Concert for George
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Free Music Notes for Concert for George
Free Music Review: CRY FOR A SHADOW
Hit: 5 Stars
When John Lennon died, I was angry. When I got in my car on that cold winter day I heard on the radio that George Harrison died, I cried all the way on the twenty-minute journey. We knew it was coming. Still, Harrison's passing hit me hard.Back in the day (the 1960's), you could tell a lot about a person by who his favorite Beatle was. My favorite was George. There was just something about his presence in those public appearances that I could identify with. It turns out my future wife also was a big fan of Harrison's. Hard to say why. Harrison's song output was usually only one or two songs for each Beatles album. John and Paul were usually more talkative. But George was the one I felt closest to. When he died part of my life slipped away.
So I cannot be objective about this album. I love it like an old photograph of my grandparents who are also long gone. And that is not a bad way to view this album, an act of love of Harrison's "family" to his memory.
The album consists of two discs. The first disc is a small homage to George's love of Indiana music. As such, most will give it one listen and forget it which is a shame because rarely do we get such a fine presentation of Eastern music in one setting. It should be given more than a couple of chances. Harrison himself was drawn to this music and devoted a lot of time toward it. It gives the listener a little view into Harrison's life beyond the hype and celebrity roller coaster of events and press releases.
The second disc presents us with the Harrison we thought we knew. All the way from the early Beatles to the solo artist to the Traveling Wilburys, the expanse of Harrison's songwriting comes in for a decent selection. Of course, the actual performances are the thing.
In this regard, one has to admire Eric Clapton for setting the tone and standard for the evening's proceedings. Clapton is a constant presence on stage taking the lead on much of concert with his vocals and outstanding guitar work. Jeff Lynne also has to be respected for his input. Lynne is not a welcome musician in a lot of reviews-but he always did well toward Harrison and turns in an excellent version of "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)".
I have to confess that I don't know who Joe Brown is except I have read his name on various album credits over the years. I gather he is something of an institution in the United Kingdom. In any event, Mr. Brown lends a note of grace and warmth with his low-key performances of "Here Comes The Sun" and "That's The Way It Goes".
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in contrast seem a little weak and "under powered" with "Taxman" and "I Need You". It is not until the last half of "I Need You" that Tom and the band hit their stride. I have no doubt that Petty very much wanted to be there; but I was surprised to be disappointed with his set.
After a brief "Handle With Care" by the Petty, Lynne and Dhani Harrison, the concert takes us to the closest thing we will ever get as far as a Beatles reunion these days. Ringo comes on to remind us of George's contributions toward Ringo's own solo work and Harrison's love for Carl Perkins. Then McCartney hits the stage.
There was a real potential for McCartney to overwhelm the festivities by virtue of his presence. But to his credit, McCartney submerges his charm into the performances of some of Harrison's best work.
But a special note has to be made of Billy Preston. Preston plays support throughout most of the evening, but then he takes lead on "Isn't It A Pity" and "My Sweet Lord". It is on the later that Preston really shines. Over the years, Preston has romanced "My Sweet Lord" to the point that it has become truly his. His performance is one of the best of the entire concert. Perhaps only second to McCartney's satisfying rendition of "Something".
In the end the question remains for this tribute album that is with every tribute album: why buy this when you can get real thing. After all, Harrison's albums are hardly out of print. The answer is this album marks an event where musicians who really knew and worked with Harrison came together to celebrate his life and play his music. In other words, this is a tribute album that really does pay tribute to the memory of one who really did help shape the world we live in now. George Harrison deserved no less.
Free Music Review: I'll See You In My Dreams.
Hit: 5 Stars
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.
Free Music Review: A Loving Farewell From the Material World
Hit: 5 Stars
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.
Free Music Review: Eric Paul George and Ringo
Hit: 5 Stars
Listening, and re-listening, to the Concert for George has been meaningful to me. I'm a few years shy of forty, so was not around for Beatle mania, but have always been a fan of the Beatles, and George Harrison was always my favorite solo Beatle artist. I own every album he made, and even a bootleg or two. While I am not Hindu, I appreciate his quest for God and meaning. And while his solo work is uneven in quality, a listen to all of his albums in a row still leaves me impressed with his ability and talent. I miss him.
Concert for George is an excellent tribute to George Harrison, bringing to me his most remembered music. One highlight is "Something", done by Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton. It is one of the few times I have heard a Beatle song done in a different way without it being diminished. I also loved hearing the Traveling Wilburys, (most of the survivors, but with Dani Harrison and without Bob Dylan) sing "Handle with Care". A personal highlight was listening to "I need you", which I had not paid that much attention to before. I did not purchase Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison as I had all of the original music and did not think that it overall improved on the songs I love. Concert for George is different. It adds to George Harrison's music without detracting from it.
If there is any weakness to the album, it is only my personal choices as to what was George Harrison's best music. Concert for George, like the Live in Japan album, does not include anything from 33 & 1/3, which not counting All Things Must Pass was arguably his best album of the 1970s "This Song", "Crackerbox Palace" "Woman Don't Cry for Me", or especially the lovely "Beautiful Girl" would have made excellent contributions to the memorial album. Instead, we are treated to a likable version of "That's the Way it Goes", from one of George's weakest albums, Gone Troppo. To me, it is obvious that the song does not represent George's best, and its inclusion among his other work shows this.
Probably the other critique I'd make is might arouse controversy. It was wonderful to see both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr on stage together. Paul adds by being understated throughout the evening, but I'm not sure Ringo adds much. I have been listening to his All-Starr albums since the early 1990s, and he usually sings the same material on each. ironicaly after years of this, it seems that what now makes an All-Starr album interesting is not Ringo, but rather his guest stars. Relying on his rather limited musical talent, he sings two All-Starr standards "Photograph" and "Honey Don't". They both really don't have very much to do with George, and Ringo is the only one who has to explain his songs before he sings them, so they fit in context with the rest of the music.
The critiques aside, I recommend this album. It succeeds in paying tribute to a musician with a deeper side who kept his quest for God foremost, and who didn't sell out to try and sell albums. I appreciate Eric Clapton and George's other friends for giving George, and his fans, a remarkable evening.
Free Music Review: Hauntingly beautiful
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a concert that will absolutely break your heart and move you if you love George Harrison or the Beatles. It is lovingly produced and as emotional as anything I have ever heard relating to any of the Beatles. I've listened to it many times and still am not weary of it, and I doubt any of you will be.There are so many wonderfully poignant moments, Clapton singing "If I Needed Someone," Joe Brown singing "Here Comes The Sun," etc. When McCartney is singing "For You Blue" it is marvelous.
Clapton is magnificent and understated. He plays lead guitar only once throughout the entire concert, and that is appropriately on "White My Guitar Gently Weeps." He sings lead on a few Beatles tracks, but lays back most of the concert, careful not to overshadow the moment or the memory. Jeff Lynne also does a fine job. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers sing "Taxman" and "I Need You," but one wishes Eric would have taken over both those songs.
The applause when Ringo appears is deafening and the infectious way he sings "Photograph" and "Honey Don't" will have you clapping your hands and smiling all over. It must be impossible not to adore Ringo.
And what about Paul? He took so much needless criticism for his appearence here. Many discussions and reviewers claimed he was petulant that Clapton overshadowed him, that his applause wasn't as loud as Ringo's and countless other nit-pickings. I've watched Paul all my life and rarely have I seen him as moved, teary-eyed and emotional as he was this evening. He packed his ego away and did George and the fans proud. Watch Paul as he strums the ukelele while singing "Something." It's obvious he is struggling not to break down and cry. Clapton later said "Paul was never close to George," but Eric is wrong. From 1957-1967 they were very close and Paul knows this. The scenes with Paul are my favorites, he acquits himself beautifully. His version of "All Things Must Pass" is absolutely brilliant.
While no fan of Ravi's music, even this Indian segments are moving and move along at a rapid clip. Another highlight is Billy Preston belting out the second chorus of one of George's masterpieces, "Isn't it a Pity."
I can's say enough superlatives about this album. All George and Beatles fans will cherish this concert.