Concert for Bangladesh
by Saul Swimmer
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Actor: Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Ravi Shankar, Ringo StarrDirector: Saul Swimmer
Brand: WEA DES Moines Video
Producer: George Harrison
Cinematographer: Richard E. Brooks
Producer: Allen Klein
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), DTS 5.1; German (Subtitled); English (Subtitled); Dutch (Subtitled); Italian (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Portuguese (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), DTS 5.1; English (Published), DTS 5.1
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 103 minutes
Published: 2005
DVD Release Date: 2005-10-25
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Rhino Records
Product features:
- 2 DVDs
- Various artists
- Format 2 DVDs
DVD Reviews of Concert for Bangladesh
DVD Review: Invaluable Record of an Amazing Event
Summary: 4 Stars
Although there is nothing wrong with the original 3-LP/2-CD soundtrack of the Concert for Bangla Desh, one's enjoyment of this event increases immeasurably by seeing it on DVD. In its present incarnation, the surround stereo mix far surpasses the already-wonderful sound of the original LPs, so one can hear--and now see--the concert as never before.
Even if Bangla Desh weren't an unpredecented massive charity concert--it, and not Woodstock, is the true forerunner of Live Aid, Live 8, and other big charity benefits--it would still be an impressive show. The concert begins with 20 minutes of Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan swapping lines back and forth on sitar and sarod--by the time they get to the Gat (fast) section, performed in Teental (16-beat rhythm), they are as astonishing--perhaps even more so--as Harrison and Clapton trading riffs back and forth on the "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" solo. The Indian music section--a series of improvisations over a Bengali folk melody--is an itegral part of the show, not only because it sets the context of the purpose of the concert, but because it reminds the audience that virtuoso musicianship, passion, intensity, and sheer excitement don't just have to be found in electric instruments and blues-based riffs. Harrison tells the audience that the Indian music is "a little more serious" than the rock music to follow, but looking at the sheer delight on Shankar's face at the end of the set, you know not to equate serious with boring. It's a transcendant moment, not even a half hour into the show.
The supergroup Harrison assembled for the second part of the show is no less spectacular. Especially noticeable in the film are the choir (often lost in the LP mix), the powerhouse drum combination of Ringo Starr and Jim Keltner, and Billy Preston's infectious enthusiasm both during his own number and during the rest of the songs in general. Harrison delivers his numbers with a seriousness and intensity that helps to reinterpret the spiritual lyrics of "My Sweet Lord" and "Awaiting on You All" in a new light--even "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Something" take on new meaning in light of the occasion.
Bob Dylan's unbilled guest appearance, of course, is nothing short of stunning--Dylan doesn't just whiz through his numbers and run off, he takes the occasion seriously, and revisits his old hits with the confidence and maturity of a man who's had a long rest. No head games with audience, no shouts of "Judas": Dylan's performance is the record of a man who has made peace with his audience and with his own past.
If the concert had a consistent spiritual theme running through it, then that theme was interrupted somewhat by the solo set from Leon Russell--a medley of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and the old Coasters number, "Youngblood." They're great performances to be sure, but a little out of keeping with the spirit of the event. The DVD includes a sound-check run through of Robert Johnson's "Come In My Kitchen"--maybe a Johnson number would have been a better choice here?
No matter--Harrison returns to form with the encore, "Bangla Desh," a reading that conveys much more passion on the DVD than either its audio form, or in the fairly tepid studio single that was released at the same time.
Any criticisms? Only two--the DVD doesn't include Dylan's performance of "Mr Tambourine Man," which the LP/CD does. No one has explained this--perhaps the film was unusable or never existed. It's a small matter, but it would be nice to have. On the other hand, Disc 2 does include lots of good extras, including a couple of extra Dylan tracks, so I'm not unhappy. The new artwork, too, takes the focus away from the event, as represented by the famous baby in front of the empty bowl photo, and on Harrison--there's even a featurette that explains why a picture of the band wasn't used in the original artwork--it seems a shame not to follow that lead in the 2005 version.
The deluxe version does include the original cover (with the original orange cover) and some extra goodies, but is probably not worth the extra expense. Buy the regular version--hunt down a copy of the vinyl set if you can, if only for the magnificent 65-page colour booklet that came with it, and enjoy the unique piece of history, lovingly and respectfully treated in the DVD release.
Description of Concert for Bangladesh
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