Blu-ray Review: Concert For George--A Celebration of a Life in Music

[Bob Rapoport]

Concert:
Video:
Audio:
Final Score:
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At a Glance​

• Venue: Royal Albert Hall, London – November 29 2002
• Format: 2-CD + 2-Blu-ray Combo (also 4-LP Box Set)
• Audio: Dolby Atmos Remaster by Grammy-winner Paul Hicks
• Running Time: 2 hrs 26 min (full concert)

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The Story​

George Harrison, the “Quiet Beatle,” passed away from cancer in 2001 at just 58. One year to the day, his wife Olivia and lifelong friend Eric Clapton gathered the musical world for a once-in-a-lifetime tribute at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The surviving Beatles joined members of the Traveling Wilburys, Monty Python, Billy Preston, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jeff Lynne, Ravi and Anoushka Shankar, Joe Brown and others to celebrate his music and his spirit.

What emerged that night was more than a memorial — it was a joyful reaffirmation of friendship, faith, and the unifying power of music.

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The Performance​

From the opening Indian suite conducted by Anoushka Shankar through Joe Brown’s closing ukulele farewell, every note radiates affection and reverence. Clapton, as musical director, assembled an unprecedented ensemble — nine guitarists, four drummers, and Roy Cooper’s extraordinary percussion — creating a lush, dynamic soundstage that fills the Royal Albert Hall.

The centerpiece, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” unites Clapton, McCartney, and Starr in a moment of transcendent beauty. McCartney’s piano, Clapton’s searing guitar, and Starr’s steady pulse merge into an elegy that feels larger than life.

Ringo’s “Photograph” becomes both a eulogy and a sing-along, while McCartney’s ukulele rendition of “Something” brings smiles through tears. Billy Preston’s gospel-infused “My Sweet Lord” lifts spirits skyward, and Joe Brown’s “I’ll See You in My Dreams” sends the audience home in grateful silence.

Through it all, you can feel the camaraderie on stage — the mutual respect and affection these artists shared for George and for each other.

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Sound & Picture​

The Dolby Atmos mix by Paul Hicks is a revelation — airy, dimensional, and faithful to the Royal Albert Hall’s natural acoustic space. Every guitar, drum, and vocal line sits beautifully in its own place, revealing textures long buried in the original mix. The Blu-ray’s remastered 1080p transfer glows with warmth and clarity on a 4K display, making this one of the best-looking archival concert films ever produced.

The 2-CD set presents the complete 2-hour-26-minute concert in PCM stereo, while the Blu-ray adds a DTS Master HD 5.1 mix for immersive depth and realism. For collectors, a 4-LP edition and special mandala-etched vinyl side round out the tribute in true hi-res fashion.

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Track List (Complete Concert)​

1. Your Eyes – Anoushka Shankar
2. The Inner Light – Jeff Lynne & Anoushka Shankar
3. Arpan – Conducted by Anoushka Shankar
4. Sit On My Face – Monty Python
5. The Lumberjack Song – Monty Python with Tom Hanks
6. I Want To Tell You – Jeff Lynne
7. If I Needed Someone – Eric Clapton
8. Old Brown Shoe – Gary Brooker
9. Give Me Love – Jeff Lynne
10. Beware Of Darkness – Eric Clapton
11. Here Comes The Sun – Joe Brown
12. That’s The Way It Goes – Joe Brown
13. Horse To The Water – Jools Holland & Sam Brown
14. Taxman – Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
15. I Need You – Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
16. Handle With Care – Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with Jeff Lynne & Dhani Harrison
17. Isn’t It A Pity – Billy Preston
18. Photograph – Ringo Starr
19. Honey Don’t – Ringo Starr
20. For You Blue – Paul McCartney
21. Something – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
22. All Things Must Pass – Paul McCartney
23. While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton (with Ringo Starr on drums)
24. My Sweet Lord – Billy Preston
25. Wah Wah – Eric Clapton & Band
26. I’ll See You In My Dreams – Joe Brown

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Highlights​

• Here Comes the Sun – Joe Brown
• Something – McCartney & Clapton
• Photograph – Ringo Starr
• While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Clapton / McCartney / Starr
• My Sweet Lord – Billy Preston
• Handle With Care – Petty / Lynne / Dhani Harrison
• I’ll See You in My Dreams – Joe Brown

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The Verdict​

“Concert for George is more than a memorial; it’s a masterclass in musicianship, friendship, and faith — one of the most joyous, heartfelt concerts ever captured on film.”

For audiophiles and Beatles fans alike, this Blu-ray is essential viewing — a Hi-Res celebration of life, love, and legacy.

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Epilogue​

It’s amazing that George is still in our lives. His music continues to live in our collective consciousness, timeless and true. For those of us who came of age when The Beatles changed the world, Concert for George is more than a memorial — it’s a reminder of how one gentle soul could inspire millions. When we were young and searching for meaning, it was George who lit a path toward love, kindness, and the quiet wisdom that still guides us today.

Video Specifications:

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1

Audio Specifications:

English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit) Uncompressed
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Dolby Atmos

Subtitles:
English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch

Discs:
Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (2 BD-50, 2 CDs)

Packaging:
Slipbox
DigiPack, Inner print Booklet

Playback:
2K Blu-ray: Region A

Featuring Eric Clapton on lead vocal and guitar, While My Guitar Gently Weeps is the musical highlight of the show.

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Available now on Blu-ray, CD, vinyl, and streaming in Dolby Atmos — a lasting tribute to George Harrison’s light and legacy.