Concert for George

Rating:
Summary: Exceeded all my expectation!
Review: I am a fan of Harrison and Clapton; so, I was afraid that this concert dvd would disappoint me in not meeting my high expectations... No problem. The performances of the artists assembled for this tribute were heart-felt and well rehearsed. It was never "sappy" and always genuine. So many of these tributes have been sloppy and ill prepared, but this was a sterling exception. My only critisism is that I would have enjoyed seeing more interviews; although, the ones on disc 2, theatrical version, were very good. Harrison's band mates were all excellent. Jeff Lynne is a fabulous talent! The Ravi Shankar portion was so much better than I thought it would be. The Monty Python bunch were hilarious. I had not heard/seen Sam and Jools prior to this, and I was blown away by Sam's (Brown) voice. And speaking of voice - Paul McCartney was in very fine form for this show. Clapton was "journeyman" in his musical performances ("While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is among my all time favorites), but it was his performance in the role as "musical director" for this show that made this Concert for George tribute dvd a "must have" for any fan... Deserves a Grammy nomination.

Rating:
Summary: Very moving- Sensitively done
Review: This is was obviously a labor of love by Eric Clapton for his dear friend, George.
Excellent sound- and simply done, with clean, simple camerawork that never distracts from the content. By the way, a previous reviewer said that "Honey Don't" was out of place. Not so- It's a Carl Perkins tune, and hero of George's and very appropriate as a reflection of his musical influences, since Carl couldn't be there, for obvious reasons...

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Film For a Beautiful Man
Review: In his own way, even from beyond the material world, George Harrison once again resets the standards for excellenec in music and film. As was the case with the CONCERT FOR BANGLA DESH, THE CONCERT FOR GEORGE is a work born of tremendous compassion, and if you were to distill George Harrison to one word and say it into the air, you would rightly intone: Compassion.
So, from the opening "Sarve Shaam" with its intenseley deep ochre and crimson overtones through Olivia's lighting the lamp for her husband and Eric Clapton's and then Ravi Shankar's beautifully affecting remarks, you know this is a work of very deep love. And it is shot gorgeously, as it should from the man who produced TIME BANDITS and LIFE OF BRIAN. The classical Indian pieces that open the movie are deeply spiritual pieces that set the context for a man whose life dealt with his devotion to his family, his faith, his craft, his friends. Clapton is positively eloquent as he searches for a way to maintain his composure and find the right words for a friend who espoused a less is more ethic in his work to great effect. Shankar speaks with such profound love that it fills your heart. His daughter Anoushka attends respectfully to her father and then plays her heart out. It is glorious!
Less things get too sentimental, Eric Idle and chums arrive for a bawdy version of both "Sit On My Face" and Michael Palin's hilarious intro to "The Lumberjack Song."
How else would you segue from Indian ragas to Beatle tunes?
When Dhani Harrison and Jeff Lynne lead the houseband back on, the concert is an incredible celebration of some of Harrison's best compositions. Every guest delivers the goods, but certainly the emotional highpoint is Ringo's "Photograph" and Paul's "Something." Clapton is incredible throughout. Tom Petty essya the Wilbury's period and Billy Preston breathes revival fervour into "My Sweet Lord." Dhani is terrific throughout and lends an eerie presence playing behind Clapton, every bit the countenance of his father beaming through him.
This film is a triumph on so many levels that it is unlikely that rock will ever elevate itself to this level again anytime in the foreseeable future. When it all resolves into Joe Brown's take on "I'll See You In My Dreams," you realize what a profound proverb the Chinese admonition is: "Money means nothing. To be loved and remembered is everything."
Farewell, George, we'll see you in our dreams.

Rating:
Summary: As good as it should be
Review: This is one of the best concert dvd's I've ever seen. The performances, the song selection, the sound, the video direction and the picture quality are everything one could ask for. Sure, there were several more of George's songs that I would have loved to have seen performed, but I'll not be greedy about it. If you've ever enjoyed a George Harrison song then this dvd is for you. The menu alone is practically inspirational. Love it, love it, love it.

Rating:
Summary: Give Me Love, Give Me Peace on Earth!!!
Review: I am so Happy that Eric Clapton was the "music coordinator" because the concert runs so smoothly and sounds really amazing. After watching it through I realized something which most people would probably disagree but after McCartney comes out, he tries to "steal" the show (as he always tries to do)...but because the band is so "solid" by this point...he doesn't get anywhere, and he almost takes a "backseat" as a one of the performers, instead of being "the Main Performer".
Overall I really enjoyed this DVD...it would have been nice for Joe Brown (ukelele player) to cover some of George's Brainwashed Uke stuff...or even have Dhani sing a song.

Good Stuff!!!

Rating:
Summary: A TRULY MOVING TRIBUTE
Review: As a huge fan of The Beatles, as well as well as his solo endeavors, I have been following George Harrison's career for some time. He was truly a gentle and inspired soul who opened my mind to higher spiritual pursuits.

This production is a success on many levels. It is an excellent concert featuring several of rock's legends. It is brilliantly produced, and is somewhat reminiscent of The Concert for Bangladesh. The spiritual/musical current of the sixties and seventies is brilliantly preserved with 21st century technology and precision.

This gathering of friends is NOT one of mourning, but rather, it is a celebration of the life, music, and spirit of George Harrison.

George Harrison lives on through his friends, his family, his fans, his music, and most importantly, his spirit!

GEORGE, MAY YOU FIND PEACE AT THE LOTUS FEET OF LORD KRISHNA.

HARE KRISHNA!

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Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!
Review: AWESOME! There is perhaps no better way to describe this experience. I saw the theatrical release in the theatre and was just blown away by the compassion, by the scencerity and by the shear genius of the group of musicians that came together to celebrate George's life through his music. Now having watched the dvd, I am even more blown away. It is truly an awesome experience. You must get this and you won't regret it.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: Absolutely the best concert film you'll ever see. Watching the musicians give their best makes you understand the love they had for George. Somewhere in the interviews someone says they rehearsed three weeks for this concert...I don't know of any other man, politician, president, or athlete that their friends would put aside three weeks to pay tribute. Absolutely a stunning performance on DVD... I too dreaded the Indian music segment (having seen George on tour in the 1970's) ... that is before I saw it ... absolutely some of the most touching powerful music I have ever heard and I have been a player and listener for a long time. Thanks Ravi - we should all be lucky enough to have a friend compose such a beautiful musical work for us. Someone needs to get an award for this DVD!!!! Now everyone go buy a ukelele and keep George in your heart.... a great artist and man. Watching the interaction between Dhani and the other musicians, should father George be watching down... he can feel confident that his son will be guided through life by his loving friends.

Rating:
Summary: Celebrating George
Review: I've rated this a star more than the CD only because the true impact of the concert is felt with the visual aspect. This terrific tribute concert managed to rope long time friends of Harrison into performing many of his classics. The most moving moments were seeing McCartney, Starr and Clapton (along with a band handpicked by Eric)perform Something with McCartney and Clapton sharing lead vocals. I did miss McCartney's "busy" bass playing on the track but, well, you can't have everything.

The DVD includes the overlooked original theatrical version, an extended version (on the first disc)plus a video documentary about the concert with comments from key people in George's life. The sound is beautifully mixed (production was handled by Harrison's frequent collborator in later life and former ELO frontman Jeff Lynne)and the show nicely put together. It's a class job the whole way. While no one makes mention of it, the first superstar rock concert for charity was put together 32 years ago this year with Harrison's Concert For Bangela Desh.

The only folks MIA are Bob Dylan and Leon Russell. It was a real highlight to see Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (with Jeff Lynne) perform the song they recorded with The Traveling Wilburys "Handle With Care". It was handled with care, compassion and class. Great job organizing this one Eric. Thanks George.

Rating:
Summary: You will feel George with you!
Review: The Concert for George is a superb musical experience. If you are a Beatle fan, or a fan of the solo musician and philosopher that was/is George Harrison, this DVD is an emotional and proud experience. Most of you have heard his songs...but the renditions are done with such love, and quiet reverence, it's like hearing them for the first time. You experience them. All of the biggest names "Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney" in particular, do not grandstand or make this concert about them. I was awestruck by amazing performances by faces I didn't recognize at first and I found myself scrambling to read the booklet inside the keepsake case to see who was performing. There is superb slide guitar work. Unlike other tribute concerts, most of the renditions here were true to the original recording and no one dared to tamper too much with all George's licks and familiar middle eights. One must mention the Indian music. I know a lot of people who owned copies of "Concert for Bangladesh" and quickly skipped over 'the Indian part". You will not want to do that with this DVD! It was the most powerful music I have ever heard. So much so, that it dragged my husband out from watching a Star Trek re-run to give Ms. Shankar the audience she deserved. I agree with many that this version of George's "Inner Light" was just plain gorgeous. All under a lovely serene photograph of George. I have also now discovered Joe Brown...who performed three of the best songs in the show. The third of which closed the concert and had me weeping from so many mixed emotions. George would have loved it. George was there. I can't recommend it highly enough.