Rating: Summary: The Ultimate Tribute Concert Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: FANTASTIC!! Review: This is by far the best concert DVD I have ever watched! Not only from the quality of the musicians on stage, the filming and sound, but the emotion that they put into George's songs. To see Gary Brooker (who I loved in Procol Harum) sing "Old Brown Shoe" and Clapton and McCartney duet on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with Ringo on drums ont he same stage is unreal. This is definitly a "must-have" DVD as this was a once in a lifteime event. Take time to listen to the entire Indian music segment....it is beautiful and spiritual.
Rating: Summary: L'Angelo Mysterioso Review: This concert is seriouly great for the soul.
Rating: Summary: A Joyous Explosion of Beautiful Music and Memories ! Review: This concert blew me away! All the best musicians in one beautiful place, playing the music of their beautiful friend and someone who has given so much to all of us through his music. This tribute to George Harrison is more moving than I could have ever expected... You will cry, smile, laugh, sing and dance along with all who were there to celebrate the life and music of George. The Concert for George is much more than a dvd...it is a true heartfelt experience in JOY and LOVE.
Rating: Summary: Simply Amazing Review: I have been a hardcore Beatles fan for pretty much 16 of my 23 years. But when this DVD and accompanying CD arrived, I didn't have much interest in it. I really don't know why. That all changed when my sister got the album for Christmas. I listened to it and I loved it. Especially the second disc. The performances were so heartfelt. The songs were done by his friends and people he knew and loved, unlike how a lot of tribute shows are done using new pop music faces who probably never heard the material before. I picked up the DVD and it is even better. Seeing Dhani is like George is with us all over again and no matter how many times I watch it, I can't possibly keep from crying during Joe Brown's "I'll See You In My Dreams." I highly recommend this to any fans of George Harrison and the Beatles. But beware, it's a tearjerker. This concert is full of such love and celebration that I have to rate it as probably my favorite concert film. We miss you George. Andrew
Rating: Summary: Beautiful Music Review: I bought the DVD and am happy I did. JEFF LYNNE, DHANI HARRISON and ANOUSHKA SHANKAR performed THE INNER LIGHT. DHANI HARRISON provides vocals with JEFF LYNNE. JEFF LYNN and ERIC CLAPTON perform I WANT TO TELL YOU, IF I NEEDED SOMEONE and BEWARE OF DARKNESS. The band it top notch with drummers JIM KELTNER and JIM CAPALDI. George's son, DHANI, is on stage playing guitar and providing supporting vocals. JOE BROWN performs an outstanding version of HERE COMES THE SUN. TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS set is the weak portion of the show. TOM PETTY performs TAXMAN and I NEED YOU with THE HEARTBREAKERS before bringing JEFF LYNNE and DHANI HARRISON back on stage for HANDLE WITH CARE. PETTY'S vocals sound weak. HANDLE WITH CARE is saved by the vocals of JEFF LYNNE. RINGO performs PHOTOGRAPH and HONEY DON'T before introducing PAUL MCARTNEY. PAUL plays FOR YOU BLUE and the talks about GEORGE. PAUL plays SOMETHING on ukelele before the entire band comes begans. SOMETHING is excellent as are WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS(CLAPTON,MCCARTNEY and STARR), ALL THINGS MUST PASS(MCCARTNEY) and MY SWEET LORD by BILLY PRESTON. The bonus features are great with interviews with band members and rehearsal footage of George's band and Ravi's band.
Rating: Summary: Incredible Performance, Sound &Video Review: I have been playing this DVD non-stop since I purchased it the day it was released. It's a beautiful, thrilling and moving show. I agree with Diane about the McCartney bashing. He was visibly moved and gave a wonderful but subdued performance. His rendition of All Things Must Pass is an emotional highlight for me.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful tribute Review: I just got the DVD for Christmas and loved it. I thought the music selected was great. It included Beatles, Traveling Wilbury's and his solo work. Highlights were "While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Clapton/McCartney/Starr), "Something" (McCartney), "My Sweet Lord" (Preston), Taxman(Petty),"Handle With Care (Lynne) and many more. It was great seeing George's son onstage playing with the band. This DVD is a wonderful tribute to George Harrison. P.S. To some of the reviewers of this DVD, the Paul McCartney bashing is getting old !!!
Rating: Summary: Celebrating The Quiet Beatle Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: Excellent tribute and re-introduction of George's songs Review: As opposed to other tribute concerts or concert films that have been around over the years, Concert for George is unique because it combines not only the aura of the Beatles (you can save the who's-the-favorite argument for another day) as well as the powerful spirituality and mysticism that were so central to George's life. It truly is a celebration. Even as someone who is a complete Beatles fan, the performances served to re-kindle a lot of the songs in my consciousness and it makes you realize just how great a songwriter George was in his own right. So he happened to be in a band with two other geniuses. The true lamentations are that it took his passing and a tribute concert to generate new appreciation and that his own solo output was so sporadic. The film is very respectful of George's memory, and even if some of the versions of the songs are note for note copies, they are still great material. Personally, I was most moved by Billy Preston's rendition of "Isn't It A Pity", McCartney's lead vocal on "All Things Must Pass", and, like many other reviewers, I am now in love with Sam Brown. All the people who want to snipe at McCartney for whatever reason, go ahead. It doesn't change anything. It's clear, at least to me, that George's death moved him and the fact that he subjugates his own ego (as much as is possible) to pay tribute to his friend with an excellent performance should be enough. I didn't see Bob Dylan anywhere in the film. Be prepared to be moved, not just by the music but by your memories and the pure feeling of love that pours forth.
|