Concert for George

On 29 November 2002, many of George Harrison's former playing pals gathered at London's Albert Hall to celebrate George's music in an emotionally charged and well produced Last Waltz-style concert. They were all there: McCartney, Ringo, Clapton, organist Billy Preston, Harrison's fellow Travelling Wilburys Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, Ravi Shankar, Joe Brown, plus a host of once-famous backing players. Even the surviving Python team (minus Cleese) trooped on for 'The Lumberjack Song'. With the exception of Harrison's fresh-faced son Dhani, who strums nervously throughout, most of them look as old as the hills. Their musicianship at times, too, shows signs of having lost its lustre. Yet, as the concert develops, the better it gets. Few of today's youngsters will be queueing to see a bunch of grandads rolling out a selection of songs from the '60s and '70s. Forty- to 50-somethings, though, can't begrudge a few old codgers reuniting and reminiscing. Besides, the film amply demonstrates that George penned some damn fine songs.