Concert For George--Your Thoughts?
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I really enjoyed the concert more than I thought I would when I first saw it. I think McCartney was great doing a song he rarely does, I kind of wish he would replace SOMETHING with ALL THINGS MUST PASS, at least for some shows, to mix things up. Dhani was fine, IMO. He was much younger, and I think George would appreciate his son on stage. I think it was symbolic rather than sonic! Tom Petty doing I NEED YOU gave me a new appreciation for that song, Petty's plaintive vocal was perfect. I liked Clapton's and Lynne's tributes, it would be hard for just about anyone to match McCartney's vocals. All in all, a splendid time!
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The "yukes" kind of look like a joke...I wish they hadn't done that. I don't know why GH became so fond of them as you never saw them "pulled out" during the Beatles' era. A yuke to me has aways been a bit of a comedic instrument.
George often said in his interviews that he was only a Beatle for so many years...he had an entire life after the Beatles. What difference did it make when he started with yukes? Paul even does a tribute to George with a yuke that George actually gave him.
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And here are some thoughts as to why Dylan was not there:
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I was just curious as to when he started to play it and how he got turned on to it. I can't say that I'm a big fan of songs played on them.
oobu24:
The "yukes" kind of look like a joke...I wish they hadn't done that. I don't know why GH became so fond of them as you never saw them "pulled out" during the Beatles' era. A yuke to me has aways been a bit of a comedic instrument.
George often said in his interviews that he was only a Beatle for so many years...he had an entire life after the Beatles. What difference did it make when he started with yukes? Paul even does a tribute to George with a yuke that George actually gave him.
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RMartinez:
I think McCartney was great doing a song he rarely does, I kind of wish he would replace SOMETHING with ALL THINGS MUST PASS, at least for some shows, to mix things up.
I agree with your sentiments. I would have really loved to have heard Macca sing a standard version of Something w/o the yuke, but maybe he considers it to be George's "signature song" as in he shouldn't sing it...IDK. I still think it would have been a wonderful tribute had he sung it with guitar.
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Erik in NJ:
RMartinez:
I think McCartney was great doing a song he rarely does, I kind of wish he would replace SOMETHING with ALL THINGS MUST PASS, at least for some shows, to mix things up.
I agree with your sentiments. I would have really loved to have heard Macca sing a standard version of Something w/o the yuke, but maybe he considers it to be George's "signature song" as in he shouldn't sing it...IDK. I still think it would have been a wonderful tribute had he sung it with guitar.
Yeah, I can do without the uke. Seems instruments from the late 1800s and early 1900s are in vogue, ie bands with banjos and uptight basses. I like acoustic and electric guitars, and an electric bass!
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Just a few quick comments as short of time tonight. But i'd like to say as someone who was lucky enough to be there that night (14th row in the middle on the floor!) *everyone* there that night was blown away, it was the most happy and warm celebratory atmosphere you could imagine.. despite it being to mark George's death - it was to celebrate his life, and you could feel the warmth in that room. I got tickets because of Paul and Ringo, but once that show started it really wouldn't have mattered if they were there or not - it was amazing. You could feel George in the room, it didnt matter if Paul or Ringo turned up - it was for him. The Python skit went down brilliantly - who wouldn't love that... the show was in 2 halves btw with a long interval inbetween, it didn't go straight from the indian music into python and the rock stuff, there was at least half an hour gap. Python was a great fun was to start the 2nd act. Tom Petty and Jeff doing Handle with care was one of the standouts, but it was all amazing, it really really was. Joe Brown doing ill see you in my dreams may seem a starnge ending, but Joe was one of georges best friends, and playing Georges favourite song, as thousands of petals fell from the ceiling all over us, as the show ended.. Olivia was in tears, it was special. I haven't watched the dvd often as i don't feel it captures the feel of the night, but even so surely people watch it and are blown away by the tribute to George. (I do know someone on a different forum i used to be on that had a seat behind the stage ih the choir section, and could look right down on Paul at the piano, and always remember him saying though that when Paul was meant to be playing along with everyone else towards the end (ie my sweet lord and wah wah) he wasn't playing and looked very upset and awkward kind of moving his hands a bit. I think it's well known that Paul has said he felt intimidated being surrounded by people who spent much more time with george the final 30 years than he did, but that he was honoured to be there.) (So much for me not saying much!!!! sorry!) (And this may be full of typos - i apologise - my hand is slightly numb!)
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Maybe the harpsichord too will be making a comeback!
Sadly the electric guitar seems to be fading from our popular music in favor of the ubiquitous synth. -
Eeee Cor Blimey:
Just a few quick comments as short of time tonight. But i'd like to say as someone who was lucky enough to be there that night (14th row in the middle on the floor!) *everyone* there that night was blown away, it was the most happy and warm celebratory atmosphere you could imagine.. despite it being to mark George's death - it was to celebrate his life, and you could feel the warmth in that room. I got tickets because of Paul and Ringo, but once that show started it really wouldn't have mattered if they were there or not - it was amazing. You could feel George in the room, it didnt matter if Paul or Ringo turned up - it was for him. The Python skit went down brilliantly - who wouldn't love that... the show was in 2 halves btw with a long interval inbetween, it didn't go straight from the indian music into python and the rock stuff, there was at least half an hour gap. Tom Petty and Jeff doing Handle with care was one of the standouts, but it was all amazing, it really really was. Joe Brown doing ill see you in my dreams may seem a starnge ending, but Joe was one of georges best friends, and playing Georges favourite song, as thousands of petals fell from the ceiling all over us, as the show ended.. Olivia was in tears, it was special. I haven't watched the dvd often as i don't feel it captures the feel of the night, but even so surely people watch it and are blown away by the tribute to George. (I do know someone on a different forum i used to be on that had a seat behind the stage ih the choir section, and could look right down on Paul at the piano, and always remember him saying though that when Paul was meant to be playing along with everyone else towards the end (ie not his own singing song) he wasn't playing and looked very upset and awkward kind of moving his hands a bit. I think it's well known that Paul has said he felt intimidated being surrounded by people who spent much more time with george the final 30 years than he did, but that he was honoured to be there.) (So much for me not saying much!!!! sorry!) (And this may be full of typos - i apologise - my hand is slightly numb!)
Very cool you got to go to that show! Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Eeee Cor Blimey:
Just a few quick comments as short of time tonight. But i'd like to say as someone who was lucky enough to be there that night (14th row in the middle on the floor!) *everyone* there that night was blown away, it was the most happy and warm celebratory atmosphere you could imagine.. despite it being to mark George's death - it was to celebrate his life, and you could feel the warmth in that room. I got tickets because of Paul and Ringo, but once that show started it really wouldn't have mattered if they were there or not - it was amazing. You could feel George in the room, it didnt matter if Paul or Ringo turned up - it was for him. The Python skit went down brilliantly - who wouldn't love that... the show was in 2 halves btw with a long interval inbetween, it didn't go straight from the indian music into python and the rock stuff, there was at least half an hour gap. Python was a great fun was to start the 2nd act. Tom Petty and Jeff doing Handle with care was one of the standouts, but it was all amazing, it really really was. Joe Brown doing ill see you in my dreams may seem a starnge ending, but Joe was one of georges best friends, and playing Georges favourite song, as thousands of petals fell from the ceiling all over us, as the show ended.. Olivia was in tears, it was special. I haven't watched the dvd often as i don't feel it captures the feel of the night, but even so surely people watch it and are blown away by the tribute to George. (I do know someone on a different forum i used to be on that had a seat behind the stage ih the choir section, and could look right down on Paul at the piano, and always remember him saying though that when Paul was meant to be playing along with everyone else towards the end (ie my sweet lord and wah wah) he wasn't playing and looked very upset and awkward kind of moving his hands a bit. I think it's well known that Paul has said he felt intimidated being surrounded by people who spent much more time with george the final 30 years than he did, but that he was honoured to be there.) (So much for me not saying much!!!! sorry!) (And this may be full of typos - i apologise - my hand is slightly numb!)
Very well said.
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RMartinez:
Very cool you got to go to that show! Thanks for sharing your experience.
^ cheers! it was fab! (you quoted my post so quickly that i'd made some edits and added some bits before then!)
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Erik in NJ:
Putting that Monty Python skit right after the Indian musicians was very disrespectful to them as their music is so serious. I know George liked them, but it was in poor taste the way the acts were sequenced. From very somber to the absurd in the blink of an eye.
Erik, i disagree with pretty much all of your post, but i'll just quote this bit to save time(!) - please read my post and you'll see that there was a 30 minute gap between the indian music and the pythons, it was act one then act two. The Python stuff was a perfect way to lift the mood for part 2 of the show. If you had read about the concert before commenting rather than just watch the dvd maybe you'd have known. And i don't mean this disrespectfully.. i honestly don't.. but for someone making so many threads and doing so many posts lately it really surprises me you know so little of things past... i mean we're all new fans sometime i guess, but you seem so vocal about things you know very little about - there are plently of sites around to read and learn from! But anyones opinion is valid i guess, so peace to all and gnight!!!
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These are the types of inflammatory posts that moderators should remove immediately from the forum as they are toxic. Aside from that, why don't you go ahead and list all of the topics of which I post that I know little about? Or are you just blowing wind in order to get in a cheap shot? Ok so I didn't read that there was "at least" 30 minutes between the somber Indian music which is revered as or close to being religious and grown men singing about sitting on faces, 69ing and, showing us their flabby naked aged butts. Well that changes everything don't it gov??
(bear in mind gov that I like Python a *lot* along with folks like your countrywoman Catherine Tate-- it was the sequencing I felt could have been done better) Sorry, my opinion stands and I await a more factual reply than the modicum of fact and bouquet of insults you provided. By the way, just to set the record straight, although I'm new to this board, my love of the Beatles goes back to the 60s. -
Because of this thread, I went and watched some of this concert, and I must say, Paul looks great! I think that haircut really suited him then. It might just suit him today as well!
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Erik in NJ:
These are the types of inflammatory posts that moderators should remove immediately from the forum as they are toxic. Aside from that, why don't you go ahead and list all of the topics of which I post that I know little about? Or are you just blowing wind in order to get in a cheap shot? Ok so I didn't read that there was "at least" 30 minutes between the somber Indian music which is revered as or close to being religious and grown men singing about sitting on faces, 69ing and, showing us their flabby naked aged butts. Well that changes everything don't it gov??
Sorry, my opinion stands and I await a more factual reply than the modicum of fact and bouquet of insults you provided. By the way, just to set the record straight, although I'm new to this board, my love of the Beatles goes back to the 60s. Sorry Jack I'm just not up for a p*ssing contest with the likes of you!what? seriously?
"inflammatory posts"?????? "toxic"????? i wasn't meaning anything nasty, i just genuinely took your bit by bit tear apart of the concert as a bit much, that's all. And corrected you on the pythons bit. I geuninely thought you were a new fan, that's all. Anyone who has read my pots on this board knows i am not a sh*t stirrer and that was no at all my intention, so i am not going to get into some slanging match with you. Goodnight. -
Look, if you disagree with elements of my post and want to debate them, fine, but statements like this: "...but for someone making so many threads and doing so many posts lately it really surprises me you know so little of things past... i mean we're all new fans sometime i guess, but you seem so vocal about things you know very little about - there are plently of sites around to read and learn from! " come across as condescending, uninformed, and rude, and add nothing to the thread or forum. RM disagreed with parts of my review, but did so in a factual manner and we had a civil and interesting exchange. Even though I have my opinion, I can see certain things from his point of view. Enough said.
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RMartinez:
Because of this thread, I went and watched some of this concert, and I must say, Paul looks great! I think that haircut really suited him then. It might just suit him today as well!
It was a good look--he looked great and as others have said, laid back a bit to give the multitude of other musicians room. Less is more in cases like this and musicians need to know when not to play just as well as when to in many cases. You know your stuff and I'm sure you are already well aware without me even saying
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Erik in NJ:
I was just curious as to when he started to play it and how he got turned on to it. I can't say that I'm a big fan of songs played on them.
oobu24:
The "yukes" kind of look like a joke...I wish they hadn't done that. I don't know why GH became so fond of them as you never saw them "pulled out" during the Beatles' era. A yuke to me has aways been a bit of a comedic instrument.
George often said in his interviews that he was only a Beatle for so many years...he had an entire life after the Beatles. What difference did it make when he started with yukes? Paul even does a tribute to George with a yuke that George actually gave him.
George Formby.
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moptops:
Erik in NJ:
I was just curious as to when he started to play it and how he got turned on to it. I can't say that I'm a big fan of songs played on them.
oobu24:
The "yukes" kind of look like a joke...I wish they hadn't done that. I don't know why GH became so fond of them as you never saw them "pulled out" during the Beatles' era. A yuke to me has aways been a bit of a comedic instrument.
George often said in his interviews that he was only a Beatle for so many years...he had an entire life after the Beatles. What difference did it make when he started with yukes? Paul even does a tribute to George with a yuke that George actually gave him.
George Formby.
Yes that is the name!
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Erik in NJ:
I thought it was a bit like a mini Concert for Bangladesh, though less heady in terms of musical performances performed in their hey-day. Overall a very enjoyable concert both musically and visually. I loved the Indian music and Ravi's daughter is not only very attactive, but also very talented. I have liked Ravi's music for years thanks to GH! Thanks George. I thought that Olivia and Dhani really missed an opportunity to speak about George...it's amazing how little they had to say about him--I think that would have been very interesting as we don't really know them and seeing GH thru their eyes would have been a treat! Clapton as well could have had more to say since he was running the gig...it was a bit like Concert For Eric at times, I think he should have marginalized himself more. Certainly he knew George well and could have shared some great stories with us. Was that Patti Boyd/Cynthia Lennon on stage later on towards the end? (big blonde woman). Any idea who that woman was? Tom Petty was a breath of fresh air--his lead guitarist nailed Taxman...that guy's awesome on guitar! Why the heck didn't Dylan show up?? I don't care for him much, but it would have been appropriate. What about Leon Russell, Bonnie & Delaney Bramlett?? Geeze there were so many Bangladesh veterans and Apple musicians that should have been there. It'd be interesting to find out if they were invited or turned it down. What the heck was Jim Capaldi (old Clapton pal from Blind Faith?) doing there? Don't get me wrong, I love Blind Faith, but I'm not aware of any connection between him and GH. Eric should have invited Ginger too! Nice to see good ol' Billy Preston there--he still looked good and sounded well. His style is a bit different, but he has a long history with the Beatles. Would have been nice to hear more of his keyboards. No introduction of the people on stage?? I didn't even know who several were! I know at Bangladesh, GH introduced the musicians, and Eric really should have done it here--this was a big oversight as far as I'm concerned. E.g., not everyone knows what Klaus Voorman looks like these days. What about Julian Lennon? Surely he must have had a connection to GH, no? Oh and Thank God Yoko wasn't there!! I'd love to know why
I can certainly understand Dhani Harrison wanting to take part as I too have sadly lost my Dad, but you could have just put a cardboard cutout with a guitar there and it would have had the same effect musically! No one could hear his acoustic guitar! It would have been nice if he'd learned a couple licks to solo with--he seems like he plays guitar even though you can tell he's not a professional caliber musician. Not just picking on Dhani here, there were several musicians up there that added no real value to the concert as they were not showcased and their volumes turned way down or off. How many drummers did they have including Ringo...3 or 4?? This got to be a bit absurd. I'm not sure why Ringo always needs at least a second drummer next to him--he can still play from what I can tell--he's a "big star" man...put him up front! Ringo's speech was nice, would have liked to hear more and maybe seen his drum kit moved away from the other drummers and nearer the front. That tambourine guy played a mean tambourine! 
: Another cardboard cutout The two backing vocal women dressed like they were in a Vegas show is something Clapton always has with him to thicken is vocals--it's a bit pathetic to see and watch with their 70s hip swaying like wind in the banana trees...OK thanks gals, here's your 20 quid. Cheers! Seriously, do we really need this and then to have the camera continually cut to them?? Paul was too marginalized in the performance. His vocals are head and shoulders over Clapton's and Lynn's, he would have been a welcome addition to perform on a couple more Beatles tunes. Poor guy, you could tell he wanted to play more. Well he was a class act as usual and I think he was really the highlight of the show--it just changed everything when we walked onto the stage. Putting that Monty Python skit right after the Indian musicians was very disrespectful to them as their music is so serious. I know George liked them, but it was in poor taste the way the acts were sequenced. From very somber to the absurd in the blink of an eye. The "yukes" kind of look like a joke...I wish they hadn't done that. I don't know why GH became so fond of them as you never saw them "pulled out" during the Beatles' era. A yuke to me has aways been a bit of a comedic instrument. Choice of songs was pretty good--they don't really have that many to choose from. Clapton did a very nice version of Beware of Darkness. I think doing that mediocre song "Wah Wah" written about Paul was kind of disrespectful to Paul--Clapton (the musical director), Olivia (the executive producer), and Dhani probably didn't have a clue though. There were some obvious choices that were missed like "What Is Life" and "Apple Scruffs" which would have had a double meaning and been fun. Certainly "Crackerbox Palace" should have been done, WTF?? The pictures of George were quite nicely displayed and I think overall it was a very nice show--just not epic. I enjoyed the interviews on the second disc esp. with Clapton saying "sometimes you'd think you were doing George a big favor only to find out he didn't like it...he might have said 'I didn't really want a show like that', etc." I'm sure it was tough to put a show like that together so kudos to Eric for pulling it off. I'm just being an armchair quarterback and providing my honest feedback on the show, so please take it for what it's worth before flaming me I'll add more feedback as I think of it (or have to defend my words) They were very close mates.
