Customer Reviews

Concert for George

5 star:		(369)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The concert event had the chance to be sappy and morose. Thank God, it isn't. Instead, it's a lot of George's friends covering his songs, having fun doing it, and otherwise doing what they've always been doing.

Summary: Great guests, superior musicianship. Buy This DVD. Now.

The show opens with a few words from Clapton, who introduces Ravi Shankar and his daughter. They play a fair amount of Indian music. It's pretty good, I have to admit, though not my cup of tea. One word - Ravi Shankar's daughter is quite the sitar player... She plays a piece and violates at least 2 rules of physics. Amazing.

Then the Western band forms up. They play a number of songs, with luminaries being introduces and added to the band over the course of the evening.

Highlights, in no particular order:
1) Ringo :-) During "Honey Don't" Look for Albert Lee. His solo is blistering though short.
2a) Clapton on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
2b) Clapton having the class to not play all the solos thereby making it the "Eric Clapton Show." Instead most of the real guitar work is being done by someone I don't know. I think it's Clapton's long-time guitarist. My son and I call him "THE Guy".
2c) Clapton in general
3) Watch Tom Petty's guitar player get OWNED by George on "Taxman". Tom does this song kinda weird, it's probably the weakest track.
4) Sam Brown. What a voice!
5) Waa Waa. Amazing.
6) Something by Paul, via uke.
7) Ravi's daughter and her sitar. Your eyebrows will fly up!
8) Dhani has George's spooky eyebrow thing going on.
9) Jeff Lynne is there, and takes an active part doing what he does best. Bob Dylan is notably absent.

Every track is worthwhile and many are superb. And while a lot of similar productions are muddy and horrid, this isn't. Eric is running the show, and keeps it moving and clean.

The only dings I give this production are
1) The "behind the scenes" footage is too sparse. I know there had to me more...
2) The band isn't introduced well enough. I expected a close up of every performer, with a hello, and a name. See 2b) above.

Worlds beyond the usual concert film, this is a deeply emotional experience for those lucky enough to have had George's music woven into their lives. A perfect balance of joy, laughter and loss, a delicate and perfect balance of rock, pop, blues, comedy, classical Eastern raga and ukelele. Contrary to most tribute and hall of fame concerts finding dozens of dinosaurs falling all over each other in sloppy camaraderie and faulty beats, this assembly under Eric Clapton's direction give specific, tight, heartfelt and soaring performances of exceptional grandeur... so obviously trying to do their best for George that it tears your heart out at points. Clapton's work is both grief stricken and exhilarating, McCartney's sadness renders him unusually subdued and appealing, Anoushka Shankar's performance is absolutely transcendant, and Sam Brown's rockin' rendition of "Horse to Water" is a killer, a real treat. This film is, to put it simply, an exquisite and overwhelming experience. Thank you George. And George, just so you'll know... there wasn't a dry eye in the theater...

Wow!!!! I don't know how anyone can sit through this with a dry eye!! Stunning, heartfelt performances by George's buddies. Jeff Lynne's sound mix was awesome!! The interviews with Eric, Tom Petty and others really shed light on the love for the man we all miss. George created the original benefit concert and it is only fitting that everyone came together on the anniversary of his death to pay tribute. Now I will wait patiently until the DVD release in November.

Long live George!

I am an avid Beatles fan and I was just blown away by the concert.

A. The Performances

Great musicians and friends/collaborators of George: Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, etc. do an outstanding job and everyone of them put their heart and soul into the songs of George Harrison and make them come alive. It is eerie, but when you listen to Clapton singing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," Paul McCartney singing "All Things Must Pass," or Billy Preston singing "My Sweet Lord," you could sense the presence of George as they're singing! Their renditions of Harrison's songs were just as masterful as George singing them. Those 3 songs stood out to me.

Some other musical highlights:

1) Ringo Starr's touching rendition of "Photograph" (the words take on a completely new meaning in this tribute) and "Honey Don't."

2) Anoushka Shankar's beautiful sitar playing accompanying Jeff Lynne's rendition of "The Inner Light."

3) Joe Brown's tender covers of "Here Comes the Sun" and "I'll See You in My Dreams."

4) Dhani Harrison's acknowledgement and thanks to all the musicians playing.

5) Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr playing together for the 1st time live in over 40 years!!! And they seem to be having a good time!

6) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and their exciting performance of "Taxman" and spot-on re-endition of "I Need You."

7) Billy Preston's enthusiastic singing of "My Sweet Lord"

8) The funny song "Lumberjack" by Monty Python which really lightened up the crowd and the occasion.

B. The Editing

I also liked how the DVD focussed its shots mostly on the musicians performing the songs, rather than panning to the audience and then back to the musicians. (This back and forth between the musicians and then the audience is a very annoying feature which plagues the Paul McCartney "live" DVDs).

C. The Unique Layout of the Discs

This movie is organized in an interesting fashion:

Disc 1 features the whole complete concert ( 2 hr 26 min) -- you cannot do any chapter or song selections.

Disc 2 is the theatrical version (2 hr 20 min) -- these are songs from the concert rearranged in order and backstage/ rehearsal scenes/ interviews of the musicians are interspersed within the songs. You can do scene / chapter selection for Disc 2.

D. Some Reservations

Even though the "Lumberjack" song was very funny and lightened up the occasion, I didn't care for the song "Sit on My Face" or the mooning of the audience when the Python members bared their rear-ends to the audience. I felt this dampened the whole respectability and dignity of the whole concert.

Summary:

That aside, I highly recommend this DVD. The performances are outstanding; the picture and sound quality are excellent.
If you're a Beatles fan and a fan of George, you'll love this DVD! A must-have! One of the best concert DVDs you can get!

Having had the privilege of seeing the actual concert featuring Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Joe Brown, Ringo Starr, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Dhani Harrison, Billy Preston, Jules Holland acccompanying Sammy Brown in George's last release before his death- a blow-you-away performance of "Horse to Water - an unexpected treat, MOnty Python (with Tom Hanks featured), Ravi Shankar and his amazing daughter Anoushka as well as the film, I can tell you that both are uniquely enjoyable. The DVD will give the advantage of providing both, one on each disc.Do see it in the theater if you can, for that big-screen, being-there effect, but try to catch it in a theater with decent sound! I saw it in two theaters, one with surround (sounded fabulously realistic) and one with a sytem pathetically inadequate to the subject. The film and DVD were mastered by muscican/producer extraordinaire Jeff Lynne, who pays great attention to detail to produce perfect sound, so if you saw it in a less-than-wonderful theater, know that the DVD will sound fantastic on a decent system. Also, while the film wonderfully interjects short interviews and scenes from rehearsals, etc., which are quite enjoyable, know that the actual concert is longer and you can see it in its totality on the second disc.
It will surely touch your heart - lots of love projected - and DO stay for the end credits for something you won't want to miss.

Absolutely the best concert film you'll ever see. Watching the musicians give their best makes you understand the love they had for George. Somewhere in the interviews someone says they rehearsed three weeks for this concert...I don't know of any other man, politician, president, or athlete that their friends would put aside three weeks to pay tribute. Absolutely a stunning performance on DVD... I too dreaded the Indian music segment (having seen George on tour in the 1970's) ... that is before I saw it ... absolutely some of the most touching powerful music I have ever heard and I have been a player and listener for a long time. Thanks Ravi - we should all be lucky enough to have a friend compose such a beautiful musical work for us. Someone needs to get an award for this DVD!!!! Now everyone go buy a ukelele and keep George in your heart.... a great artist and man. Watching the interaction between Dhani and the other musicians, should father George be watching down... he can feel confident that his son will be guided through life by his loving friends.

If you've already seen Concert for George on dvd, the blu-ray does not have much additional material. But it does have improved picture and DTS HD Master sound. The sound alone was worth the purchase for me. The performances are all inspired, the mix fantastic, and the songs are arranged to truly honor their friend, George Harrison. It is as inspiring as it is moving, and just a touch surreal, with Dhani Harrison, looking incredibly like his father as a young man, in the center of the stage for so much of the show. The reverence with which the musicians treat the material is humbling and entirely appropriate. There really isn't a weak song or moment. The show continually builds from beginning to end, and it is very easy to connect with the obvious inspiration and love emanating from each musician. If you like the music of George Harrison, or you like any of the musicians playing in this concert, you will love Concert for George. It is simply beautiful.

I inadvertently came across this DVD package while browsing Amazon and I decided to order it. What an unexpected gift from above! Truly the spirit of George Harrison permeates this incredible concert. I have to say up front that I am an original Beatles freak who grew up with their music and who knows every note of every song in the minutest of detail (yes, I am also a musician of some 37 years). Therefore, I always enter these "concerts" with tremendous expectation if not trepidation at what havoc an assortment of heavy-handed musicians can wreak upon the subtle genius of the Beatles (and George's) collective works.
Alas, my fears quickly evaporated upon hearing the first song as played by Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne and band. One of my all-time favorites, "I Want To Tell You", was given just the exact amount of delicacy mixed with driving rock spirit (I know that sounds like an odd juxtaposition, but that's how George's genius works), that I was in pure musical ecstacy which did not abate until the DVD ended. Every single performer from Clapton to Billy Preston to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to Paul McCartney (yep, he's there, too), played and sang every note with love, enthusiasm, and emotion as if they were trying to pass a heavenly audition being overseen by Harrison himself. Paul's version of "Something", which starts out as a solo on ukelele then morphs into the full band/orchestra version we've come to know and love, could raise goose bumps on a cadaver. Yet, none of it ever seems phony, contrived or overwrought. There is also a portion of the concert that features an incredible composition by Ravi Shankar and an even more incredible performance by his daughter, Anoushka on sitar.
I could obviously go on and on about this spectacular DVD, about how great the audio and video quality of the package is, about how moving each performance is (tears came to my eyes more than once, especially when you see George's son, Dhani, onstage playing guitar and looking like an exact clone of his Dad) but I'll leave it at this: if you're a Beatles/George Harrison fan, do not hesitate. Heck, if you just like great music and wonderful artistry, don't hesitate. Buy this DVD and don't forget the kleenex. Like the other reviews have said: you'll watch it again and again.

This definitely ranks up there with Live Aid, Concert for NYC, and others. In a lot of ways, this surpasses them. The photography and lighting are beautiful. The Indian piece sets a nice spiritual beginning. The songs gave me an insight into why George loved Indian music so much.

The musicians were outstanding. Eric Clapton was excellent as musical director/participant. His vocals and guitar playing were in top form. Jeff Lynne did well on the Travelling Willburys and solo George material. Tom Petty singing Taxman and I need You was perfect. Those songs fit his range so well. Billy Preston singing My Sweet Lord gave it a nice gospel feel to it. Ringo did very well singing Photograph and Honey Don't. While some feel these songs were out of place, George co wrote the first one with Ringo and did love Carl Perkins. It should be noted when Carl Perkins (who also died of cancer in 1998) passed away, George sang at his funeral. Some people have stated Paul was trying to "steal the show". I don't know if they saw the same concert that I did. Paul did excellent on For You Blue and All Things Must Pass. He also did great on sharing vocals on While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and blending into Eric Clapton's part on Something. You could tell the grief and celebration was in all performers.

This is a concert to get for anyone who loves George, the Beatles, or music in general. I can't add any more praise to this DVD. I suspect when historians are debating the best concert/DVD of 2000-2010; this will be at the top of the list.

This DVD is wonderful on many levels. Where to begin. The opening Indian sequence is superb with the musicianship shown by Anoushka Shankar breathtaking to behold. The Indian Orchestra are no slouches either!! While it may be a little tempting for some to skip ahead to the "western" part, this opening section of the concert has to be seen and heard to be believed. Originally "The Inner Light" was issued in 1968 as a Single B-Side to "Lady Madonna". I've always loved this song. Here it's given beautiful treatment in a sublime performance by Jeff Lynne, Anoushka, Indian players along with George's son, Dhani Harrison on piano. I hadn't fully appreciated the intricasies of this song until I watched Anoushka perform it on the Sitar. She then proceeds to conduct the Indian Orchestra on "Arpan", a specially composed piece by her father, the Legendary Ravi Shankar. With an amazing interplay between the Indian players and a Orchestral String Section plus Eric Clapton on Acoustic Guitar, the song takes us on a marvellous journey. Yes Dhani, your Dad would love this.
In a fashion only George could appreciate and approve of, the seriousness of the preceeeding wonderful moment is consigned to fading memory as the Monty Python "Barber Shop Quartet" regales us with "Sit On My Face", bare backsides and all with respectful bows to George's portrait. Michael Palin then leads the guys into "The Lumberjack Song" after a funny but fruitless "tribute" to George. Tom Hanks guests as a stand-in Mountie.
After a brief intermission we are entertained by an amazing band, all George's mates, led by Eric Clapton. It was also eerie on 2 fronts (1) the image of Dhani on centre stage with his peers playing rhythm guitar as part of the band all the while looking like George circa 1963-64 and (2) the most amazing aspect of the band itself was the sound it generated, with George's slide sounds particularly replicated so accurately, you'd think George was up there with them...I'm sure he was in spirit!. The special moments are numerous. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jeff Lynne, Joe Brown and daughter Sam, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Gary Brooker & Eric Clapton all contribute truly faithful renditions of George's classic songs. Ringo also chipped in with "Honey Don't", a Carl Perkins classic, truly appropriate as Carl was a hero to George. No egos, no grandstanding, just beautiful musicianship from all concerned. The tributes to George were very understated, the introductions to the various performers simple and to the point. Yeah Ringo was jolly, but that's Ringo. Paul's ukele version of "Something" with Eric Clapton & band joining in halfway was nicely contrasting while moving. His rendition of "All Things Must Pass" was very poignant while "For You Blue" brought back memories of "the old 12 bar blues". He then takes a back seat like the other guys and just plays piano and sings along. Billy Preston's take on "My Sweet Lord" is very special indeed. Sam Brown is exceptional on "Horse To The Water". Petty & Co. on "Taxman", "I Need You" and with fellow Wilbury Jeff Lynne on "Handle With Care" do George proud. Again, "Taxman" is a real highlight because George's great original guitar work is accurately reproduced here and it's only now, after watching it played, can I realise it's complexity. George was a much better guitarist than I had previously realised. Many other special moments are too numerous mention. However the Joe Brown ukelele finale "I'll See You In My Dreams", complete with red and yellows flowers dropping like confetti into the grand looking Albert Hall, a very apt venue, is a "suitable ending" to momentous occasion. Unlike many recent concert DVD's, the camera work here focuses on the musicians at hand and the concerts many highs are beautifully presented as a result. Thank you. It was a truly emotional occasion for all present, be they performers or audience and it was a fitting tribute to George's memory.
The 2nd disc includes a shorter cinematic version as well as interviews and rehearsals which are a wonderful experience to watch. The preparations during the "Indian" rehearsals are fascinating and watching Ravi Shankar compose on the fly and then try to interpret his intentions to the String Section make for some really nice moments. The interviews with Dhani are particularly special especially when he demonstrates things his Dad showed him to play and when he talks about the experience of being on stage with such a huge band... 8 guitarists, 4 drummers...wow! Python backstage is also great fun and the rehearsals very entertaining.

Overall if you don't like this DVD then you've probably got a heart of stone and ice in your veins or you're just very hard to please indeed. I can't fault it and I utterly, utterly recommend it to anyone who love George Harrison's music but also those who love concert DVD's.