Rating: Summary: Im proud I own this one Review: Iam in a rush, Ive just seen the first disc (the complete concert) and Iam still amazed at how good this one is, the level of emotion and quelity just rise and rise nonstop, its climax? the very end, I felt I had to write about it right now, it might sound stupid but....I cry every 10 years or so, but the final song brought a small tear to my eye, IT IS moving, in a good way though. The songs are beautifully performed, the guests are excellent (although I did miss bob dylan), these days is too hard to find tribute concerts so classy as this one. I dont know if you will find this review useful or not, I just had to write about it. Hey, now I have to watch the second disc.
Rating: Summary: touching tribute to great artist Review: The performances were virtually flawless. the stage was litered with music legends who checked their egos at the door. even the notoriously egocentric mccartney avoided his natural tendency to dominate the proceedings and did his part as one of the gang. dhani harrison looked frighteningly like his father is the early beatle years. i wish i could have heard his voice in the mix. the concert featured most of george's classics. highlights include "isn't it a pity" "while my guitar gently weeps" with clapton and mccartney dueting and "something" which starts with the simple ukelele arrangment paul did on his last tour and builds with the full band and orchestra elevating the song to a majestic climax. hearing these songs back to back by such great talent serves as a reminder of how underrated harrison is as a composer. while his catalog may not match the lennon mccartney canon, the number of songwriters with that many classics is a short list.
Rating: Summary: This guitar (can't keep from crying) Review: I had been eager to see the film of the tribute concert at the Royal Albert Hall, but I did not realize it would be this good. The film starts with a live recording of "The Inner Light," which originally had been released as the B-side of "Lady Madonna", had not appeared on an original Beatles album at all. The original was dreary, less compelling than other George tunes recorded for the Beatles with Indian musicians (with hardly any contribution from the other Beatles). But in this concert version, it is absolutely stunning, despite the same arrangement. And the musical mastery just escalates from there. The guest artists are just wonderful to watch (and the female artists, well, I will just say they made my pulse accelerate!). But despite having watched this film a few times (I cannot tire of it), it always leaves me with a lump in my throat. George was not one of the best musicians in rock history (as I am sure he would be first to admit), but you are reminded of his sincerety, commitment, humility, and quest for peace. As Paul would say, what's wrong with that?
Rating: Summary: A Beautiful Farewell To The Quiet One Review: George's passing like John's left a big hole in the music world. While he was not the most prolific of The Beatles, the statement can be made that The Beatles would've simply not been The Beatles without him. He didn't write as many songs as John and Paul, but when he wrote, he wrote! This tribute, organized by bossom-buddy Eric Clapton, is probably the most beautifully staged and photographed concert since The Band's Last Waltz 28 years ago. Taking place at the Royal Albert Hall (the Filmore of England) we get a who's who of George's friends. This DVD gives you 2 versions of the concert. Disc 1 consists of the entire concert unedited which this review refers to. Disc 2 contains the abreviated version used for theatrical release. This release incorporated behind the scenes interviews and footage that you can see separately on this disc as well. The show opens with a great opening shot of the stage decked out with Indian and other foreign musicians dressed in white with a big photo of George hanging overhead. The stage is lit in a beautiful subdued gold color giving the show an ambience like I've never seen. After a brief opening announcement by Eric, we're treated with a half hour of some of the most beautiful Indian music I've ever heard put together by George's mentor Ravi Shankar and his lovely and very talented daughter Anoushka. But the high point of this segment in my opinion is fellow Wilbury Jeff Lynn performing that sweet and almost forgotten gem that George wrote in '68 The Inner Light. After a brief intermission, the show lightens-up with the Python crew (minus John Cleese, Tom Hanks filling in?!) doing their classic bits like Sit On My Face and The Lumberjack Song. George's film company produced a number of their films. Next up is basically a stellar all-star jam of George's best songs. There's just to much here to go over completely, but take my word for it, it's terrific. Hightlights are Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers doing Taxman, then with Lynn, the Wilbury's hit Handle With Care, and ,of course, Eric with Paul on While My Guitar Gently Weeps. But it's all great ending with Joe Brown singing I'll See You In My Dreams while rose pettles fall from the ceiling onto the audience. As for picture and sound on this set, you can't get any better. The shades of gold on the stage come through real sharp. And if you have DTS on your system, that's the way to go. I have several Albert Hall concerts on disc and this one is best sounding of them all. Parting thoughts: There absolutely nothing sad about this show. In fact, it's really uplifting! George was a man who really cared about people and this show reflects that care. My only criticism of this concert is the obvious no-show of one of George's closest friends, Bob Dylan. But I respect Bob, and I'm sure he had a good reason for not being able to attend. All in all, this a must-have DVD. So pop it in the player, turn down the lights, fire-up the incense and enjoy!
Rating: Summary: Simply great Review: As of this writing, there's nearly 200 reviews of this DVD, and the number of reviews with less than 5 stars can be counted on one hand. That pretty much says it all. This DVD is brilliant.
Rating: Summary: GEORGE Review: Really good. George's son Dhani looks so much like him that it's like George is standing there. Billy Preston and all sounded so nice on "My Sweet Lord". Paul McCartney did a wonderful tribute to George (and the uke) on "Something". George was the man. He was such a wonderful "seeker" and his music is perfect. I wish ole Bob would have been in on this but you can't have everythng.
Rating: Summary: While my eyes gently weep Review: The best and most touching music video I've seen. But don't buy it for that reason, buy it because the music is untouchable. Performed by the best of the best this is our generations music redone to perfection.Since the video starts with Ravi Shankars tribute to George, titled Arpan or offering, I'll start there too. On first viewing I thought Arpan was perhaps a few minutes too long. On second viewing I was able to focus more on the musicianship and craft of the song and found myself amazed that this Indian orchestra could produce such beautiful but different music. From the wonderful and heartfelt voices to Ravis daughter on sitar and everything in between this is the best display of Indian musical talent I've ever seen. Beautiful and not a minute too long. The western band is loaded with superstars including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Jools Holland, Sam Brown, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Dhani Harrison, Billy Preston, Gary Brooker (Procul Harum) and Jim Capaldi. Many others are sprinkled throughout the band. Watch the percussionist! Some show highlights: Sam Brown steals the show completely. Her rendition of Horse to Water showcases the soul that the best of George's songs all have. Her voice is wonderful, touching and ballsy at the same time. The band cooks on this one. This should be released as a single. Paul McCartney on For You Blue. Paul does a few key numbers and then becomes a member of the band, playing in the background like everyone else. On all of his songs his voice shines. Somehow he has returned to the powerful singer he once was and perhaps even better. Ever since Flowers in the Dirt, up to Driving Rain and now in this concert Pauls voice has just gotten better and better. An amazing performance. Billy Preston on Isn't It a Pity. You have to see it to believe it. Billy is the keyboardist that played with the Beatles on Let It Be and was with them for their last rooftop performance. His soulfull keyboard playing and incredible voice make this song one of the most powerful tributes to George in the concert. Monty Python and crew perform The LumberJack song and Sit On My Face, very funny. Who would expect to be mooned, in The Hall of Albert, on such an occasion. Look for Tom Hanks in the Mountie group. Olivia comments at the end, "With Dhani on stage it looks like George got younger while the rest of us aged." Dhani has the looks and mannerisms of his father and is present during most of the concert playing and singing backup. Summary: Buy the DVD. This is the best Beatle video, the best music video and the best tribute video available.
Rating: Summary: INCREDIBLE! Review: The other writers here summed up this concert video beautifully. I just wanted to add that this is probably the BEST concert video you will ever see! I have to admit that I really haven't listened to much of George Harrison's solo music, but after this video, plan to explore it more in-depth. What a touching tribute to someone who gave so much to the world of music. I rented this DVD, but plan on buying it TODAY -I would recommend it to anyone!
Rating: Summary: Music with a capital M... Review: There is music and then there is Music. The former is an assemblage of words and chromatic sounds that will entertain you. The latter is the expression of humanity. George Harrison is one of the rare people of his generation to have made Music. Wether you like(d) the Beatles or not, even if you didn't follow Harrison's "life after the Beatles", absolutely buy this DVD. It is a grandiose homage to a beautiful human being, a clever, spiritual and sensitive man. I can never help but wonder at the richness of his lyrics, even when he let out his cleverly sarcastic sense of humor. His melodies, combined with his frail but expressive voice, always served the text perfectly (although sometimes the songs were overproduced). George Harrison, in spite of his fame and fortune, always remained the kind of person that we should all aim to become. The world would be a much better place... Oh yes, and "god" Brooker singing Old Brown Shoe brought a damn big smile to my face !!!
Rating: Summary: Perfect. Review: The perfect tribute for the perfect artist with perfect love, that's what this is. As the cynic I can sometimes be, I am emotionally touched by this tribute. Very personally do I feel my admiration and love for George. Anything less than this tribute would have been insulting, anything more would have been too. It's genuine love displayed by people who loved and cherished a rare type of person in this world, who is even rarer among musicians. He walked his talk. He is George Harrison, a man who has influenced millions, if not billions of people. Buy this DVD set and you will be moved very deeply by the gratitude and affection shown by his friends. Brilliant, if I could give it more stars your monitor would be filled with them.
|