Concert for George

[JakeK]

In Dec. 2003, my grandma bought the DVD of this show for me. I haven't watched it in a long time, but am planning on it later today.

Who saw it and enjoyed it? I feel Tom Petty's "Taxman" was brilliant, especially Mike's recreation of Paul's solo!


PS: The Ric Corporate Forum was ****** there were no Rics, but John Hall said that the famous 360/12OS stood on a stand onstage with a spotlight while guests walked in.
http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum_view_ ... p=p#130246

[kiramdear]

Loved the album, but I haven't seen the DVD. I await your review, Jake.

[jch]

Great dvd ,yeah ya can see the 360 with the spotlight on it at the side of the stage.

I thought maybe Dhani would've played it a bit.

[Bosifis1]

There are a few songs I don't care for but, the Indian part was just amazing!!!

[windchimp]

One of my favorite DVDs. The Wilburys tune was fun! Lots of great tunes - some really tugged at the heartstrings.

[gregga41]

Truly overall a fantastic DVD! No mistaking who Dhanis' father was!

[lennon211]

One of the best parts of the DVD was the inclusion of the Monty Python material. George was good friends with Eric Idle, involved with their group, performed with them a few times, and also co-produced Life of Brian. It was awesome to see them come out of retirement as it were to be a part of it.

Also, I really enjoyed Joe Brown's contributions; his finale was very moving.

[xpitt]

...and to see / hear Billy Preston always gives me chicken skin... that big hammond sound and his inspired singing...

[JakeK]

I was having a lot of fun watching it last night. The best act there was probably Tom Petty or Paul McCartney. Eric Clapton could blow a soul away with his solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". His Clapton Strat through (I heard at least a fuzz pedal) God knows how many pedals through '58 reissue Tweed Twin is just amazing.

[8mileshigher]

The big disappointment of the "Concert for George" was Clapton missing the boat -- and not playing the Ric 12 string on "If I Needed Someone" (or was there possibly a sponsorship deal by Fender to supply all the gear ? like Fender UK did for the Peter Green Splinter Group ?)

Like that's George's trademark song for the Ric 12-string (from Beatles '65 and '66 tours) and yet the Ric stood there on the guitar stand under the spotlight .... an opportunity to recreate the legend, one last time in history, and the opportunity was missed... and a great song was played on another ho-hum Fender without the jingle-jangle chime that made the song what it is.

Otherwise its a great DVD and CD and I've enjoyed it often over the years.

[xpitt]

John Hall wrote on the Corporate site :

"The instrument sat on the stage by itself as people entered the event, with just a spotlight on it. As such it was the icon for George and as such was accorded the greatest honor of the evening among all instruments present. It was a strong symbol, a silent guitar ritual or missing pilot flyby if you will. Dhani Harrison told me he set that up specially. "

So it's obvious that the 12 string Rick stood for George, so who was goin' to play a Rick with this approach ?

[8mileshigher]

Thanks for the update, Alex.

That "reverence" shown for the Ric-12 definitely puts a different spin on things.....
Regards

[rickboy88]

I've had the "Concert for George" DVD for some time now, and enjoying watching it off and on. I became a big fan of "Beware of Darkness" as a result (I didn't buy "All Things Must Pass" till after I watched "Concert for George"). I almost like it better than the original.

The song selection was a nice summary of his career, but I missed "This Song" (which would have been fun to do in that setting), "Blow Away," and "What is Life". I realize that you can't do all the good ones, but I missed them.

I'd always thought it would be cool if McCartney could have played bass on "Something," but maybe it then would have also been about Paul. He did get to do the upper vocal part. The story is that he really had to sell that "busy" (and now classic) baseline to George, as George wanted something different for his song.

BTW, if you've not heard the "Thirty-Three & 1/3" album I recommend giving it a listen. After not being available for a bit, I was able to buy the CD on Amazon. It's got some strong tracks and lots of melody. The bass playing of Willie Weeks is great, especially on the opening track "Woman Don't Cry for Me". It also contains "This Song" & "Crackerbox Palace". Some of the songs are gems that were forgotten about after the late 60's and dusted off.

[tennis_nick]

So it's obvious that the 12 string Rick stood for George, so who was goin' to play a Rick with this approach ?

I think having a Rickenbacker BE George is a bigger honor than having one of his friends play one.

[apollo11]

I've had the "Concert for George" DVD for some time now, and enjoying watching it off and on. I became a big fan of "Beware of Darkness" as a result (I didn't buy "All Things Must Pass" till after I watched "Concert for George"). I almost like it better than the original.

The studio version of Beware of Darkness is one of my favorite tracks of George's career, Beatles or Solo. He has never sung better than on this song, IMO. In fact, one of my favorite vocal parts of any song, ever, is when he sings on the second verse.... Beware of sadness.....It can hit you---lead in starts at about 1:18. His vocal is incredible in its strength and conviction during the "It can hit you" part. Breathtaking. This small, 4 word section has a Dylanesque quality to it. His true feelings come out throughout this song, which you can feel in his vocals. T

Concert for George is one of the best concert videos I've see, as well. Wonderful, and a true testament to who George was and what he meant to his friends and fans.