Rating: Summary: George gives us God Review: I saw this in the theater four times and the DVD is even better! Seeing the concert from beginning to end is full of wonderful moments of bliss. Some are from surpising places; Anoushka Shanker, Joe Brown, Sam Brown. Clapton's playing is the best it has been since "Layla." He is brilliant on the Shankar piece and seemingly God-like on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." And the pure joy of seeing Dhani Harrison playing with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton and Klaus Voorman is close to Beatle heaven! As Olivia sais, "With Dhani up there it looks like George stayed young while everyone else got old."Every Beatle George fan should own this and watch it on November 29th. While the sound occasionally drops out a bit, it is close to perfection. I just have three questions; 1) Was that Bill Wyman in the audience? 2) Where was Bob Dylan (or Leon Russell)? and 3) Didn't anyone tell Dhani to sing into the mike? Hari Krisna.
Rating: Summary: A Splendid Musical Memorial. Review: On Nov 29th 2002, the Royal Albert Hall played host to "The Concert For George", in which all the proceeds went to some of George Harrisons favorite charities. Organized by his widow Olivia, son Dhani and Eric Clapton, this all-star celebration of the life and music of George Harrison, proves to be both somber and happy, as friends and musicians play touching covers of some of Georges biggest hits. Just like the "Concert For Banglsdesh", the show starts of with an indian music session, which features a full orchestra of eastern and western musicians, playing songs composed by his friend and mentor, Ravi Shankar. The real treat is watching his daughter Anoushka, play the sitar. She was the centerpiece of the entire performance. She was simply phenominal, proving that she is indeed, like her father, a master of the sitar. The rock n roll side of the show opened up with Jeff Lynne singing "I Want To Tell You", which set the tone for the rest of the show, in which the all-star cast played one Harrison tune after another with genuine feeling from the heart. Dhani Harrison played rhythm acoustic and electric guitar during the entire show, and is the splitting image of his father. The guest list reads like a who's who of music. Besides Clapton, You will see Jools Holland,Tom Petty,Billy Preston,Ringo Starr,Paul McCartney,Gary Brooker,Jim Capaldi and great session people like, Jim Keltner,Ray Cooper,Jim Horn,Tom Scott,Albert Lee,Klaus Voormann,Chris Stainton,Henry Spinetti and Andy Fairweather Low. Some of the highlights include, Billy Prestons take on "My Sweet Lord" and "Isn't It A Pity", Tom Petty doing "Handle With Care", Paul McCartney and Clapton on "Something" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Overall, I must say that you can tell, that a lot of effort went into this production, as evident by the wonderful sound and picture quality as well as the handsome packaging that the DVD is housed in. Hearing Joe Brown end the show with an emotional "I'll See You In My Dreams", instead of an obligatory all-star encore jam, is what George Harrison was all about. He was a simple man, who loved melodies, valued his privacy over his celebrity and always lent a helping hand to those less fortunate. I highly recommend this DVD to one and all.
Rating: Summary: The Inner Light Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: A moving tribute Review: I just saw the concert for George DVD and must say it blew me away, the players were all at their best and the selection of songs was just right. It was good to see Paul and Ringo on stage together, and Eric played the guitar amazingly. If you enjoyed George's music you'll love this DVD. Seing Dhani on stage it was like seing George still playing for us.
Rating: Summary: A wonderful tribute -- and some great music Review: I saw the movie its opening (and closing) weekend -- and was the only one in the theater. Once I got used the eerieness of the experience, I sunk into the beauty and serenity of this film. The guests took the tribute quite seriously and, while some just made well-intended cameo appearances, many weighed in with truly outstanding performances. I expected to cringe at the Eric Clapton - Ravi Shankar instrumental collaboration, but it turned out to be the musical highlight of the film. Any fan of the Beatles, Harrison, or 1960s-80s music will love this tribute.
Rating: Summary: Truly Moving Review: I can only say that if you EVER like the Beatles you will love this movie. It's a moving tribute to an artist that went far beyond The Beatles into a musical realm that is untouched by other artist's. George Harrison's music is timeless, healing and inspirational. Do yourself a musical favour and pick up all the solo George Harrison albums, stick the headphones on and really listen to him.
Rating: Summary: FANTASTIC!!! Review: This concert is one of the best concert that I have seen in the last years. The singers, the songs, the sound and the images are extraordinaries. The performer of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr give a unique credit to this memorable concert. It is a true tribute to the great composer that was George Harrison.
Rating: Summary: one of the best concert films ever Review: this film is a contender to unthrone "the last waltz" or "stop making sense" as the best concert film ever. also is the closest one will ever see to a Beatles reunion Mc Cartney- Ringo Starr-Jeff Lynn and Clapton all on stage togehert
Rating: Summary: All You Need Is Love Review: ... and this dvd! It is a great tribute to a great musician. And it's perfect for musical accompaniment to practice the lessons of the "New Sex Now" dvd.
Rating: Summary: A Great Experience Review: I too was disappointed with the lack of publicity for the film. I only discovered it from the George Harrison website the day before it began showing locally. It was one of the most moving documentaries I've ever seen. I love the way it seemed to encompass the whole man. From the wonderful Ravi Shankar composition to the Mony Python sketches to the wonderful renditions of George's music, it was an experience I'll never forget. I was impressed with the way the performers stayed pretty true to the music of George rather than embelish it with their own personalities. Paul McCartney's performance was especially touching, particularly his rendition of Something. I was also impressed with how much George's son plays the guitar in much the same style as George did. It was a roller coaster of emotions - from tears to laughter and back to tears. The beauty of George Harrison's lyrics and melodies are unsurpassed by any other composer I'v heard and the concert was a wonderful tribute to both the man and his music.
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