Concert for George Harrison DVD

Subject: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: Peter T.
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 09:49 AM

Somebody gave me this for Christmas, and I expected it to be horrible, but it turned out to be quite great. I am a Beatle fan of long standing, but most of these tribute concerts are hideous (there was one for John Lennon that I saw that was miserable, full of half talented people basking in the shadow, wrecking his songs). This one was just about perfect (it really needed Dylan, I think, I wonder where he was? Maybe he would have been one ego too many anyway).

The best thing about it is the first part, with a piece by Ravi Shankar, an extraordinary blend of Indian and Western music that obviously took endless effort -- Shankar's daughter is amazing, conductor, musician, and real beauty. There is a sequence where Eric Clapton plays a brief Eastern piece which was obviously completely hairy to play, and he carries it off. The second half -- George Harrison music -- was quite fine too, with Harrison's son Dhani adding that odd frisson, because he looks so much like his father. Eric Clapton obviously kept the band from dissolving into mush, and there were nice Python bits, and it was beatifully filmed. I enjoyed it all (though why they felt the need to have two DVD disks, one of which also included a feature film which was practically identical to the concert, I do not know).   

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: Ed.
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 02:57 PM

This (or at least the feature film that Peter mentions) was on UK television late on Friday night. I can only but agree with Peter's superb review.

Yes, Bob Dylan was conspicuous by his absence, but I don't think that we should speculate as to why.

A personal highlight was Jeff Lynne's take on 'The Inner Light' (you're right Peter, Anoushka Shankar is a real babe!)

Excellent musicianship and interpretations of George's work throughout. Even though I taped it, I'll be buying the DVD too, in order to see the concert in full. What came over most of all was the feeling of genuine love. Yes, I did shed a tear at the finale: Joe Brown's "I'll see you in my dreams"

Highly recommended.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 03:09 PM

Since Ravi Shankar's other daughter is Norah Jones, there may be something in this genetic stuff after all.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: Ed.
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 04:14 PM

there may be something in this genetic stuff after all

Was there ever any doubt?

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: The Shambles
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 04:27 PM

Yes I just caught the film on TV Friday night and I must agree that it was very fine indeed. There is usually some duff moments in theses affairs, but if there were any on the night, there was not in the film.

There was some good uke playing too. Paul playing one on Something and Joe Brown playing one and singing 'I'll See You In My Dreams' was a nice moment to end on.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: Songster Bob
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 01:40 AM

I have to agree that this was one of the most moving tribute concerts I've ever seen. I saw the theatrical version on public TV and sat through it all the way, which I honestly don't usually do, particularly with TV concerts. I was blown away by the obvious attention to detail and the love of the music shown by the musicians and singers. I noted that McCartney did his numbers and then sat in on piano for following numbers, instead of doing his star turn and leaving. I loved the slide guitar solos, and Billy Preston, and the three drummers and the Shankar piece and the whole thing.

So then I went out and bought the DVD, which I haven't watched so far. In some ways I don't want to lose the feeling I got from the TV airing of the concert.

Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: s6k
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 08:48 PM

This was on BBC1 at 11:30 - 1am on Friday night.
I set the video to tape it.
But, i thought id watch the first half hour then get back to my work.
I ended up watching THE ENTIRE thing! and i have it on tape too and i reckon i will watch it again soon. and buy the dvd.
excellent concert. nice to see jeff lynne back in action. tom petty was great, the final song, ill see you in my dreams was indeed very touching.
Great all round. cant reccommend it more. even if like me you didnt know many harrison songs.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 03:24 AM

The Dogs Bollox in absolutely every way. If I never see another concert I'll die happy in the knowledge that I saw one of the very best.

They were all brilliant (esp. that good ole Lincolnshire Yeller-Belly Joe Brown) but the Shankar section was breathtaking.

A Grateful Johnny
:0) :0) :0) :0)

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: LindsayInWales
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 04:09 AM

I saw it too, it was, as everyone else has said, a superb tribute concert. I was completely taken by surprise, not knowing it was going to be on, as I was about to go to bed and didn't have time to find a spare tape to shove in the player, so I stayed up to watch the entire thing.

For almost 40years the music of Ravi Shankar has given me instant hunger-pangs (thank goodness there is a very fine Indian take-away within a few feet of my front door!)

I think what surprised me most of all is Dhani's uncanny and stunning resemblance to his father.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: The Shambles
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 05:55 AM

For those in the UK that missed it.

The good old Radio Times says that Concert for George will be shown on BBC 4 9.00 - 10.45 on Friday 16 April.

Yes, Bob Dylan was conspicuous by his absence, but I don't think that we should speculate as to why.

Does anyone know why Bob was not involved?

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: GUEST,earthling
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 06:02 AM

Yes to all of the above. It was excellent to the umpth degree. I didn't know it was on, but got word on this forum just before it started and was glued throughout.

I still have a pencil case with " I love George" biroed upon it. And it was THE perfect tribute.No schmaltz, just genuine warmth from everyone involved.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: GUEST,Van
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 07:12 AM

Who was the bloke in the flat cap playing slide? Great concert - Dylan should have been there for the Travelling Wilburys bit but Jeff Lynne did a marvelous stand in for Roy Orbison.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: s6k
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 08:11 AM

i believe mr. flat cap was Andy Fairweather Low, who has played a lot with Roger Waters of Pink Floyd. i may be wrong, but he was definately playing at some point in the concert, he is near the top of the credits

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: C-flat
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:40 PM

Mr."Flat-cap" was actually Marc Mann (producer/arranger all-round-clever-dick). Andy Fairweather-Low was the guy with the straggly beard.
I loved watching this concert and was amazed at how Georges' son had the same uneasy mannerisms as his dad did, George always looked as if he thought he shouldn't be there.
I also agree about the Shankar girls...........WOW!
C-flat.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: GUEST,Jawbone
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 01:41 PM

Bob had tour commitments in another country at the time of the concert. However, a few weeks before the George Harrison concert Bob did a great version of Something at one of his shows announcing before the song something along the lines of: "Theres a tribute in a couple of weeks over in England for George Harrison, with all sorts of people, I can't remember exactly who but we can't make it. But I'd like to do this song especially for George because we were such good buddies" - that is probably not word for word, but the sincerity is solidified by the heart-felt rendidtion Bob gave "Something". I reckon he would have been there if he could, but it was just not to be.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: okthen
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 01:55 PM

On a pedantic note, Andy Fairweather-Low was in the 60's group The Amen Corner, also played in Claptons band for the "From the Cradle" concerts,

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 03:17 PM

Andy Fairweather-Lowe has played 2nd guitar in Eric's band for several years. I've been lucky enough to see him in concert on more than one occasion. The concert was excellent and did I not spot Albert Lee in there somewhere?

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: s6k
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 03:47 PM

albert lee was certainly in the concert and can be seen in the credits. i cant remember what song/s he played on though.

I also saw andy fairweather low live, when i went to see Roger Waters in the flesh concert live, which i also have the DVD to.
He was also accompanied by Snowy White, and both are absolutely fantastic guitarists.

One of the best guitar solos i have ever seen is on that in the flesh DVD, with them both taking turns during the solo of 'Comfortably Numb' its great!

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 03:58 PM

Yes, we also started to watch it, bunged the tape in to video it, and said must go to bed, but still watched it to the end. DVD on next christmas list!

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 07:50 AM

Mine's ordered (from Amazon). I'm gibbering with anticipation.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 09:28 AM

Slight thread creep:
Joe Brown usually does his encore on ukulele, the times I've seen him in the last 2-3 years he either does "'Enery the Eighth" or "I'll see you in my dreams" (or both).
Albert Lee: I enjoyed his work with the Bil Wyman Rhythm Kings a couple of years ago. Before that I'd always assumed he was a Nashville-style country player. He's coming to Ascot in May with Hogan's Heroes so I'll go and hope he's playing more blues than country.

RtS

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: The Shambles
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 01:18 PM

For those in the UK that missed it.

The Concert for George will be shown on BBC 4 9.00 - 10.45 on Friday 16 April.

Subject: RE: Concert for George Harrison DVD
From: s6k
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 10:01 AM

yep thats tonight. was just gonna make a post about it in fact !