and man I don't think Paul knew at all. It is why I do find a slightly humourous irony that Paul plays piano on 'Wah Wah', and may not be familiar at all with who the song was about. And this may displease some, but I honestly did not like Paul's ukelele version of 'Something'. It made the song sound like a 'ditty'. It's not a ditty. It's one of the most beautiful contemporary songs ever written about being in love, and that its subject matter is as much about God as it may have been about Pattie Harrison does not lessen its power and impact. When Clapton (and band) play this song in its original format, I forget all about the ukelele version that opened it. Paul's rendition of 'All Things Must Pass' is much better. There's a slight sadness in the fact that he was unfamiliar with the song (even though he felt strongly enough 30 years ago to help reject it from the Beatles song catalogue). A worthy purchase, and if this does one thing for all those who just wanted to see Ringo & Paul perform together again, is that George Harrison is one of the most underrated musicians of his time. The concert barely skims the surface of how much great music that was written with heart & soul by Harrison there is. If this show gets people interested to hear what else Harrison had to say, it'd be a long time coming.
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Summary: Simply wonderful!
Review: I first saw the big screen version of the concert (Disc 2) sometime in October 2003. And I said to myself, got to have the DVD. I used to take George's songs for granted when I listen to them from a Beatle or a solo album. But this concert, performed by his friends, highlighted some of his compositions and made them truly special. What could go wrong when you have musicians like Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Sam Brown, Anoushka and Ravi Shankar, Tom Petty, Billy Preston, Dhani Harrison and others all in one stage, giving all they got for the benefit of one beautiful friend (and father) - George Harrison. This DVD/CD is better seen first than heard. One needs to see the emotion as each artist performs a number to realize the beauty of this wonderful and star-studded concert. Thanks George for your music.
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Summary: Add This To Your Must-Own List!
Review: I inadvertently came across this DVD package while browsing Amazon and I decided to order it. What an unexpected gift from above! Truly the spirit of George Harrison permeates this incredible concert. I have to say up front that I am an original Beatles freak who grew up with their music and who knows every note of every song in the minutest of detail (yes, I am also a musician of some 37 years). Therefore, I always enter these "concerts" with tremendous expectation if not trepidation at what havoc an assortment of heavy-handed musicians can wreak upon the subtle genius of the Beatles (and George's) collective works.
Alas, my fears quickly evaporated upon hearing the first song as played by Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne and band. One of my all-time favorites, "I Want To Tell You", was given just the exact amount of delicacy mixed with driving rock spirit (I know that sounds like an odd juxtaposition, but that's how George's genius works), that I was in pure musical ecstacy which did not abate until the DVD ended. Every single performer from Clapton to Billy Preston to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to Paul McCartney (yep, he's there, too), played and sang every note with love, enthusiasm, and emotion as if they were trying to pass a heavenly audition being overseen by Harrison himself. Paul's version of "Something", which starts out as a solo on ukelele then morphs into the full band/orchestra version we've come to know and love, could raise goose bumps on a cadaver. Yet, none of it ever seems phony, contrived or overwrought. There is also a portion of the concert that features an incredible composition by Ravi Shankar and an even more incredible performance by his daughter, Anoushka on sitar.
I could obviously go on and on about this spectacular DVD, about how great the audio and video quality of the package is, about how moving each performance is (tears came to my eyes more than once, especially when you see George's son, Dhani, onstage playing guitar and looking like an exact clone of his Dad) but I'll leave it at this: if you're a Beatles/George Harrison fan, do not hesitate. Heck, if you just like great music and wonderful artistry, don't hesitate. Buy this DVD and don't forget the kleenex. Like the other reviews have said: you'll watch it again and again.
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Summary: The best DVD I never knew I needed
Review: When I stumbled on this DVD it seemed to good to be true. It isn't. As it turns out, its better. Impeccable performances, beautifully edited. Clapton, Lynne, and Preston rule the roost during the entire concert. Sir Paul comes in at the end, but is just plain overshadowed. No wonder he was a bit snarky. He wasn't allowed to finish his ukelele version of "Something" (Eric takes over and just soars!). And then Eric and Jeff follow and just *kill* with an extended version of "Wah Wah". This, by the by, was George's best "Paul can be a royal pain" tune. Sir Paul meanwhile is relegated to noodling along on the piano on the far side of the stage.
This was indeed a concert for George. Peace, my friend, wherever you are.
Rating:
Summary: Absoluletly AWESOME
Review: In one word, "SUPERB." Ultimate DVD! Highly recommended for all fans of the Beatles and the late, great George Harrison!
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