Star-Studded Videos From Forthcoming George Fest: A Night To Celebrate The Music Of George Harrison

I thought we could go into the weekend with a reminder to check out several fantastic videos ("Handle With Care" and "I Me Mine") off the forthcoming George Fest: A Night To Celebrate the Music of George Harrison multi-format release coming later this month...

The day after what would have been George Harrison's 73^rd birthday, February 26, 2016, Hot Records Ltd. and Vagrant Records are proud to present George Fest: A Night To Celebrate The Music Of George Harrison. Recorded and filmed on September 28, 2014 at the The Fonda Theater in Los Angeles.  To see what you can expect, check out the video for 'Handle With Care,' featuring an epic lineup consisting of Brandon Flowers of The Killers, Norah Jones, Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips, Britt Daniel of Spoon, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Dhani Harrison, Jonathan Bates of Big Black Delta and more!  Of Harrison, Brian Wilson praises "Well I always liked him when he was in The Beatles. And then when I heard "My Sweet Lord" I just about croaked. I couldn't believe it. It was one of the most unbelievable pieces of music I've ever heard. Oh, it means a lot to me. I'm very proud to be apart of it and to express my feelings about his music by singing his song. "George, I cannot tell you how much your music has meant to me and it's an honor to sing it."  Conan O'Brien confesses "He was such a craftsman on guitar that he intimidates to this day."  You can watch the video here! 

From the star-studded George Fest lineup, you should also check out Britt Daniel's rendition of 'I Me Mine.' This fantastic performance pays tribute to George Harrison's memorable Beatles hit.

Produced by Dhani Harrison and David Zonshine, Harrison stated, "I've always imagined a small club show where my generation of musicians could cut loose on some of the deeper tracks from his career... So, in a totally new and vibrant way, I once again found myself taking the stage with some of my most treasured musical heroes to the sound of the most familiar music in my life... I hope you enjoy listening to these as much as I do. They are some of the best interpretations of my father's songs I could have ever thought possible."

To see a trailer of the film go here

On top of the concert footage the DVD has interviews with the musicians backstage and at rehearsals talking about George Harrison's influence on their art.

Below is the song list:

DISC 1

1. Introduction

2. Old Brown Shoe Conan O'Brien

3. I Me Mine Britt Daniel from Spoon

4. Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) Jonathan Bates with Dhani Harrison

5. Something Norah Jones

6. Got My Mind Set On You Brandon Flowers from The Killers

7. If Not For You Heartless Bastards

8. Be Here Now Ian Astbury from The Cult

9. Wah-Wah   Nick Valensi from The Strokes

10. If I Needed Someone Jamestown Revival

11. Art of Dying Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

12. Savoy Truffle Dhani Harrison

13. For You Blue Chase Cohl with Weezer's Brian Bell on guitar

14. Beware Of Darkness Ann Wilson from Heart

DISC 2

1. Let It Down Dhani Harrison

2. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) Ben Harper

3. Here Comes The Sun Perry Farrell from Jane's Addiction

4. What Is Life  "Weird Al" Yankovic

5. Behind That Locked Door Norah Jones

6. My Sweet Lord Brian Wilson with Al Jardine

7. Isn't It A Pity The Black Ryder

8. Any Road Butch Walker

9. I'd Have You Anytime Karen Elson

10. Taxman Cold War Kids

11. It's All Too Much TheFlaming Lips

12. Handle With Care Brandon Flowers, Dhani Harrison,Jonathan Bates"Weird Al" Yankovic, Britt DanielandWayne Coyne

13. All Things Must Pass Ann Wilson,Dhani Harrison, Karen Elson and Norah Jones

Pre-Order Now:

Amazon DVD

Amazon Blu-Ray

Amazon Vinyl LP

George Harrison Store

iTunes Audio

http://www.georgeharrison.com/

'Weird Al' returns to Orange County to deliver more laughs

My review was originally posted on The Orange County Register site on Monday, Aug. 13. A special "thank you" to Kelly A. Swift for the use of her great photo.

"Weird Al" Yankovic in concert on Aug. 12.

In just over two hours Sunday night (Aug. 12, 2012), “Weird Al” Yankovic showcased his talents as comedian, singer, songwriter, music video pioneer and accordionist before yet another delighted near-capacity crowd at Pacific Amphitheatre, this time on the closing night of the OC Fair.



Yankovic, 52, has been a trailblazing satirist since the dawn of MTV but has been able to successfully evolve with the subsequent arrival of the Internet and growth of social media to remain relevant.


In the ’80s and early ’90s he would merely skewer artists with popular parodies bolstered by accompanying videos. He has extended that approach over the years to include creative clips in which he’s seen interviewing everybody from Robert Pattinson and Jeff Bridges to Uma Thurman in a gleeful bashing of celebrities, along with take-downs of Craigslist and eBay and, in the piece “Another Tattoo,” the body-art trend. All of that played a major part of his show in Costa Mesa, allowing him to make quick costume changes at key points.


Mirroring how technology has quickened the pace of our lives, Yankovic’s show raced along as swiftly as features on a smart phone. The blend of live music, effective lighting, wide-ranging videos and rapid pacing all enhanced a series of great one-liners, with even some of his most effective satirical classics (including “My Bologna,” his send-up of the Knack’s “My Sharona”) folded into medleys. Yet the performance was never overwhelmed by that speediness, with Yankovic knowing when to let the show breathe.


Highlights this night included segments for which he would don colorful outfits and perform solid musical versions of some of his best-known songs, in an ADD rush of genres: a modern dance tune for “Perform This Way,” a parody of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”; the urban-styled “White & Nerdy”; a delightful rock attack for “Smells Like Nirvana,” which found Yankovic and members of his backing band in full grunge mode.

Several big moments came toward the end of his set, including a performance of “Eat It” with the star dressed in a fat suit and artfully replicating the moves and vocal gymnastics of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” All the while, fans cheered, laughed and waved their hands.

His encore featured his two Star Wars-themed songs, “The Saga Begins” and “Yoda.” The first, set to the tune of Don McLean’s “American Pie,” was delivered in Jedi attire while Yankovic was surrounded by a number of characters, including R2D2 and Darth Vader. “Yoda,” a rip on the Kinks’ iconic melody for “Lola,” provided an upbeat singalong to a show that blended music and comedy in all the right ways.