Concert For Bangladesh

Starring:George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, Jim Keltner, Pete Ham, Tom Evans (IV), Mike Gibbins, Joey Molland, Jesse Ed Davis, Jim Horn, Mal Evans, Allen Klein, Phil Spector
Director: Saul Swimmer
Studio: Panorama
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Before We Are the World, before the Amnesty International concerts, before Live Aid, Live 8, 46664, and all the other charitable and/or political events that have used popular music as their principal draw, there was George Harrison's 1971 Concert for Bangladesh, a stirring affair released here in a fine two-disc set. The cause--raising money for the beleaguered people of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan), who were ravaged by war, floods, and famine--was enough to attract the support of stars like the former Beatle, who had never fronted a band before, along with Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton, both of whom had been out of the limelight for some years due to various personal problems and choices. Given the little time that Harrison, whose help had been solicited by sitar master Ravi Shankar, had to organize the affair, the results are very impressive indeed: the enormous band, which also features Ringo Starr, Leon Russell, and Billy Preston, is tight, the music (spotlighting tunes from Harrison's All Things Must Pass, along with a few Beatle numbers) inspired, the musicians at the top of their games. (Only Clapton is sub-par; looking out of it and playing weakly, he's a far cry from the guy who, some 30 years later, would spearhead the magnificent Concert for George.) For some, the opportunity to see Dylan onstage with Harrison, Starr, and Russell (playing bass) will be the big attraction. Others will thrill to the remastered DVD sound and restored picture. Still others will revel in an entire disc of bonus material, including three previously-unreleased performances and a documentary featuring new interviews with many of the participants. 1971 was a bleak period in rock history; the Beatles had broken up, Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison were dead, Woodstock was a distant memory. The Concert for Bangladesh shone like a beacon, a revelation of the better angels that reside within us all. And it still does. --Sam Graham

Description

The Concert for Bangladesh was the first benefit concert of its kind in that it brought together an extraordinary assemblage of major artists collaborating for a common humanitarian cause-setting the precedent that music could be used to serve a higher purpose. The concert sold out Madison Square Garden and has helped to generate millions for UNICEF and raised awareness for the organization around the world, as well as among other musicians and their fans. It is acknowledged as the inspiration and the forerunner to the major global fundraising events of recent years. To quote the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, "George and his friends were pioneers." All artists' royalties from the sales of the DVD will go to UNICEF.

Customer Reviews:

A Valuable Part of Music History .......2007-06-11

I was 12 years old when this was originally released on vinyl (which i still have in excellent condition), and loved the record as much today as i did then. when it was first issued on cd quite a few years ago i was waiting for the store to open to get a copy! now, years later the film is finally released on dvd! what joy it is to see what i've listened to for so many years.(i never saw the film in the theater). a great set from a cast of spectacular legends from the music industry. George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and a host of others in a spectacular performance for charity, an event that actually started concerts for charity. DVD quality is decent considering this show was shot in 1971, sound is very good. there are 2 low points for me in this set, but neither to drop my 5 star rating. the first being nearly 17 minutes of Ravi's performance. (did they really have to play that long?) while the music was intresting, its hard to listen to for that long for me personally, and two, the ommision of Bob Dylan's Mr.Tamborine Man! this track was included on the cd and original vinyl versions. On the upside, a couple performances from the afternoon show and rehersals have been added, "If Not For You," "Come On In My Kitchen," and "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" on disc 2 of the set. Overall it is wonderful to finally be able to own a piece of history!

Still rocks after 30+ years.......2007-05-18

How ironic that you asked for a review today. Having owned the dvd for 1 month, I finally got a chance to watch the first half of it just last night. It rocks. I saw the movie in a theatre when it came out and I was expecting it to be just okay (a la Mad Dogs and Englishmen, which does not live up to the memories I had of it for 30 years). This, however, is really good stuff. I'm only half way through, but so far have been blown away by the Billy Preston and Leon Russell songs in particular. The Indian music section is also excellent, and George is very strong, singing and playing well while balancing the duties of musical director. Unfortunately, EC is in noticeably mediocre form, playing sloppily and sometimes out of key. (What a great ad for the Crossroads Clinic! Thank God he made it through.) Anyway, buy this DVD. It's great. Camera work, sound, and performaces are all good. While you're at it, get the Concert for George, too. That has a wonderful inventory of GH's songwriting, with excellent performances by EC as a bonus.

This concert is a reminder of kindness and good music.......2007-04-06

I bought this DVD and CD set because it is a demonstration of human kindness from people who really cared. Nowhere on this DVD can you see the ego of these music legends. They played for the love of music and also to help out people who were in need.

George Harrison made this concert happen because he genuinely wanted to help the people of Bangladesh. I was born many years after the concert but it struck me how kind people were in the 1970's to want to help a bunch of people who really had nothing.

I am also a Bengali and a high school teacher in the US. I use the concert in my classes to show examples of human kindness and a willingness of Westerners to give back to the poor. The cover of the DVD speaks volumes and really makes an impact on anyone who looks at it. I was sadden and heart broken that when George Harrison died the Bangladeshi government did not send a letter of condolence to George Harrison's family or that there were no steps taken to honor the fantastic work done by George Harrison for the Bangladeshi people. So on behalf of a grateful nation and Bengali's everywhere, thank you George for the fantastic concert, music and your love for a nation of people who needed it.

Musicians unite for the good of all.......2007-03-18

Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell, and Billy Preston unite for the good of all. There have been many great efforts by those that are gifted with special talents to bring help to those in dire need of the basic necessities of life, but before efforts like "We Are the World," and other charitable events, George Harrison conducted a 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. By acquiring this DVD, you get the rare opportunity to witness this ground breaking great effort. The purpose for these musicians to come together was to raise money for the people of Bangladesh. The reason was that these people were living the dire consequences of war, floods, and famine. During the performance, we see the rare appearances of Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton who had been away for some time because of deep emotional challenges. Our favorite part is the bonus material, which provides the opportunity to see unreleased performances, as well as a documentary where the participants are interviewed. After seeing the performance, we researched and learned about the sitar and how it is constructed. Would highly recommend this DVD if you want to experience the outcome of a great effort transforming into a legacy of great music.

Jesse Ed Davis at Concert for Bangladesh.......2007-02-04

If you don't know who Jesse Ed Davis was...this DVD is the perfect historical record to introduce you to one of America's and rock's under rated and vastly ignored blues guitarists. Davis was a Kiowa/Comanche Indian from Oklahoma who rose from obscurity to standing on stage at this concert with Harrison, Dylan, Clapton, and Russell among others. Davis had backed up Russell, Taj Mahal, as well as releasing three solo albums.
I had the opportunity to speak with Davis in 78' at a benefit concert he performed at for the Denver Indian Center. He was a great guy, humble, and still an 'Indian' in his one on one meetings with other Indians.
Besides the great footage and music on this great DVD, take the opportunity to meet Jesse Ed Davis, even if it's hard to discern his playing and contributions to the concert.

Average customer rating:

A Valuable Part of Music History
Still rocks after 30+ years
This concert is a reminder of kindness and good music
Musicians unite for the good of all
Jesse Ed Davis at Concert for Bangladesh

Concert for Bangladesh (2pc)
Starring: George Harrison , Bob Dylan , Ravi Shankar , Ringo Starr , and Eric Clapton
Director: Saul Swimmer
Manufacturer: Rhino Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Release Date: 2005-10-25

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

A Valuable Part of Music History .......2007-06-11

Still rocks after 30+ years.......2007-05-18

This concert is a reminder of kindness and good music.......2007-04-06

Musicians unite for the good of all.......2007-03-18

Jesse Ed Davis at Concert for Bangladesh.......2007-02-04

Average customer rating:

Concert for Bangladesh
Starring: George Harrison
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Average customer rating:

A Valuable Part of Music History
Still rocks after 30+ years
This concert is a reminder of kindness and good music
Musicians unite for the good of all
Jesse Ed Davis at Concert for Bangladesh

Concert For Bangladesh
Starring: George Harrison , Bob Dylan , Ravi Shankar , Ringo Starr , and Eric Clapton
Director: Saul Swimmer
Manufacturer: Panorama
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music