On the one-year anniversary of his death (November 29, 2002), fans and friends of George Harrison gathered at London’s Royal Albert Hall for a grand musical tribute.   Old pal Eric Clapton served as official host, along with George’s wife Olivia and son Dhani.   Familiar guests included Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Jeff Lynne, Gary Brooker, Jools Holland, Billy Preston and a couple of Liverpool lads who made good – Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney.   Additional all-star players shuffled on and off the stage during the fabulous performance – guitarists Albert Lee and Andy Fairweather-Low, sax men Jim Horn and Tom Scott, percussionist extraordinaire Ray Cooper, drummers Jim Capaldi and Jim Keltner, keyboardist Chris Stainton, bassist Klaus Voorman, and a whole bunch of Indian musicians led by Ravi Shankar & daughter Anoushka.   The DVD also features a couple of famous skits by Monty Python (George always loved those wackos).

The Concert for George was a well-rehearsed and efficient show – not overly sentimental, but still a labor of love.   Hearing these guys play his music was a big treat and it showcased just how good those songs were.   Highlights include McCartney & Clapton performing “Something”, then the excellent “All Things Must Pass”, followed by “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.   The Traveling Wilbury’s tune “Handle With Care” was extra good – fellow Wilburians Petty sung George’s part and Lynne sung Orbison’s part.   Very nice.   Ringo came out and sang “Photograph” and “Honey Don’t” and it was evident that he & George shared a special kinship.  Still groovin’ Billy Preston (the Afro-Beatle) offered up “Isn’t It A Pity” and “My Sweet Lord”.   And the stage was packed as Clapton led a rollicking version of “Wah Wah”.   Totally awesome.   One of the real surprises of the show was a guy named Joe Brown, who had been something of a pop star in England in the very early sixties.   As it turns out, the pre-fame Beatles opened for him on a few occasions in those days.   Joe serenades the crowd with a letter-perfect “Here Comes the Sun” and later with a touching version of “I’ll See You In My Dreams” (as glitter falls from the ceiling).   It’s a nice send-off for the overall harmonious night.   Watching Dhani on stage with all his “show-biz uncles” was enjoyable and anyone who remembers the early days (It’s been 40 years this week since the first Ed Sullivan appearance!) remembers George looking just like that.  

The Concert for George is available as a two-disk DVD or a single disk soundtrack CD.   The visuals make the show however.   Watch it on the big screen!        GD