Concert For George

Concert For George Comparison

There have been several different releases of the Concert For George concert in the USA. The status of non-USA releases is assumed to be the same as the USA releases. These releases include the complete concert from the Concert For George DVD, the theatrical movie version from the DVD (which excluded several songs and had others interspersed with interviews and rehearsal takes), and the audio CD version, which was edited in several ways. There is also a 4-track sampler CD promo, entitled Concert For George: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Sampler released only to the music industry. Then, of course, there is the bootleg audio of the original concert, which shows that while the supposed complete concert from the DVD contains the complete music track, several interesting bits of dialog with the audience was cut, including a running gag when Eric Clapton mistakenly refers to Olivia Harrison as "Dhani" at the start of the concert.

Below is a comparison chart of the various releases. The standard is the complete concert as released on the DVD. The original bootleg audio is also listed to show what was excluded from the complete concert on the DVD. Of particular interest are a few interesting edits: (1) the theatrical version of Horse To The Water edits out the second chorus and verse, (2) the theatrical version of Isn't It A Pity which merges the first part of the rehearsal take with the actual concert version, (3) the closing credits of the concert video has an edit of Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) where the entire last chorus is cut (the version of Old Brown Shoe is the same as the regular concert version), and finally (4) the radio edit of While My Guitar Gently Weeps on the 4-song promo CD edits out 1 minute and 25 seconds worth of the song's repeated chorus ending. Also of interest is the fact that some of the rehearsal was recorded and released in a documentary on the DVD. Unfortunately, only portions of the rehearsal have been released, none of them as complete takes because the DVD producers inserted band interviews into the recording.

Note that in almost all cases, several very short and insignificant pauses were edited out from between the songs in almost every release, consisting of simple waits while the band members came or went on stage. These are not listed in the chart below, except where they were significantly edited, such as song warm-ups or song count-ins. In the case of the theatrical version, because the songs are mixed up in order and interrupted, often it is impossible to tell where the cuts were done, if any at all.

Song Title Complete Concert (from DVD) Concert from CD Concert from Theatrical Release (from DVD) Concert For George: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Sampler     Bootleg of original concert
Sarve Shaam
YES
YES
YES
-
    
YES, includes about 30 seconds from song intro and 30 more seconds from the song end.
Eric Clapton's Concert For George Introduction
YES
YES, but attached to the end of Sarve Shaam on the CD; also cuts Eric talking about the grieving process and the introduction to the format of the concert
YES, but cuts Eric's apology for not practicing enough and the introduction to the format of the concert
-
    
YES, includes a flub where Eric refers to Olivia Harrison as "his wife, Dhani"
Ravi Shankar's Concert For George Introduction
YES
YES, but attached to the end of Sarve Shaam on the CD; also cuts Ravi's explanation of the meaning of Arpan and intro to Your Eyes and The Inner Light; it also cuts most all the pauses in Ravi's speech
YES, but cuts Ravi's intro to Your Eyes and The Inner Light
-
    
YES
Your Eyes
YES
YES
-
-
    
YES
The Inner Light
YES
YES, but some crowd cheering cut at the song's beginning
YES
-
    
YES, includes some band instrument tuning and someone in the audience shouting "We love you Jeff!"
Arpan
YES, but cuts Eric Clapton saying after the song that there will be a short intermission before the Western music section; this additional part can be heard on the CD version of the soundtrack
YES
YES, but fades at the 1:20 mark to interject interviews; fades in and out for more interviews several more times before fading in and including Eric Clapton's guitar at the end of the song; several parts in the middle are cut out, making the song much shorter
-
    
YES, includes at the song's end Eric telling the audience, "Ravi wants me to tell you that this is our debut. Anoushka's conducting. So now there will be a short intermission and we'll see you for the next part of the show. Thank you."
Sit On My Face
YES
-
YES
-
    
YES
Michael Palin's Concert For George Introduction
YES
-
YES, but cuts some jokes about the "specialness" of the night and a joke about the Royal Albert Hall
-
    
YES
The Lumberjack Song
YES
-
YES
-
    
YES
I Want To Tell You
YES
YES
YES
-
    
YES, includes someone in the audience shouting "Play [unintelligible]!" before the song starts
If I Needed Someone
YES
YES
YES
-
    
YES
Old Brown Shoe
YES
YES
-
-
    
YES
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
YES
YES
-
-
    
YES
Here Comes The Sun
YES
YES, but cuts instrument tuning and a long pause after Joe asks, "How we doin', lads?"
YES, but song is interrupted by an interview with Joe Brown
-
    
YES, includes Joe asking the audience if they are having a good time and a comment about coming in from across the street
That's The Way It Goes
YES
YES
-
-
    
YES, includes Joe's introduction to the song, explaining that it is from the Gone Troppo album and how much he likes it
Horse To The Water
YES
-
YES, but cuts the second chorus and second verse
-
    
YES, includes the band instrument tuning and song count-in
Taxman
YES
YES, but the introduction to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is attached to the end of That's The Way It Goes on the CD
YES
-
    
YES, includes the band instrument tuning (including several dramatic drum rolls) and song count-in
I Need You
YES
YES, but cuts the band instrument tuning and song count-in
-
YES, but with Eric Clapton's introduction to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from before Taxman attached at the song's beginning
    
YES, includes even more of the band instrument tuning
Handle With Care
YES
YES, but cuts the band instrument tuning and song count-in
YES, but the song is interrupted by interviews with Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne; also cuts some of the repeated chorus at the song's end
YES
    
YES
Isn't It A Pity
YES
YES
YES, but merges the first part of the rehearsal take with the actual concert take
-
    
YES, includes some instrument tuning
Ringo Starr's Concert For George Introduction
YES
YES, but cuts several of Ringo's "thank you"'s to the audience and his joke about wondering why everyone else is taller; also is attached to the end of Isn't It A Pity on the CD
YES
-
    
YES
Photograph
YES
YES
YES, but song is interrupted by an interview with Ringo; also some of the repeated chorus at the song's end is cut
YES
    
YES
Honey Don't
YES
YES, but cuts Ringo's shout of "Hey!" to the audience at the song's beginning
YES
-
    
YES
For You Blue
YES
YES, but Ringo's introduction of Paul McCartney is attached to the end of Honey Don't on the CD
YES
-
    
YES
Something
YES
YES, but Paul's introduction of Something is attached to the end of For You Blue on the CD
YES
-
    
YES, includes Paul teasing Eric about referring to George's wife as "Dhani" and cuts the audience hand clapping in the song's beginning after the drums start but before Eric's guitar joins in.
All Things Must Pass
YES
YES
YES
-
    
YES
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
YES
YES, but cuts instrument tuning and song count-in
YES
YES, but cuts 1:25 of the repeated chorus ending
    
YES
My Sweet Lord
YES
YES
YES
-
    
YES
Wah Wah
YES
YES
-
-
    
YES, includes instrument tuning and song count-in
Thanks And Goodnight
YES
YES, but attached to the end of Wah Wah on the CD; also cuts Paul McCartney's comment about everyone looking old but Dhani
YES, but cuts Paul McCartney's comment about everyone looking old but Dhani
-
    
YES, includes Dhani teasing Eric by introducing himself as "Dhani, George's wife"
I'll See You In My Dreams
YES
YES
YES
-
    
YES, includes Joe's lengthy introduction to the song
Old Brown Shoe (Closing Credits)
YES, this is the same as the complete concert version
-
YES, cuts a small bit of the song's repeated ending
-
    
-
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) (Closing Credits)
YES, but it cuts the song's last chorus from the complete concert version
-
YES, but fades early to add George Harrison's comments about a tribute concert
-
    
-

Ravi Shankar - Sarve Shaam

Eric Clapton - Eric Clapton's Concert For George Introduction

Ravi Shankar - Ravi Shankar's Concert For George Introduction

Anoushka Shankar, Ravi Shankar and Band - Your Eyes

Jeff Lynne and Anoushka Shankar - The Inner Light
"This [Indian music] recital, incorporating many long flurries of distinctively wobbly notes, mixed with drones and tabla beats was broken only by Lynne singing The Inner Light, one of the Indian-style songs that Harrison managed to smuggle on to a Beatles B-side."
David Sinclair (November 30, 2002 - The Times)

"George was a great friend and a hero to me, and the evening was a fantastic celebration of his life, and what a line-up! It really was brilliant to be playing with this lot. I even got to sing one of my favourite George songs, The Inner Light. This was a big honour for me, to sing with Anoushka Shankar playing sitar, and Ravi Shankar conducting!"
Jeff Lynne (March 10, 2003 - Showdown mailing list)

"Musical highlights [of the Concert For George DVD] include a brilliant version of Harrison's rarely played wonderwork The Inner Light, performed by Lynne and Anoushka Shankar, daughter of Ravi Shankar..."
Kevin O'Hare (November 14, 2003 - Tribute to Beatle Harrison Ranks Among Rock's Greatest Films article from Newhouse News Service)

Shankar, Anoushka and Band - Arpan
"I used to call him 'jay-rad' instead of 'George,' so I made the whole composure [of Arpan] on that 'jay-rad ha-ree-san'-- George Harrison. 'Jay-rad ha-ree-san-ah pre-fet-kiya.' That means 'jay-rad loved Krishna'. 'Hari...' [unintelligible] Krishna. And [more Indian language which sounds nothing like 'George Harrison'] which means, 'He gave the world so many beautiful songs. That great soul we are remembering today and that great soul we are paying our homage to."
Ravi Shankar (November 29, 2002 - Concert For George movie interview)

"The first half of the show was Ravi Shankar's composition, a musical offering named Arpan, conducted by Anoushka Shankar. Each movement is about George, either in mood or in the homage paid to him. The orchestra consisted of musicians, some who were George's friends, playing George's favourite instruments. There is no one but the Maestro Ravi Shankar who could compose, arrange and perform in a place like this. I don't think we will see anything like it for a long time, if ever."
Olivia Harrison (July 31, 2003 - Message From Olivia Harrison posted on www.georgeharrison.com)

"The show also pointed to Harrison's spiritual side with Anoushka Shankar and a 16-piece orchestra of Indian musicians performing a special composition by her father and Harrison's mentor, Ravi Shankar. The piece was entitled Arpan, meaning offering."
Unknown (September 9, 2003 - Press release for Concert For George)

"In one memorable segment, Anoushka Shankar conducted a full orchestra of musicians performing a special composition by her father and Harrison's mentor, Ravi Shankar, celebrating Harrison's love of Indian classical music. The piece, entitled Arpan, means 'offering.'"
Author Unknown (February 16, 2005 - Warner Strategic Marketing Press Release)

Monty Python - Sit On My Face

Michael Palin - Michael Palin's Concert For George Introduction

Monty Python - The Lumberjack Song
"Highlights include Clapton's towering rendition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Petty's jaunty version of Taxman, and the Monty Python crew (plus [Tom] Hanks wearing Canadian Mountie gear) performing I'm A Lumberjack."
Neil Smith (October 6, 2003 - Online BBC Concert For George movie review)

"There's even a riotous rendition of The Lumberjack Song performed by Harrison's buddies from Monty Python with their rather awestruck guest Tom Hanks."
Kevin O'Hare (November 14, 2003 - Tribute to Beatle Harrison Ranks Among Rock's Greatest Films article from Newhouse News Service)

"Among the other high points are... Oscarฎ-winner Tom Hanks sitting in with Monty Python (featuring Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, and Neil Innes) for a hysterical version of The Lumberjack Song, one of Harrison's favorites."
Author Unknown (February 16, 2005 - Warner Strategic Marketing Press Release)

Jeff Lynne - I Want To Tell You
"Then there's George's friend, Jeff Lynne, of the Electric Light Orchestra, singing I Want to Tell You and Give Me Love."
Adam Buckman (February 27, 2004 - New York Post)

Eric Clapton - If I Needed Someone
"How can one compare Eric Clapton singing his late friend's song about love and friendship, If I Needed Someone, to Billy Preston in a black-and-white-checked suit seated at his organ joyously singing My Sweet Lord?"
Adam Buckman (February 27, 2004 - New York Post)

Gary Brooker - Old Brown Shoe

Jeff Lynne - Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
"...on Give Me Love. [Jeff Lynne] had rehearsed that and Jim Keltner had played and Jeff didn't carry it off like George had sung that. He simply wasn't capable. Quite plain and simple he couldn't sing it. And then they sent Jim Keltner offstage. And he said he wants another drummer. And then the other drummer played it more aligned to his singing style. Then it's needless for me to say, I don't want to play on that anymore. Sometime later I addressed that with Jeff Lynne, asked how can we wangle that. Then he said, oh no, we've just rehearsed it already this way, and we want to play it in that way. And that's the bad thing about it, that is a song by George. If he can't sing it properly, he had to let it alone. He should have let Billy Preston sing it or somebody else who can sing. And these are things that I don't understand. And I find that wrong. That wasn't the right moment for an ego trip."
Klaus Voorman (November 2003 - translated from a German language interview in Beatlefan magazine)

"Then there's George's friend, Jeff Lynne, of the Electric Light Orchestra, singing I Want to Tell You and Give Me Love."
Adam Buckman (February 27, 2004 - New York Post)

Eric Clapton - Beware Of Darkness
"[Highlights include] Clapton's powerful performances on While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Beware Of Darkness. He seems to have real empathy with Harrison's hits."
Paul Cole (November 23, 2003 - Sunday Mercury)

Joe Brown - Here Comes The Sun
"[Highlights include] Joe Brown, who should have been a disaster, turns in a surprisingly good performance of Here Comes The Sun."
Paul Cole (November 23, 2003 - Sunday Mercury)

Joe Brown - That's The Way It Goes

Jools Holland and Sam Brown - Horse To The Water
"Blues-belting singer Sam Brown brings the house down with her version of what was likely the last song Harrison ever recorded, Horse to Water..."
Kevin O'Hare (November 14, 2003 - Tribute to Beatle Harrison Ranks Among Rock's Greatest Films article from Newhouse News Service)

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - Taxman
"Highlights include Clapton's towering rendition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Petty's jaunty version of Taxman, and the Monty Python crew (plus Hanks wearing Canadian Mountie gear) performing I'm A Lumberjack."
Neil Smith (October 6, 2003 - Online BBC Concert For George movie review)

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - I Need You

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with Jeff Lynne and Dhani Harrison - Handle With Care
Tom Petty sings all vocals, except the Roy Orbison parts, which Jeff Lynne sings.

"[Highlights include] Tom Petty's recreation of The Travelling [sic] Wilburys, bringing in Jeff Lynne and George's son Dhani for Handle With Care."
Paul Cole (November 23, 2003 - Sunday Mercury)

"We had performed Handle With Care in London at the Concert For George. We did three songs, with Jeff Lynne, and Dhani [Harrison, George's son]. We've done it on the road from time to time."
Tom Petty (March 31, 2004 - interview on tompetty.com)

"So there never was a live Wilbury's performance. But it could have been done. When we played the Royal Albert Hall in London [November 29, 2002] for the concert For George, and Jeff and I did the Wilburys' song [Handle With Car] with the Heartbreakers and Dhani Harrison, George's son. We saw that it could be done."
Tom Petty (November 1, 2005 Conversations With Tom Petty)

Billy Preston - Isn't It A Pity

Ringo Starr - Ringo Starr's Concert For George Introduction

Ringo Starr - Photograph
"Ringo Starr brought the crowd to an emotional peak with Photograph, a song he co-wrote with Harrison."
Unknown (September 9, 2003 - Press release for Concert For George)

"You want a good cry? Listen to Ringo Starr sing Photograph, the song he wrote with Harrison, with its lyrics, 'Everytime I see your face, it reminds me of the places we used to go . . .' 'The meaning's changed now, of course,' says Ringo plainly to introduce the song, while Harrison's 25-year-old son, Dhani, who calls Ringo 'uncle,' stands at centerstage playing a guitar and looking every bit like his father at his age."
Adam Buckman (February 27, 2004 - New York Post)

"Among the other high points... Starr performing his #1 hit Photograph (which was cowritten by Harrison)..."
Author Unknown (February 16, 2005 - Warner Strategic Marketing Press Release)

Ringo Starr - Honey Don't
"From Ringo and Dhani we learn that George loved ukeleles and Carl Perkins. Ringo then sings Perkins' Honey, Don't."
Adam Buckman (February 27, 2004 - New York Post)

Paul McCartney - For You Blue

Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton - Something
The first third of this song features Paul McCartney solo on ukelele. After this part, the full band comes in with Eric Clapton playing lead guitar and singing lead vocals and Jeff Lynne playing guitar and backing vocals.

"[Lowlights include] just about everything McCartney does, especially the horrible ukulele half of Something - even if he and George did once mess around like George Formby."
Paul Cole (November 23, 2003 - Sunday Mercury)

"Ringo... introduces his friend, Paul McCartney, who strums a uke while singing Something."
Adam Buckman (February 27, 2004 - New York Post)

"...the song Something from Concert For George with Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney was nominated for a Grammy as Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. [...] Among the other high points are McCartney and Clapton performing a duet of Something, with Starr on drums."
Author Unknown (February 16, 2005 - Warner Strategic Marketing Press Release)
Editor's Note: The song did not win the Grammy for which is was nominated.

Paul McCartney - All Things Must Pass
"When a visibly emotional McCartney arrives for a set highlighted by a stunning take on All Things Must Pass, the spiritual power of Harrison's beautiful songs is palpable."
Jeff Miers (November 30, 2003 - Buffalo News)

Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
"Highlights include Clapton's towering rendition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Petty's jaunty version of Taxman, and the Monty Python crew (plus Hanks wearing Canadian Mountie gear) performing I'm A Lumberjack."
Neil Smith (October 6, 2003 - Online BBC Concert For George movie review)

"Musical highlights [of the Concert For George DVD] include... While My Guitar Gently Weeps, which showcases Clapton, McCartney and Starr reprising their roles from the Beatles' original recording."
Kevin O'Hare (November 14, 2003 - Tribute to Beatle Harrison Ranks Among Rock's Greatest Films article from Newhouse News Service)

"[Highlights include] Clapton's powerful performances on While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Beware Of Darkness. He seems to have real empathy with Harrison's hits."
Paul Cole (November 23, 2003 - Sunday Mercury)

Billy Preston - My Sweet Lord
"[Highlights include] Billy Preston's soulful takes on both My Sweet Lord and Isn't It A Pity..."
Paul Cole (November 23, 2003 - Sunday Mercury)

"How can one compare Eric Clapton singing his late friend's song about love and friendship, If I Needed Someone, to Billy Preston in a black-and-white-checked suit seated at his organ joyously singing My Sweet Lord?"
Adam Buckman (February 27, 2004 - New York Post)

Eric Clapton and Band - Wah Wah

Dhani Harrison - Thanks And Goodnight

Joe Brown - I'll See You In My Dreams
"Joe Brown closed the evening with the old standard, I'll See You In My Dreams, a loving and appropriate sentiment."
Unknown (September 9, 2003 - Press release for Concert For George)

"1960s British rocker and Harrison confidant Joe Brown delivers a deeply touching See You in My Dreams [sic], which closes the show."
Kevin O'Hare (November 14, 2003 - Tribute to Beatle Harrison Ranks Among Rock's Greatest Films article from Newhouse News Service)

"Harrison's friend Joe Brown played the old standard I'll See You In My Dreams to close the emotional evening."
Author Unknown (February 16, 2005 - Warner Strategic Marketing Press Release)

Gary Brooker - Old Brown Shoe (Closing Credits)

Jeff Lynne - Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) (Closing Credits)
The version of Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) that plays over the closing credits of the Concert For George DVD is an edit of the full concert version, cuts the entire last chorus of the song.

Jools Holland and Sam Brown - Horse To The Water (Movie Version)
The movie version of Horse To The Water edits out the second verse and chorus.

Billy Preston and Eric Clapton - Isn't It A Pity (Movie Version)
The first 30 seconds is band warm up, then 56 seconds of the rehearsal take before merging into the last 5 minutes and 29 seconds of the actual concert recording. It cuts to the concert at Eric singing the "Getting to give back" lyric, just before he introduces Billy Preston and Preston takes over the singing.

Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton - While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Edited Promo Version)
This promo edit version cuts approximately 1:25 out of the song's repeated chorus ending.

Jeff Lynne and Andy Fairweather Low - Handle With Care (Concert For George Rehearsal Version)
In a unique version, Jeff Lynne sings the lead vocals, while Andy Fairweather Low sings the middle Roy Orbison parts. Sadly, the song, which is currently only available on the rehearsals section of the Concert For George DVD, is only of the first verse and chorus before the song is interrupted by a Jeff Lynne interview and faded down.

Andy Fairweather Low - Taxman (Concert For George Rehearsal Version)

Eric Clapton - All Things Must Pass (Concert For George Rehearsal Version)

Andy Fairweather Low - For You Blue (Concert For George Rehearsal Version)

Concert For George Band - I'll See You In My Dreams (Concert For George Rehearsal Version)

If you notice any errors or omissions, please contact me at elofan@juno.com and let me know. I strive for accuracy.

Robert Porter
July 2008