Review

Review

August 2009

(Continued) ...whilst Sir Frankie and the Old Friars launched into "Bangladesh" and followed with a track from each of George's solo albums - many of them never having been covered before e.g. "Sat Singing" and "Mystical One". In view of George's huge output of music it was not possible to cover it adequately in the alloted time so the two sets were slightly different for each of the Concerts simply to fulfil the desire to do justice to his music, which no other tribute band could have done so well. Sadly Attilio and Davide were involved in a serious car crash just prior to the Concert and could not make it. They were sadly missed and we pray for their earliest recovery.

They were joined for the last number "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" by Ray Bernard and Karen Shutt who played a selection of the golden melodies they entertained George with at Friar Park such as "September in the Rain", "Dizzy Fingers" and "Leaning on a Lampost" as well as sharing with the audience tales of some of the time they spent with George. We confidently predict that Ray is not going to be allowed to hang up his uke anytime soon as requests for him and Karen to perform at engagements are flooding in!

Jeff Slate (of The Badge) played an inspired acoustic set starting with George's beautiful "Any Road" and culminating in a tribute to George's masterpiece "All Things Must Pass" ending with the song title of the same name on the Steinway! How fortuitous that he made it "his mission" to play at the Concerts as they would not have been the same without him.

George's work with the Radha Krishna Temple appropriately led into the shimmering set by Gaurav Mazumdar on sitar (who broke away from an engagement to specifically come and play For George) accompanied by Shabaz Hussein on tabla and Gilda Sebastian on tanpura. Traditionally, with Indian classical music different compositions are suitable for different times of day and so the very fortunate audience was treated to a different piece for each Concert.

The young rockers in "Piggies" (formed from different rock bands for this specific occasion) rocked out to George's Beatle greats - being joined by Jeff on electric sitar for "Love You To" and "Here Comes the Sun". Whilst "While My Guitar" was tremendous with its two guitar solos the "Something" solo on the Steinway joined by guitar three quarters of the way with the rest of the band only coming in on the last verse had to be "something" (sorry!) of a tour de force. The fresh energy given by them to George's classics was remarkable in its intensity.

And when they were joined on stage by the other Musicians for "My Sweet Lord" the audience rose to its feet and everyone just let themselves be lost for that time in a love in for our George.

The entire evening was completed by Iris Cauldwell, George's very first girlfriend at the tender age of 12 who introduced Jeff and Piggies and shared some memories of George in her own unique and funny way. Thank you Iris for showing you love George still and that he had wonderful taste in choosing you for that first kiss.

The Events were filmed by Shafiur (cosmically from Bangladesh - this being the anniversary of George's magnificent Concerts for Bangladesh) with his team: Harjinder, Brian, Martin and Martina. All the Concerts stills have been supplied by them.

In a truly beautiful moment Lee Christian (of Smilex) ended the evening with "Goodnight George". The audience found it difficult to leave after the last performance and lingered chatting with the musicians. It was a beautiful day - thank you one and all for playing with so much love For George. The after show was appropriately at The Cavern stretching into the wee hours of the morning..

This Site and the Events For George have no connection with the Harrison Family or Estate or any Beatle Company. Any surplus monies raised from the Concerts and sales of associated merchandise or donations received will be given to George's own Charity: The Material World Charitable Foundation. All material on this, past and future sites of For George are the property of For George - any duplication is strictly prohibited.

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