Back in 2002 a number of George Harrison’s favorite collaborators gathered at the behest of Eric Clapton and Harrison’s widow Olivia to pay tribute to “The Quiet One” and the resulting concert featured one memorable performance after another. Concert For George took place at Royal Albert Hall in London on November 29, 2002 – the first anniversary of the former Beatle’s passing. Last month Concert For George finally came out on a Blu-Ray release that includes the entire show plus interviews with the performers, rehearsals and behind-the-scenes footage.
Following performances by Anoushka Shankar that opened Concert For George, the show offered a light-hearted note George would’ve been proud of when members of Monty Python performed Sit On Your Face along with The Lumberjack Song. A house band made up of legendary musicians such as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Clapton, Jeff Lynne and Jools Holland played a selection of Harrison-written songs for the rest of the show with different performers taking turns leading them. Highlights from Concert For George included Eric Clapton’s soaring solo in While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ version of Taxman and Macca’s vocals on All Things Must Pass.
As part of our Everybody Wins When We Plug Something And In Return They Offer Us Free Shit To Give Away program, we’ve got a special Concert For George prize pack for one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment below telling us about your favorite Harrison-penned tune and you’ll be entered to win the new Blu-Ray release, a t-shirt, the original concert program and a 2-CD set. Bear in mind, those found entering more than once will be tarred and feathered. All entries must be received by Monday, May 9th, at 11:59PM EDT. We’ll pick the winner randomly shortly thereafter. Good luck!
43 Responses
Badge. Co-write with good old EC. Reminds me of simpler times that included Cream’s greatest hits on cassette, an ’85 Buick Century in splendid disrepair, and many, many late night tryps to lower Manahattan. Long live McGoverns. Thinkin’ ’bout the times I drove in that car…
It is by far While My Guitar Gently Weeps…….the guitar solo is just seductive……..although I do love me some Wah Wah!
WMGGW is such a wonderful song. Long Live George!
What is life – I first discovered it on the goodfellas soundtrack
All Things Must Pass. Such a beautiful song.
Give me Love – beautiful and inspiring song like most of George’s song writing. Has brought me a lot of comfort and solace in recent years especially.
I, Me, Mine because it really reflected what was going on at the time in the Beatles, but is still applicable today in so many ways to business and general life and friendships.
It’s been a long long long time,
How could I ever have lost you
When I loved you.
It took a long long long time
Now I’m so happy I found you
How I love you
So many tears I was searching,
So many tears I was wasting, oh. Oh–
Now I can see you, be you
How can I ever misplace you
How I want you
Oh I love you
You know that I need you.
Ooh I love you.
Chills.
Within you without you. Love that trippy sound.
Savoy Truffle!
Here Comes The Sun. Or maybe For Your Blue.
I’ve gotta go w/”My Sweet Lord.” George is my dad’s favorite Beatle and it’s one of the first George songs I remember him playing in the car when I was a kid.
Beware of Darkness!!!
It changes often but at the moment I’d say Any Road. I’ve always loved the lyrics to that song.
Many favorites but the one that still rings loudest in the memory bank is My Sweet Lord .. 1973, the idea of a song for your pet emerges from stoned conversation and after a lot of weird sh*t, someone breaks out the tune My Sweet Dog and it was all over…..
“Something.” One of the greatest songs ever written.
Something
played it on acoustic for my wife at our wedding reception just prior to the first dance
For me it would be Isn’t It A Pity. A heartwrenching song about a busted friendship, which I believe was directed at John and Paul at the time. Nevertheless a beautiful, rueful song.
Here Comes The Sun
I listened to it shortly after my mom died, and it helped me through some very tough times.
I’m going to go with “It Don’t Come Easy” – yes it was (and still is) a Ringo song, but it was actually written by George for him. Same with “Photograph”. How about rewarding that knowledge with the prize !
I like If I Needed Someone ALOT….
Love this whole concert and all the guests, hope I win!!
I like Free stuff….fav Harrison toon has to be Something.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – great song with a great guitar solo. Is covered by many great artists today and will continued to be covered for a long time.
Favorite Beatles tune penned by George would have to be “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, which also got a great acoustic makeover on “Love.” Solo, “What is Life” (and was perfect in the movie Good Fellas to boot).
Here Comes the Sun!!!!!!!!!!
The Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll). That tune has such a great groove to it, really sweeps you away.
All Things Must Pass is the greatest solo-Beatle song and would’ve been the best song on Let it Be or Abbey Road, had Harrison not kept it for himself.
Something
I don’t think there has ever been a more perfect love song ever written, It’s so simple but it captures so much emotion.
For me it’s Wreck of the Hesperus. Catchy number with biting lyrics and a Big Bill Brooooooonnnnnnzzzy reference. “Slipped on a pavement oyester”, ee ghad!
“Awaiting on You All” from the Concert in Bangladesh CD/DVD. I never realized how GOOD musicians could get together, run through a few songs and then form such a tight band made up of 10+ musicians until I saw that song live. Plus, who writes songs like this anymore:
And while the pope owns 51% of general motors
And the stock exchange is the only thing hes qualified to quote us
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
By chanting the names of the lord and youll be free
WMGGW is my favorite for all the reasons others have listed.
Now, it means something different as my 11 year old daughter Haley has picked up guitar because of her love for the Beatles and especially George Harrison.
About six months ago, I noticed that her text messages to me had a signature of ” – 2/25/1943 ” and I asked her what that meant… she replied “that is George Harrison’s birthdate dad.” I was pretty proud.
Any Road Will Take You There
It’s a beautiful song about George looking back at his life. Part of an amazing album.
L knew George personally and spend two separate weeks with him @ meditation retreats. He was as real and nice a person as one can imagine. He is missed by many and also one of the most loved and respected performers of our time!
Here Comes the Sun
Just a beautiful song, simple as that.
Here Comes The Sun
There’s just something about this song that makes everything feel better. I’ll never forget watching the sun rise over Big Cypress while Here Comes The Sun flowed out of the PA…what a great way to start a new millennium.
Any Road. I absolutely love the lyrics.
I’ve always loved “Wah-Wah” off of All Things Must Pass… not only is it just a great tune with an amazing build-up, but knowing that he wrote it in the afternoon after he quit the Beatles (temporarily, during the “Let It Be” sessions/filming) makes it all the more poignant… it shows that his sentiments towards the Beatles were the same as everyone else’s – as in, come on… how can such an amazing group not keep it together? The song also stayed with me throughout a 5 year period where another Hidden Track favorite couldn’t keep it together… luckily that one came around in the end.
Isn’t it a pity!!
Because really
Isn’t It?
All Those Years Ago
A great song and a wonderful tribute to John Lennon. Also, the first time all three surviving Beatles worked together since their breakup. George has so many great songs but this one always sticks out for me.
“All Things Must Pass” by George Harrison is my favorite simply because it’s lyrics have helped me get out of any bad place I’ve been in. After I was denied to the School of Education I was really down on myself and nervous for my future but the lyrics “it’s not always going to be this grey” helped me to realize that yes my situation is bad now, but I have my whole life to live and this one bump in the road won’t mean eternal troubles, and that my life would soon turn around. George and his songs help people and do nothing less!
“All things must pass” is a great song that has helped me get through many tough parts of my life. I think it helps keep things in perspective and teaches you that dwelling on the present is never the best option. Amazing lyrics and great music.
I actually love this song that was re-released about 10 years ago called Stuck Inside a Cloud. Really makes me think…
All things must pass gets me everytime