Concert For George

Thank you, Eric Clapton, for giving us the blessing of this beautiful and moving concert in honor of George. I grew up listening to the Beatles, and always had a particular affection for George and Ringo, the two 'stabilizing' members of the band. I always appreciated George's quiet consideration before speaking, and his thoughtfulness and the fundamental goodness of his heart. When George died, I was deeply saddened like many millions of others, and thought that no tribute or monument could ever do him justice.I was wrong. The Concert for George, primarily organized by his long time friend Eric Clapton, provided just the catharsis that his friends and fans needed. The CD was hard for me to listen to the first time as I wanted to hear George singing. Eric said it best in an interview, though, when he explained that at first rehearsals were tough to get through, but the rehearsals and show provided a mechanism of grieving to all his personal friends. That explained it brilliantly: They had time to work through it, while the listener did not. (Who says rock stars can't be truly insightful?) The musicians obviously worked very hard to get this just right and they succeeded brilliantly: this CD beautifully captures their efforts.There are two CDs in the set, one is the Indian music segment, which was a good commercial decision (although George liked Indian music, and I respect that, I would bet than most of the purchasers of this CD are less enthusiastic about it) and the other is the concert in the original order, minus some material to make it fit on the CD. Ringo was a standout with "Photograph", which is still the best Ringo song, and a song that Ringo and George wrote together, and "Honey Don't", an old Carl Perkins song that George loved. Eric Clapton was wonderful on everything he performed on; I particularly liked his pseudo-duet with Paul on "Something", and with the whole ensemble on "Wah Wah", which had breathtaking percussion, and, of course, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", a song veritably made for him.Without question though, the greatest performance in the show was by Joe Brown, a major institution in early British rock, but today relatively unknown in the US. Joe's main set started with a hauntingly beautiful rendition of "Here Comes the Sun", and then went to "That's The Way It Goes", a song I have always loved, but never got the acclaim it deserved. Joe also closed the show with the dreamy "I'll See You in My Dreams", and he sang it like he meant it. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the beautiful "Isn't It a Pity" by the multitalented Billy Preston.There were a couple of weaker performances present, though. None that were overtly bad, but they certainly were not up to the standards of the rest of the show. The primary offenders here were Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, who are normally great, but came across as lifeless and flat. I also found Jeff Lynne's voice to sound a bit tired, especially when he sang a verse of "Wah Wah" and to a lesser degree on "The Inner Light." I (really) hate to say it, but I also found Paul's version of "For You Blue" a bit dull. I think it's interesting that Paul picked a song of George's from "Let It Be", an album where tempers ran high and contentiousness prevailed; perhaps that has clouded my vision a bit on the subject.For any fan of George's this is a must. I never thought that I could like this CD as much as I do since I knew I would miss hearing George on the songs. After a few listenings, though, I now feel happy when I hear it, and have found it to be a fitting tribute to a great man. While we will always miss you, George, I will always be grateful for this beautiful and befitting tribute.I'll see you in my dreams.

From the opening track, Sarve Shaam with its wonderful intonation of bells, sarod and hypnotic voices and Eric Clapton's introduction until its conclusion on the second disc with Joe Brown's wonderful "I'll See You In My Dreams," this set is as wonderful a remembrance any man could hope for from his friends and loved ones.Olivia makes it clear in the notes that George, the quiet one, was in fact full of life, pursuing his marriage and family with the same intensity and respect that he treated his career, all the while retaining the playfulness that set he and his Liverpool colleagues off from everyone else ever in rock. When you consider that this man is one of the 4 reasons anybody ever wanted to be a rock musician, you might think you were approaching the sacred. In fact, as is clear from his friends, he is someone they went to to play ukeleles with as well as to worship or garden with.He was a whole man. His music in his Beatles, solo, Travelling Wilbury and final days was always about life led on the ground, in the material world, yet not bound by it. It was Harrison who first saw the difference between Haight Ashbury and enlightnement. It was Harrison who realized his tremendous good fortune could be harnessed to work remarkably good things for less fortunate people. He respected what his craft could accomplish and was a selfless, ego-free spirit who could race cars, produce silly movies and prove loyal to family and friends. He was Everyman who had come into good fortune and knew not to take it for granted.As to the music herein: it is just GREAT! His mates came to this project with great love and respect for their fallen comrade. Ravi and Anoushka Shankar get the project off and running with a couple of sitar pieces and a terrific rendition of "The Inner Light". One is reminded of the start of THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH, and its tremendous setting of a tone of consideration. Much the same effect is produced here. It anchors you in the spiritual world that Harrison embraced.The second side essays his pop work. Wilbury buddy Lynne kicks things off with "I Want To Tell You," and the CD rocks from that point on. The emotional centerpiece is Ringo's "Photograph." Tough to listen to that without getting misty. It is absolutely the best Ringo's ever done that. Paul kicks in with a very bright and emotionally uplifting "Something" that comes from the heart, as well as the uke. He returns with Clapton to blisteringly deliver "While My Guitar," nearly as transcendent as "Bangla Desh's" version. Tom Petty is just the right touch, especially on "Handle With Care," handled with Dhani Harrison, as sure a chip off the old bloke as you might get. Dad must have been beaming! Billy Preston ecstatically revels in "My Sweet Lord," then Clapton burns it up again on "Wah Wah," which was a reference to him anyway, before Joe Brown sends it all off lovingly.The son of a Catholic busdriver and Nurse in Liverpool who often said he was sure he would never have amounted to anything had it not been for The Beatles, obviously took from his parents a sense of finding a spirituality to guide his life. That he touched so many of his colleagues as all of us as always and forever being the genuine article says all there needs to be said about the importance of living in the material world with a sense of faith.

I enjoyed watching the concert on public television but did not want to pay their price