MESSAGE FROM OLIVIA HARRISON - 31.07.2003
Dear Friends,
This November we look forward to a worldwide limited theatrical release of The Concert for George (which took place on November 29, 2002 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, under the musical direction of Eric Clapton). It was an indescribable evening and was captured beautifully on film. You will be able to pre-book cinema tickets online sometime in October. The 2-disk DVD will then be available at the end of November. It will consist of the entire concert on Disk 1. Disk 2 is the theatrical version with interviews and additional mini-features of the rehearsals, etc. and an extended version of the concert brochure.
I may be prejudice (sic) but, in my opinion, The Concert For George is a classic performance as well as a historical musical document. 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.
The Western band performed George's songs as beautifully as they will be played and the sentiment behind them is evident. Eric Clapton's guitar playing was off the scales, and Paul Mac, Ringo, Jeff Lynne and Tom and the Heartbreakers played not only like the great performers they are, but also the true friends they were and always will be to George.
Whew ... we are also finishing up the re-mastering of George's Dark Horse Catalogue (which he was working on in 2001). They will be available (individually and in a special box set) early next year with previously unreleased material.
There are more projects in the works with Dark Horse Records and Apple as well. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
Until then, best to you and God Bless us all.
Olivia Harrison
Credit: GeorgeHarrison.com message board.