Concert For George Soundtrack. (Us Release)

rating 4.5I like many projects George Harrison has been involved in. I remember myself seeing this when it was shown on Swedish Television, it was around the same time that I bought his début album Wonderwall Music and sophomore album Electronic Sound back then it was all produced by Harrison himself, who was eager and passionate about his projects. This 2-CD set produced by Jeff Lynne is a fitting tribute to George Harrison's musical contrbiution and to his outlook of the whole world. It is hard to rate the album of course but My main focus is on Disc one. Here we have a traditonal supplication two pieces composed by Ravi Shankar, and the inctricate, delicate “The Inner Light”. Jeff Lynne The Producer , is first to pick up the Mic, a does so with equal amount of effort and ease in a way that only he can do. The whole album is very good, but it is the Sublime nature of disc one that really submits a relaxing spiritual and ethereal feel to the listener in a way that the hit songs of Disc two never does in I had not thought that much about "The Inner Light", before that much maybe because for it was a none album single b-side, or maybe because it was from 1968, it was not from "My Beatles era" (1960-1962)I hope you really will enjoy the cleanliness smooth composition of this whole production under Jeff Lynne's modest tewardship, a true gentle man. I do not know who picked out The Inner Light to be performed by Jeff this evening but The Performance is so great and so timid, modest at the same time. This shows first of the quality of the performer Jeff Lynne, his ability to take any performing role and deliever always at a 100% with the same sense for committment as with his own albums.Those of you that got this album for Lynnes contributions will be pleased to see that his Cohorts Ryan Ulyete and Marc Mann are at it again with mixing and editing, As they did to great effect on the 12th ELO album Zoom (2001) and it's companion live DVD. Marc Mann plays guitar. It is also worth pointing out how gallantly George Harrison did take part in that said albums recording sessions, and it is to me the definite ELO album and with true touching state of the art of the production, such things are also important when one make an album of such eclectic character.They get it in order, with a special sense of warmth and a dominant feature being the mildness of the presentation all the way.So it is now established that Ravi Shankar was a tremendous composer, artist even part of that delicate ethereal feel is in every single note is shown of here on his pieces as conducted by his daughter Anoushka.I bought a boxed set,year or two ago Ravi Shankars 'Six classic Albums because Dave Crosby lead me in to this thing, if you have noticed with all back information provided from Fifth Dimension sessions, of how they listened to Shankar on one side of the tape and John Coltrane on the other, in there tour bus. Both Crosby and McGuinn were vocal about having Indian Raga rythmns and yantras in their sound without actually using Indian instruments, that is pretty brash there - that will I say and some of these efforts have helped other people here in the west to discover this kind of music also in its' purest form. When The Beatles started using sitar in 1965 on “This Bird Has Flown” it was mostely a curious artifact, quite like how Tremeloes used it on Proud Mary (Live at Cabaret) 1969. but inbetween there we had The Byrds album already mentioned and Subsequently Harrisons Debut album Wonderwall Music 1968 where Indian classical and folk music became much more than an interesting curiosity Well done, Mr Harrison I must say, he should be lauded for such an achievement.Now where was I, Worderwall Music opened up a new way for George could let out a the creativity as a composer arranger, and producer. I have read that the backing for “The Inner Light” that Jeff Lynne preforms here was in fact made during the Wonderwall sessions. George Harrison had a passion for fine solid grooves and intricate in his composing and Jeff Lynne takes it to new height because he has a certain sense for refinement.Evering runs smoothly on disc two also, but the style is somewhat more Sub dued Jeff and Dhani joins my hero Mr Nightwatchman Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers to preform "Handle With Care” while it does show of distinctive presentation of classic song, this is good version when considering it was done without Bob Dylan and Roy Orbision . Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers has a refined rythmn guitar playing and a round going Lead sound, very reminscent of The Byrds, and one can only wonder where McGuinn was during this session? I know he recorded"If I Need Someone" around the same time, it should have been his performance not Eric'sJust to set the record straight I am taken with awe for CD 1, words can not descrihe how much. It is worth infinite stars.Disc 2 is not bad. As I said the mixing editomg production, makes things tun like a well oiled machine, thus you will not even notice that these are LIVE recordings (If we forget the audience)Sir James Paul McCartney performs All Thing Must Pass, which feels a bit strange be cause As I remember it he never liked that song. I have heard when Bob Dylan sings Something from concert online somwhere, but McCartney does it here, it is easy listening in some sort of hotch potch, but with professional musicians, it is a sort of hit cavalcade. However the ethereal feel on disc 1 will never be topped.Published[Rating82612271]iso4yl Jan 24 2009 5.00 starsAlthough the video is really the way to go, this is still a fantastic listen. Echoing my comments from the video, this belongs in the time capsule with the rest of the Beatles material. It's that good, that definitive, that much in tune with what George was about. The music and vibe are of the highest order. George's spirit, and the care and love of those who were close to him, shine through every moment.

Its hard to overstate how fantastic this concert is...I have both the CD and DVD and play both repeatedly. Rarely has such a depth of emotion been expressed in a musical performance or captured on record...George's spirit permeates the whole of the proceedings and the standard of musicianship is outstanding, certainly in terms of technique but exceptionally so in terms of 'touch' or feeling. A lot of the credit must go to Clapton...he is the most emotive of guitar players and his friendship with George is expressed throughout his playing. But its in his role as a musical director and curator that he excels...he judges it to perfection. The whole album is exceptional, from the Indian section of the show through to the various ensembles that reflect George's different musical interests, so to pick out highlights is very challenging. However, I must mention Billy Preston's 'My Sweet Lord', Sam Brown's rendition of 'Horse to the Water' (only on the DVD), Paul McCartney and Clapton singing George's tribute to the woman that both he and Eric loved: 'Something', Clapton's wonderful solo on 'While my Guitar Gently Weeps', Ringo Starr's warm and heartfelt 'Photograph' and Joe Brown's heart-breaking finale 'I'll see in you in my dreams'. There were so many great moments and the following two can obviously only be seen on the DVD but I mention them in passing as you may want to purchase both: I loved the shots of the three drummers in perfect unison but above all the moment when Dhani thanked Clapton and they embraced, it was real lump-in-the-throat stuff. This is the best concert I've never been to...I wish I'd been there.

I remember trying to get a ticket to the actual concert for George, and not being able to. I knew this would be a fitting and memorable event. The lineup included a lot of his friends and former colleagues, for example Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Billy Preston, and Tom Petty. I assume the majority of people buying and istening to this CD are Beatles/George Harrison fans. I certainly fall into that category.I was moved beyond words and description by this concert. There was an immeasurable outpouring of love, although not in a cringey, gushing way, just in a way that showed the reverence he was held in by those who knew him. Although there were international superstars, nobody tried to steal the show. They were all there to remember a dearly departed friend. This just made it even more touching to hear.I find it even more poignant and heartbreaking to listen to now, with Billy Preston having passed away, and as time goes on and more and more of these friends pass on, it will get more and more special and chilling (in a goosebump-inducing way).I, of course, have favourite George songs, many of which were played here in this show. I will focus on performances; here are my favourites.In no particular order:Isn't It A Pity - Billy PrestonAll Things Must Pass - Paul McCartneyPhotograph - Ringo StarrWhile My Guitar Gently Weeps - Eric Clapton and Paul McCartneySomething - Paul McCartney and Eric ClaptonI Want To Tell You - Jeff LynneThis is honestly the best concert I have ever seen, albeit vicariously through DVD; I can only imagine the atmosphere inside the Albert Hall that night. Even a good 5 years on, it still moves me to tears and is a CD I listen to regularly with no hint of boredom. The magic is still there.

You can try to not weep when this music is playing. I don't. I weep. I only can't stand the cd1 woth the orchestra, which is to put in the bin quickly and without any remore. But the cd2 is a friend if mine Forever.