Rating: Summary: Absolutely Amazing Review: I get chills even thinking about the concert. Billy Preston along with Tom Petty and Eric Clapton were amazing... their depictions of Harrison's songs were so moving. This DVD would be an exceptional gift for any member of the family.
Rating: Summary: AWESOME-INCREDIBLE & MAGNIFICENT Review: This concert should not be missed! Hearing & seeing Sam Brown do "Horse to Water" made everything else fall into place. Yes, Ringo was there with his drum kit, but Jim Keltner was there playing his as only he can. This also introduced me to Jools Holland and reminded me of what music should be. Bravo to the producers of this concert and to George's family: "Thanks For The Memories".
Rating: Summary: One of the best mistakes I ever made!! Review: I accidently bought this dvd thinking it was a soundtrack. It turned out to be one of the best produced and directed concerts I have ever seen on video. A gathering of talent with heartfelt playing, no ego stuff here. Dhani Harrison is a spitting image of his Dad, eerily so! While My Guitar Gently Weeps and My Sweet Lord at the end, were especially moving. Clapton was awesome, as was Billy Preston doing those two titles. I have watched this video many times and it still sounds sweet. Until all of his music was put together like this, played by all his friends, I did not realize how truly gifted George Harrison was with both his lyrics and music. A great item to own. Oh Yeah, on top of everything, this concert includes the infamous I'M A LUMBERJACK by Monty Python, It just doesn't get any better than this.
Rating: Summary: A great and poignant goodye Review: I didn't know what to expect when I was given this DVD. George's voice was not the most listenable of the four and, truthfully, the quality of his vocals sometimes detracted from the song itself. That said, these songs, played by "George's Band" as put together by Eric Clapton, take on a whole new life, and the lyrical and melodious content of his writing - particularly his post Beatles' material - comes alive in a way I didn't appreciate before this concert. The sound and the musicianship is phenomenal for a band that rehearsed about 3 weeks. Ravi Shankar's composition and the playing of his daughter were also impressive, if not mystifying. Add a couple of irreverent skits by Monty Python, and it is a joyous occasion. You watch as these musicians smile at each other and sing along with the songs while nowhere near a mike, and you understand the impact Harrison's music had on these individuals. I have a greater appreciation for the music of the man - western and eastern - as well as his sense of humor. When one can say the weakest spot in the entire show were two songs by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, one might understand just how good this concert was. Thankyou, Eric, for approaching Olivia and Dhani with this idea that came to fruition a year to the day after George's death. And thanks to all who partcipated - including Tom Hanks - for giving us a proper farewell to what I feel was the spiritual and mystical soul of the Beatles. 'See you in my dreams.'
Rating: Summary: What An Unabashed Thrill! Review: Sure it's cliched to say, "His vibe was present" or "He was with us", with reference to tribute concerts. But with the Concert For George his presence, his voice, his magic, his spirit is almost palpable. Look back at the concert footage for Bangla Desh, George was probably within two or three years of son Dhani, who virtually glows onstage in the presence of Dad's bandmates and buddies. Any moment you can realize the gathering of Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Billy Preston, Tom Petty, Joe Brown, Gary Brooker, Jim Capaldi and as Dhani says Uncle Ringo and Paul, you've got pure magic.What an event and what more can be added, except to say this: Listening to the performance of All Things Must Pass, is the most wonerful and heartfelt expression I have ever seen among fellow musians. Then again, George was no ordinary musician, nor was he anything less than an extraordinary man.
Rating: Summary: Beautiful Tribute Review: It's clear when watching this tribute concert for George Harrison that he was well-loved by his friends because their love for him shines through in this tasteful, beautifully played concert. The artistry of Clapton, McCartney, Jeff Lynne and a large supporting cast is outstanding and in top form. It's difficult to see McCartney perform the gorgeous Harrison classic, "Something," without getting a lump in your throat or a tear in your eye. Other highlights include Clapton ripping through "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," just as he did on the original recording with the Beatles, "My Sweet Lord," performed by Billy Preston, and Paul McCartney singing "All Things Must Pass." The final song, the oldie, "I'll See You in My Dreams," is as beautiful to watch as it is to hear. The sound quality is excellent and there was not a wrong note played or a false note sung. Truly an excellent concert and a beautiful tribute to their friend.
Rating: Summary: George is in the House Review: From the moment Olivia Harrison walked on stage to light the incense of commencement, to the final rain of yellow and orange petals over the Royal Albert Hall for the finale, you felt that George was everywhere. He was in the Hall, he was in your heart, and he was in your mind. The film this DVD holds is an inspiration, not only to Harrison/Beatles fans, but to anyone who admires the spirituality that music provides, and to the purity of friendship. The beautiful sitar artistry of Anoushka Shankar on "Your Eyes" is simply transcendent. Ravi Shankar is indeed on hand, and is very much the patriarch of this stage with a composition written for George entitled "Arpan", beautifully conducted by his daughter, who takes a different turn as the leader of his orchestra. She is truly a revelation. East meets West in a flurry of strings and tablas, and set one's spirit ready for the ride though Harrison's life. What better way to kick off an evening of George than with a raga? (I know this was all mentioned, but this music is amazing!) Clapton holds everything together with grace and simplicity, keeping the night void of sappy, cloying sentimentality. Jeff Lynne moves through The Inner Light as if he's in awe of each chord, yet pulls through beautifully. Ringo, the Beatle each Beatle loves/loved dearly, sings Photograph, a song he composed with Harrison, taking on new meaning now that George "isn't here anymore". Python was spot on with levity - something so important to Harrison in life. Paul McCartney left the ego at the door. For once it wasn't all about him, but about his old friend. You could tell he was quite choked up. Having Dhani on stage throughout was perfection. He stood for his dad, strumming along with the legends who were part of the household while growing up. Perverbial uncles, all glancing at this young man they watched from a baby to manhood. Dhani's reverence and love for his Dad is hard not to notice. Personally, I would have loved to have seen Bob Dylan join on stage, since his friendship with George goes back, and they were very much eye to eye with how they perceived the world, yet expressed themselves differently. It was probably impossible since he's always on tour. Yet, that bares nothing against this wonderful night caught on film. The sound and clarity of the video is top notch, high tech, hi-def, so quality-wise, this is a good as it gets without actually being on stage. Wonderful interviews, some backstage stuff. It was a great idea having the complete concert on one DVD, and the theatrical on the other. Definitely keep the hankies close by. You might find some tears welling up, not out of sadness, but out of the realization of how a single life can touch so many. One never realizes it until that spirit slips out of this world. There's no doubt about it - you will be moved.
Rating: Summary: the best celebrity concert dvd ever? Review: - It's a rare celebrity / charity concert that can offer any surprise at this point in rock history. Honestly, they're really never too bad. You nearly always get competent (if not tasteful) renditions of the usual hits, and when McCartney is involved, there's always the singalong "Let it Be" or "Hey Jude" to conclude the night. What a great pleasure, and a very great surprise the present dvd is! The performances are so fine (halleluiah), the song selection so coherent, and general mood so sincere and warm, that the Concert for George must surely rank among the very best celebrity concerts ever. That this all happens despite such a huge band (was that four drummers?!) is a tribute to somebody's taste and restraint, probably Clapton's, though maybe Lynne's. Albert Hall is also a more photogenic locale than your usual rock venue and the filming/editing gives no great cause for complaint. Would it be heretical to suggest that Clapton's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and McCartney's "All Things Must Pass" surpass the originals? One way or another, it's a tribute to George, the strength of his songwriting, and the love he inspired in those closest to him. A very fine concert and a good dvd. Very highly recommended. -
Rating: Summary: I Want To Tell You... Review: A moving, spiritual event honoring the memory of George Harrison, featuring friends and musicians who worked with George throughout his career. Also, the first onstage appearance of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr together since the breakup of the Beatles. "*****" By the way, Sam Brown is the woman singing lead on "Horse to Water"
Rating: Summary: A Religious Experience Review: Harrison and Clapton are my heroes and their music has inspired me throughout life. This has got to be one of the finest concerts ever released on DVD. The recording is exceptional and the performances very sincere. Starting from the astonishing Arpan to Wah Wah, this is a musical journey that almost feels like a pilgramage trip. It was good to see Paul McCartney take a back seat for once. Money well spent....
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