Concert for George (2003)
As a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his passing, The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 November 2002 . Organized by Harrison's widow, Olivia, and son, Dhani, and arranged under the musical direction of Eric Clapton and Jeff Lynne. A benefit for Harrison's Material World Charitable Foundation, the all-star concert took place on the day of the first anniversary of his death. Proceeds from the film also went to the Material World Charitable Foundation. The film was shot using discreet cameras from over twelve locations.
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On the 29th November 2002, one year to the day that George Harrison died, his closest friends gathered to celebrate his life in the only way they knew how - by playing his music. The first half of the show provided an insight into George's spiritual self as Anoushka Shankar and a 16-piece orchestra of Indian musicians performed a special composition by her father and George's mentor, Ravi Shankar. The piece was entitled "Arpan", which means offering. Within the piece Ravi expresses aspects of George's moods and spiritual aspirations. "Arpan" includes Eric Clapton playing a haunting acoustic solo.The second half gave the audience a rare sighting of members of the Monty Python team performing some of George's favorite skits, including participation from a surprise guest. This was a tribute to George's well-known sense of humor.The night then moved to Eric and friends giving the performance of their lives singing George's songs. All the musicians that George worked with over the years, from The Beatles to the Traveling Wilburys, dedicating their time to learn the songs and perform them as a tribute to their dear friend.Eric Clapton led the band with Jeff Lynne singing "I Want To Tell You", "Inner Light" and "Give Me Love". Jools Holland and Sam Brown gave "Horse To The Water" it's first live outing. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers gave a particularly resounding performance of "Taxman" as well as "I Need You" and the Wilbury's number, "Handle With Care". Ringo Starr caught everyone with a tear in their eye with a rendition of "Photograph", a composition he wrote with George, which seemed to sum up how everyone felt. Paul McCartney, fresh from his world tour, treated everyone to a little bit of Ukulele - one of George's favorite instruments and joined Eric and band for "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "For You Blue". Billy Preston had everyone out of their seats and singing along with "My Sweet Lord". The band then came together to give a rousing version of "Wah-Wah".Joe Brown closed the evening with the old standard; "I'll See You In My Dreams", a loving and appropriate sentiment. It was a great show for one of the most loved men of our generation. We will remember George and this evening forever and hopefully we will see him in our dreams.Exceptionally moving but not the least bit sentimental, Concert for George is a splendid tribute to the late George Harrison, whose contributions to the Beatles were so often hidden in the long shadows of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.The performances of these great songs are truly heartfelt and emotional.Although this is unlikely to join the ranks of the great concert tributes,it does provide both deep musical pleasures and a touching farewell to the former Beatle.
This is a must for George Harrison and the Beatles fans.The mystical one deserved this tribute.I was disappointed that Dylan did not appear though:he was part of the Traveling Wilburys after all.Highlights: 'The inner light" :it was the first time it had been performed live ,because it needed Indian musicians.Here it's the perfect link between the Eastern and the Western cultures "Isn't it a pity" emotionally and musically the climax of the concert;the ending is awesome,featuring great guitar parts from Clapton and Dhani's backing vocals à la "Hey Jude" (which was written for a Beatles' son!) "While my guitar gently weeps" perhaps George's masterpiece ,always a favorite of everyone."For you blue" was not IMHO,one of George's best songs, but Paul's two other numbers were simply great: "something" played with the ukulele,an instrument which was prominent in Georges's final recording "Brainwashed";and "all things must pass" was an obvious choice since it was first recorded with the Beatles in the Twickenham studios in January 1969.
This is a concert, not in the traditional sense and what comes out of it far exceeds the output of your standard "concert". This is a group of close friends holding a delayed wake for a dearly loved lost friend, not a stop on some tour. The songs are familiar, yet new. The mixture of emotion that comes with the concert does soften the sound of the music a bit, but does not dampen the spirit of the concert. Who'd a' thought that someone could pick up a Ukuele and produce a beautiful rendition of I'll See You in My Dreams as did Joe Brown? If on some other far away plain, George Harrison was watching I'd bet he was pleased! It would be difficult to produce a better tribute to George Harrison than was this Concert!
CONCERT FOR GEORGE (2003) ***1/2 FEATURING: Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Ravi Shankar, Joe Brown, Billy Preston, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Tom Hanks; Special Guests: Dhoni & Olivia Harrison. Wonderful tribute concert to music legend George Harrison held at England's Royal Albert Hall one year to the date after his death celebrating The Quiet Beatle with a mélange of his songs with music by his mates and collaborators, rejoicing with warmth and some humor (thanks to a partial Monty Python reunion with 'honorary' member Hanks (!) for 'The LumberJack Song'). A touching tribute to a bonafide genius.(Dir: David Leland)