Concert for George

Rating:
Summary: Sentimental Journey
Review: All I can say is that this was an excellent concert film that no Beatle or George Harrison fan should miss out on. Eric Clapton and company gave a moving tribute to George, and the music by no means spoke for itself. Billy Preston's rendition of "My Sweet Lord" and "Isn't a Pity" brought another dimension to these songs, which was both soulful and energetically charged.

For a musician who had been called the so-called "quiet" Beatle, his music as a solo artist was not at all quiet, but rather inspirational, spiritual, and timeless. This is a highly recommended dvd that should not be missed.

Rating:
Summary: Try Some, Buy Some
Review: I am not easily given to superlatives but the Concert For George exceeded my expectations in every way (and they were pretty high).

First of all, let me say that if you do purchase this DVD, do not skip ahead of the classical Indian music segment (as many were apt to do with "Concert For Bangla Desh." If this concert contained only this segment it would be a gift in itself, but fortunately there is the sublime tribute of George's music to follow. Anoushka Shankar is brilliant as performer and conductor. The juxtaposition of sitar, vocal and ensemble music for the first segment (with George's Inner Light featuring Jeff Lynn doing the vocal) is truly captivating. If you are not familiar or particularly fond of Indian music, indulge yourself, open your ears and you might really enjoy this performance.

Chris Menges camera work gives this concert film an aspect that is rare in the genre. The feeling of intimacy -- you almost feel as if you are sitting in the Royal Albert Hall. Not only are you on stage, but there are beautiful sweeping angles of the hall as well.

The performances are inspired. I was especially taken with how well Paul McCartney's voice blended with Eric Clapton. And like a previous reviewer I was not aware of Joe Brown (I am now). Gary Brooker gives a wonderful performance of "Old Brown Shoe" and some great piano work throughout. Jeff Lynne seemed a little nervous during his Inner Light performance, (who wouldn't with all those master musicians behind him -- among them Vishna Mowan Bhatt, percussionist Emil Richards, and Ravi Shankar to name a few), but seemed to settle down and gave apt tribute to his departed friend, as did Tom Petty. And we forgot (again), about Billy. Billy Preston just has a way of engaging the audience as he demonstrated 30+ years ago in the Bangla Desh concert. He does it again here.

If there is any disappointment at all, it is when musicians give tribute or cover George's songs they are only tapping a fraction of his output and only seem to focus on the "hits." It would have been nice to maybe hear such lesser known pieces "Be Here Now," "Your Love Is Forever" or even "Far East Man." But this is a minor complaint.

And I was glad that Sir Paul made a comment at the end of the concert because it haunted me throughtout the film. You are so drawn to the image of Dhani Harrison on the stage because he so looks like George circa 1965-66. If you see photos from the Beatles "Help" photo shoot, Dhana's resemblence is eerie. From the stooped manner when he strums the guitar, as well as some of his facial expressions, there is no doubt about his bloodline...

"Concert For George" is a fitting tribute to a man who gave much to the world. I wish now that I had had an opportunity to see and hear it on the big screen. If you can't think of a gift for someone who loves music, this should make your choices a little easier this holiday season...

Rating:
Summary: george and friends
Review: rented this dvd from my favorite rental shop.
thought i would find it interesting being a life long beatles fan but some of these tribute shows can be a bit dicey so i put it in very casually.
two hours later, i felt someone had to climb up to drag me down from the cloud i was floating on.
beginning with some heartfelt comments by george's friends eric clapton and ravi shankar and with the presense of george's wife nearby, the packed royal albert hall in london witnessed a once in a lifetime tribute to one of the music worlds treasured spirits and guiding lights.
like others, my initial reaction to the opening of the show-a full Indian orchestra, was something i imagined i would be skipping over without much arm twisting.
but i began to watch and was mesmerized with the musianship of all the musicians and singers led by the virtuoso performing of ravi shankar's daughter playing her sitar and later, conducting the orchestra.
this first indian section of the concert lasts quite a while bringing to a close with mr. clapton and his acoustic guitar adding to the mood.
i was thouroughly wrapped up in the indian music like i never thought i could be. it was the first time i had ever sat through an entire indian piece not wanting to skip it.
it was the influence of george from on-high yet, as mr. shankar put it , with us in the room this night, that held me rapt during the music george came to love.
jeff lynn came out during the indian portion and sang and played guitar to george's inner light. what a treat.
after an intermission, the 'western' music began.
to a beatles fan and fan of george harrison's music, i was not nearly disappointed. on the contrary, i was in awe at how excellent every rendition of a harrison song was executed.
each chestnut was treated as an unearthed gem and polished with fine care by all the performers.
i must comment as others have at the joy it was to watch george's son on stage. dhani is the spitting image of his father as he was when a young man. it was uncanny to watch.
one reviewer suggested that ringo singing honey don't did not really fit in to the program and was corrected by another reviewer that carl perkins was in fact a large inspiration to george and therefore very fitting.
i interject another case of did it fit however and that would be the song performed by jools holland and sung by (a very foxy looking) sam browne called HORSE TO THE WATER. now, what this has to do with george harrison-i'll be happy to be enlightened.
thank you.
a beautiful booklet comes inside the dvd cover and a beautiful cover it is.
i'm tired of all the paul bashers out there and his singing of For YOu blue was nice and his introduction to george's song Something was wistful and simple, leading into the full band version.
as proven by all the 5 star reviews, this concert and dvd are a joy, a treat and a moving experience.
in the same vein, may i also recommend another outstanding concert recorded and available on dvd and that is david gilmour in concert.
very similar in performance and professionalism.

Rating:
Summary: MY SWEET LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: WOW. This is really an exceptional DVD. Eric Clapton put together a wonderful band of friends that is pleasing to anyone who ever listened to George's music or knew anything about his life. McCartney and Ringo were wonderful. I loved how Something combined the Uke and full blown versions. JOE BROWN!!!!! I have never heard of this gentleman and was scratching my head going who is this guy? I was pleasantly suprised by the songs that Mr. Brown performed especially That's the Way it Goes and obviously I'll See you in My Dreams. Everybody was Great. The Pythons that were in attendance were divine. Michael Palin's attempt at eulogizing George and scrapping it for the Lumberjack Song was hysterical.
Do yourself a favor if you want to be thoroughly entertained for Two and a half hours then buy this DVD and watch it.

Everyone did a wonderful job. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Jeff Lynne, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton ( Beware of Darkness is an awesome song and I'm glad that it was performed as well a Wah Wah )

Rating:
Summary: A Religious Experience
Review: this is beautiful
suddenly George's songs make so much sense
and i love the egolessness of it all
even sir paul knows his place
it makes the same-day-release let it be naked
seem shallow and weak
warning: have plenty of tissues handy

all glories to Sri Hari George!

Rating:
Summary: Still my favorite Beatle...
Review: Worth the price simply for Clapton's guitar on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". I even enjoyed "The Inner Light", a tune I didn't particularly like when it came out when I was a teenager!

Rating:
Summary: If not now,when???
Review: As you have read in other reviews (which are all dead on),there are no excuses!

Great performances
Great audio sonics
Great video
No Btitney,Christina,Justine,J-Lo, or other jokes

If you don't buy this now,and I mean right now,then you will reap my utter disgust!

Rating:
Summary: Far beyond my highest expectations
Review: I'm not sure there's much to be said here that hasn't already been said by all the glowing reviews posted here. A better tribute to George Harrison I have a hard time imagining. Paul can barely keep his composure as he starts to sing "Something" on ukelele. You can watch it five times and still have a hard time keeping the tears back. It's almost like all the performers are slightly elevated, just a bit more spiritual than they might otherwise be, as a huge picture of George looks down upon them as they perform just superb renditions of his songs. It made me realize how great his songwriting was, both words and music. It made me feel a bit disappointed that his songs have not had the success and exposure that, say, McCartney's have over the years. But maybe that's what makes them that much more special. The secret's out!

To top it all off, this is probably the best-produced, best-edited, sharpest, cleanest-sounding concert DVD I've seen/heard. If only all concert films could translate even half this well to DVD. Five stars easy! $20 for these two DVDs is a fabulous deal. You all must think I work for the production company :) If you buy any music DVD in the next year, you'd be silly not to make it this one. Cheers to George and his friends.

Rating:
Summary: A concert dvd could not get any better!
Review: As you can see from the positive ratings (at this point in time, 35 reviews, all 5 stars!), this is the perfect dvd for George fans.

I had my doubts at first. I am not a fan of Jeff Lynne, and not that big a fan of Clapton. And some of these other people: Sam Brown? Joe Brown? Who the hell are they?

Well, they're all friends of George! And, as it turns out, all amazing singers and musicians!

And Clapton and Lynne to excellent jobs of performing and of supervising this show!

Even the Indian music in the beginning of the full concert is great!

I originally saw the theatrical release and knew I would buy the dvd when it came out. But the fact that it comes out with TWO dvd's - one of the theatrical release - and one of the FULL concert, is more than I could have hoped for!

All I can say is, this is probably the best "Tribute" performance that was ever given anyone; the love just shines through from every performer! And the director of the video, and Jeff Lynne's production of the audio is equally fantastic!

If you are a Beatles fan, you MUST have this dvd. You will cherish it! If you maybe weren't that big a fan of George, this is likely to turn you on to his music!

Really I could have just said just one word in this review:
BEAUTFIFUL!

Rating:
Summary: Thank You George
Review: This is the best damn DVD out there. While you watch it, you can tell that every single person up there is really connected to the music because they love to play. And to have George's son Dhani up there for the whole show was awesome. Also, all of the interviews and rehearsals were very good because it showed the process of making this show so special. I recommend buying this DVD and watching it from beginning to end, because you'll keep wanting more.