Concert for George (2002) [Blu-ray]

Filmed on November 29, 2002 before a sold-out audience at Royal Albert Hall the Concert For George is a beautifully filmed, joyous celebration of some of the the most significant music of the 20th century. Includes breathtaking performances of some of George's songs from rock's most influential artists and pop culture icons including Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Monty Python with Tom Hanks, Ravi and Anoushka Shankar, Jeff Lynne, Gary Brooker, Joe Brown, Jools Holland, Dhani Harrison, and Billy Preston. Also included are rehearsals, backstage material, and interviews.

On the first anniversary of the death of George Harrison--November 29, 2002--a group of his friends paid tribute to the Quiet Beatle by staging an all-star concert featuring the songs of Harrison, from his days with the Fab Five as well as his long and underrated solo career and work with the Traveling Wilburys. Also included were songs written for and about Harrison, from Ringo Starr's evocative "Photograph" to Ravi and Anoushka Shankar's inspirational "Arpan." Among the outstanding performances, held in London's Royal Albert Hall, were Eric Clapton and Jeff Lynne playing "I Want to Tell You," Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers blasting out "Taxman" and "I Need You," Paul McCartney chiming in with "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "For You Blue," and fifth Beatle Billy Preston taking on "My Sweet Lord." Clapton and McCartney's duet on "Something" is one of the many highlights. The elaborate concert, directed by David Leland and including backstage behind-the-scenes interviews with some of the participants, also featured appearances by the Boys and Girls Choir, the English Chamber Choir, the London Metropolitan Orchestra, and the Monty Python crew, just to change the mood. Harrison's musician son, Dhani, also shows up--his resemblance to his father is remarkable.