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The Concert For George was photographed by renowned
rock photographer Jill Furmanovsky and by famous celebrity photographer
Richard Young. Their work features strongly in the limited
edition. Provided exclusively with each Deluxe copy is a four-image
signed and numbered print by each photographer. None of these images
otherwise appears in the limited edition. Every Deluxe copy includes
the commemorative booklet and the four passes.
Regular Copies (numbered 351 to 2,500 and priced at $510.00) are
bound in silk-screened fabric over padded boards with bronze page
edges. The motif for the fabric design has been taken from the original
stage backdrops. Each copy is signed by Olivia Harrison, edited
by Olivia Harrison & Brian Roylance with an introduction by
Paul Theroux
 Each
of the 308 pages in Concert For George is master printed with extensive
use of gold and bronze inks and full color printing with image varnishing.
The black and white photographs are also printed by four-color process.
The paper stock is an archival quality 200gsm matt art. Pages printed
in gold or bronze inks onto vivid colored tracing paper are also
included throughout the book.
Those fortunate to attend the Concert filed through
the doors at The Royal Albert Hall. The smell of George's favorite
incense filled the air as everyone was handed a 28-page commemorative
booklet printed on the finest paper stock. Inside a beautiful embossed
cover fastened with an orange silk ribbon. Eight images depicting
George through the years were presented within. The commemorative
booklet and the passes are provided in all of the 2500 copies of
the edition.
The Concert For George brought together some of the
world's finest performers for one unprecedented night of celebration.
Rock Stars, Comedians and Classical Musicians in both the Indian
and European tradition all checked their egos at the door and took
to the stage of The Albert Hall in perfect harmony, united by one
thing: a love for their friend George Harrison whose earthly life
had come to an end exactly one year before.
 Rehearsals
for the show had begun three weeks before, under the musical direction
of Eric Clapton. With Olivia and Dhani in attendance from day one,
a decision was made to split the show roughly in two. The first
half - under the direction of his friend and mentor Ravi Shankar
- would consist of the classical Indian music George so loved. The
second would be dominated by George's own work. A 'house band' consisting
of the likes of Eric, Jeff Lynne, Billy
Preston, Gary Brooker, Andy Fairweather Low and Dhani
Harrison were gradually joined by more of George's friends including
Joe Brown, Jools Holland, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Ringo
Starr and Paul McCartney. As they familiarized themselves with
George's often complex songs, so they found a kind of healing, even
a closeness to their departed friend. In an adjacent room, Ravi
Shankar composed as his orchestra rehearsed, fine-tuning his
eulogy with his daughter Anoushka at his side, conducting. Gradually,
East and West were brought together and memory sparked memory. Each
had a story to tell and each story was like a different little piece
of the George they knew. By the time everyone took the stage on
November 29th, 2002, George Harrison was manifest in all their hearts.
This remarkable book follows that story from the rehearsals,
the soundchecks, to the stage and beyond. It's told in 34,000 words
from the mouths of those who were there, and who knew George. Most
of the 450 photographs have never before been seen and include images
of George throughout his life.
 Concert
for George is more than the story of one concert however. Eric Clapton
talks about George's contrariness while Eric Idle, Michael Palin
and Ringo Starr reveal a quiet, social recluse who loved company
and couldn't shut up. Sam Brown remembers his ruthless honesty
and compassion, Klaus Voorman his desperate anger at the
state of the planet and Ravi Shankar his dedication to meditation
and the sitar. Tom Petty recalls the time he spent as a Traveling
Wilbury, along with Jeff Lynne who is just one of many to
comment on George's unusual songwriting. Tom Hanks and Andy
Fairweather Low tell of high-speed rides in 'The Rocket' and
Jim Capaldi and Terry Gilliam remember George's love
of laughter. Most poignantly, Olivia and Dhani Harrison recall
a husband and a father.
Concert for George is an intimate blend of laughter
and tears; a personal insight into one of the Twentieth century's
best-loved songwriters.
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