You can really feel the Love for George

33 years ago in 1971, George gave the proceeds from Concert for Bangladesh to help millions in India to meet basic survival needs. He created the novel idea of benefit concerts that many others have continued until today. So it is more than appropriate for all his friends and extended family to honor him in this way. The music may look like another "greatest hits" compilation or nostalgic tribute, but it is really much more than that. Great care and attention to every detail/ note and lyric is given but there is also real Heart and Soul in this DVD. Everyone on stage appears to be very happy to be part of this celebration. At times there may have been 30 or more musicians and singers on stage! I've just finished watching this DVD today and I feel uplifted and exhilarated. It truly does deserve the 100's of 5 star ratings that have been presented by reviewers. The sound is superb, the filming was perfect, maybe I will give this a 108 star rating! If you're a fan of George's solo work or even a longtime Beatles fan you Can't miss with this DVD. Michael Palin said, "It was absolutely everyone at their peak. I think the energy there was hitting way above the levels." When you see this Dvd you'll know what he meant. Jeff Lynne and Eric Clapton were both exceptional playing and singing George's songs as well as Joe and Sam Brown. One idea I have for a Travelling Wilburys type super group would be the linking together of Jeff, Paul, Eric, and Ringo with possibly Billy Preston on keyboards, Wow!!! I'll end with a quote from an old Richard Rodgers song as my tribute to George. When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high, And don't be afraid of the dark. At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky, and the sweet silver song of a lark. Walk on through the wind and rain, though your dreams be tossed and blown. Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart, and you'll never walk alone... and you'll never walk alone..... Thanks for reading, blessings to you.... Jai Jayaraj!..... Jayaraj is Ravi Shankar's name for George and is included in Arpan, (offering) the work he wrote just for George for this occasion.

A Beautiful Farewell To The Quiet One

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!

Unreal

No question, this is the best of the best. The recording is exceptional, and just when you think it's over, Wah-Wah takes over. You will clap your hands to the beat of about 6 drummers including Ringo - a classic for you and your kids. Don't miss it.