The performance, presented by Abramorama, in association with Concord Music, and remastered in 5.1 Stereo Surround Sound, has already been booked into more than 75 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, with more to come. Click here for theater listings. The international roll-out of the film will be announced next week.
On Jan. 17, a release of the performance as a Limited Edition Deluxe 10-disc Box Set and for the first time on vinyl, as a 4-LP Box Set, on Feb. 23, was announced by Concord Music. (Pre-order links are below.)
On November 29, 2002, one year after Harrison’s passing, Olivia Harrison and longtime friend Eric Clapton organized a performance tribute in his honor. Held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the momentous evening featured Harrison’s songs, and music he loved, performed by a lineup that included Clapton, Dhani Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Monty Python, Tom Petty, Billy Preston, Ravi and Anoushka Shankar, Ringo Starr and many more.
The Deluxe Box Set (limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide) features the complete sound and film recordings from the concert (on four 180-gram audiophile LPs, two CDs, two DVDs and two Blu-rays), a 12″ x 12″ hard-bound 60-page book, plus an opportunity to own a piece of the historic event, by way of a cutting from the original hand-painted on-stage tapestry used as the backdrop at the Royal Albert Hall on November 29, 2002.
The package is housed in a gold-colored, fabric-wrapped box with a die-cut mandala window to display the unique stage fabric (which is mounted on an individually numbered card, suitable for framing).
The 4-LP Box Set includes the complete sound recordings from Concert For George, on 180-gram audiophile vinyl, featuring a special, mandala-design etched on side-8. This is the first time that all songs from the performance have been available on an audio configuration. The album will also be made newly available via streaming platforms, track listing mirroring that of the vinyl.
In addition to the vinyl formats, the release will also be presented as a 2-CD set, as well as newly issued 2-CD + 2-DVD, and 2-CD + 2-Blu-ray combo packages. The 2-CD set features sound recordings from the concert. The 2-disc DVD and Blu-ray sets also include the complete filmed concert on the first disc, with a second disc containing the original theatrical version featuring concert highlights, interviews with the performers, rehearsals and behind-the-scenes footage. Exclusive to the Blu-ray format, the second disc includes an interview segment featuring Ringo Starr, Jim Keltner and Ray Cooper, entitled “Drummers.”
(See complete track listings below.)
Directed by David Leland (whose credits include the feature Wish You Were Here, HBO’s Band Of Brothers and the Traveling Wilburys video “Handle With Care”), Concert For George captures renditions of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (featuring Clapton on guitar, McCartney on piano and Starr on drums), “Taxman” (performed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) and Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) (performed by Lynne). Lynne produced the audio elements of the concert; Clapton oversaw the entire proceedings as Musical Director. Said Olivia Harrison: “We will always celebrate George’s birthday and this year we are releasing Concert for George in a very special package in memory of a special man.”
Concert For George has been certified 8-times platinum by the RIAA since its initial release as a 2-DVD set in November 2003 and earned a 2004 Grammy® Award for Best Long Form Music Video.
CD Track Listing
Disc 1:
Sarve Shaam – Traditional Prayer
Your Eyes (Sitar Solo) – Anoushka Shankar
The Inner Light – Jeff Lynne & Anoushka Shankar
Arpan – Conducted by Anoushka Shankar
Disc 2:
I Want To Tell You – Jeff Lynne
If I Needed Someone – Eric Clapton
Old Brown Shoe – Gary Brooker
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) – Jeff Lynne
Beware Of Darkness – Eric Clapton
Here Comes The Sun – Joe Brown
That’s The Way It Goes – Joe Brown
Taxman – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
I Need You – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Handle With Care – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Jeff Lynne & Dhani Harrison
Isn’t It A Pity – Billy Preston
Photograph – Ringo Starr
Honey Don’t – Ringo Starr
For You Blue – Paul McCartney
Something – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
All Things Must Pass – Paul McCartney
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
My Sweet Lord – Billy Preston
Wah Wah – Eric Clapton and Band
I’ll See You In My Dreams – Joe Brown
Disc 1 (Complete Concert):
Your Eyes – Anoushka Shankar
The Inner Light – Jeff Lynne & Anoushka Shankar
Arpan – Conducted by Anoushka Shankar
Sit On My Face – Monty Python
The Lumberjack Song – Monty Python with Tom Hanks
I Want To Tell You – Jeff Lynne
If I Needed Someone – Eric Clapton
Old Brown Shoe – Gary Brooker
Give Me Love – Jeff Lynne
Beware Of Darkness – Eric Clapton
Here Comes The Sun – Joe Brown
That’s The Way It Goes – Joe Brown
Horse To The Water – Jools Holland & Sam Brown
Taxman – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
I Need You – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Handle With Care – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Jeff Lynne & Dhani Harrison
Isn’t It A Pity – Billy Preston
Photograph – Ringo Starr
Honey Don’t – Ringo Starr
For You Blue – Paul McCartney
Something – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
All Things Must Pass – Paul McCartney
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
My Sweet Lord – Billy Preston
Wah Wah – Eric Clapton & Band
I’ll See You In My Dreams – Joe Brown
Disc 2 (Theatrical Version):
I Want To Tell You – Jeff Lynne
If I Needed Someone – Eric Clapton
Old Brown Shoe – Gary Brooker
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)- Jeff Lynne
Beware Of Darkness – Eric Clapton
Here Comes The Sun – Joe Brown
That’s The Way It Goes – Joe Brown
Taxman – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
I Need You – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Handle With Care – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Jeff Lynne & Dhani Harrison
Isn’t It A Pity – Billy Preston
Photograph – Ringo Starr
Honey Don’t – Ringo Starr
For You Blue – Paul McCartney
Something – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
All Things Must Pass – Paul McCartney
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
My Sweet Lord – Billy Preston
Wah Wah – Eric Clapton & Band
I’ll See You In My Dreams – Joe Brown
Plus interviews, rehearsals and behind the scenes footage, including:
Ravi’s orchestra rehearsals
Monty Python backstage
George’s band rehearsals
Interviews with musicians
Photo gallery
“Drummers” featurette (on the Blu-ray only, not included on the DVD)
4-LP Vinyl Track Listing
Side 1
Sarve Shaam – Traditional Prayer
Your Eyes – Anoushka Shankar
The Inner Light – Jeff Lynne & Anoushka Shankar
Side 2
Arpan – Conducted by Anoushka Shankar
Side 3
Sit On My Face – Monty Python
The Lumberjack Song – Monty Python with Tom Hanks
I Want To Tell You – Jeff Lynne
If I Needed Someone – Eric Clapton
Old Brown Shoe – Gary Brooker
Give Me Love – Jeff Lynne
Side 4
Beware Of Darkness – Eric Clapton
Here Comes The Sun – Joe Brown
That’s The Way It Goes – Joe Brown
Horse To The Water – Jools Holland & Sam Brown
Taxman – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Side 5
I Need You – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Handle With Care – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Jeff Lynne & Dhani Harrison
Isn’t It A Pity – Billy Preston
Photograph – Ringo Starr
Side 6
Honey Don’t – Ringo Starr
For You Blue – Paul McCartney
Something – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
All Things Must Pass – Paul McCartney
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
Side 7
My Sweet Lord – Billy Preston
Wah Wah – Eric Clapton & Band
I’ll See You In My Dreams – Joe Brown
Side 8
Etched vinyl with mandala design
The following songs will be available for instant-grat download with digital preorders, as well as on streaming services: “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton (available Jan. 26), “I Need You” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (available Feb. 9).