Concert for George

Sounds like it could be Ray Cooper. He used to work a fair bit on tours with Elton John. Just a guess as I have not seen the concert.

Tony

Have just checked performers and Ray Cooper is listed on percussion.

Tony

Indeed, it is Ray Cooper. Thanks Tony. With that info I was able to look him up on Wikipedia. He really breaks me up, he looks like he's having the greatest time on stage.

I'm coming back as a musician in my next life. These guys look so connected with what they're doing. It seems such an utter mind/body exercise in fulfillment. The true embodiment of 'flow state'. The only thing close for me is when I'm mountain climbing, especially long descents. You don't even think about what you are doing, you're just doing it, and connecting. And sometimes cycling. Pedals spinning, sound of my conti's on the asphalt, just out there in the sun. Of course listening to good music kind of makes me feel this way, and even more so, for me, when the sound is especially good.

I really enjoyed Billy Preston, and like Cooper, he seems to just be in heaven when he's performing. My Sweet Lord and Isn't It A Pity were so good.

One last question. I couldn't figure out who the white haired gent on piano is. He was excellent in the few solos afforded him.

Dave

Yep, Ray always has fun.

I've been to concerts featuring Ray Cooper several times and for me he always steals the show. A true performer.

Concert for George has to be the best tribute concert ever staged. I wish I could have been there. Joe Brown's version of "I'll See You in my Dreams" rounds the show off perfectly.

Joe Brown's performance was indeed perfect. A very nice show to watch. Neat little touches like Tom Hanks as a mountie in the lumberjack skit.

Dave

Hello Dave,

If you Google "Concert for George Performers" it will give you a complete list of everyone who appeared.

The keyboard player is probably Gary Brooker who founded Procul Harum.

Thanks. I think I saw his name on the concert website, but couldn't connect the name with the face, I followed up on your tip, and it is indeed Gary Brooker. I should have known, he was excellent on the keyboards. Thanks.

Dave

I always wanted to know the young woman in black hat, such a soulful singer.  I have no clue who she is.

Google

Oh, Wikipedia said it's Sam Brown daughter of Joe.  No wonder I was looking for a woman's name, if they'd listed Samantha I'd have known.  I see she has a lot going on over there, recording and teaching. I don't often look into back up singers but know they're very important, rarely getting recognition.

It was played at my wife's uncle's funeral in Fleetwood a few years ago. Her aunt had died only six months before and this was their song as a young couple.

It was one of the saddest things I've ever experienced and I can barely listen to it now.

Sam is a cracking singer. She regularly tours with Jool Holland and has appeared with Pink Floyd and the like. She had a hit in the late 80's with "Stop", a single (and an album of the same name). It's still one of my all time favourite female vocal tracks.

I'll be looking for it.

It's one of my favourite DVDs. Anuska Shankar is wonderful, as is Sam Brown, Monty Python - with an uncredited Tom Hanks in the line-up - are very funny, and one can appreciate a number of not so known side musicians who do a splendid job, like Andy Fairweather-Low, Jim Keltner, and so on...

I too love Joe Brown's rendition of >I'll see you in my dreams<. I wish I had played in that concert - even a tambourine, hiding behind the stage...

Max

I thought it was for the George who posts on here!

It's a favorite of mine also.  I watch it when I want a bluray concert of great music.  I never noticed Tom Hanks.  First 2 times watching I did the whole thing, now I just go to R&R and skip the Indian music.  

I've seen Ravi 3 times since '80  and I had George's Wonder Wall record when it came out.  We also happened to get an exchange grad student from India staying with us in Philly at that time.  She was amazed I liked the music.  Wonderful stories she could tell of her life.