"The Concert For Bangladesh" by GEORGE HARRISON and Friends – 20 December 1971 USA 3LP Live Box Set (7 January 1972 UK) on Apple Records – Benefit Concert Staged and Recorded 1 August 1971 at Madison Square Gardens in New York for Famine and War Relief in the Indian Country – Guests Included Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar, Ringo Starr of The Beatles, Eric Clapton of Cream, Blind Faith and Derek & The Dominoes, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Most of Badfinger, Klaus Voormann, Claudia Lennear, Marlin and Jo Greene, Don Nix and many more (October 2005 UK Sony/BMG-Epic-Apple 2CD Clamshell Box Set of Remasters with New Front Cover Artwork, a 36-Page Booklet and a Bonus Track on CD2 That Features Unreleased Bob Dylan) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Awaiting On You All…"

Recorded across two shows on 1 August 1971 in Madison Square Gardens, New York City – George Harrison had roped in an impressive array of British, American, European and Indian Sub-Continent like-minded and concerned Music Citizens to host this First of its Kind Charity Concert. The aim was to raise awareness and money for the appalling starvation situation being faced by a politically stranded populace in the then impoverished country of Bangladesh (east of India, Bay of Bengal).

Although the money and proceeds would notoriously become embroiled in rather ugly red-tape and poor distribution long after those helpless people needed it – it was a gallant and brave effort by the former Beatle long before Bob Geldof did 'Live Aid' for Ethiopia and the all-star 'We Are The World' song and album project that followed-on from that in the USA. This time around (2005) The George Harrison Fund For UNICEF is involved (logo in the booklet and the rear of the clamshell box) and the bulk of sales/proceeds go to many countries in crisis – thereby carrying on the quiet Beatle's fervent wishes.

The band famously featured Eric Clapton (off the back of Cream, Blind Faith and Derek & The Dominoes), Bob Dylan, Drummer Jim Keltner, Keyboardists and Singers Billy Preston and Leon Russell, Sitar Player Ravi Shankar, his old mucker and Drummer pal from The Fabs Ringo Starr, Bassist Klaus Voormann (of Revolver fame), Horn player Jim Horn alongside vocal boosting American Singers like Claudia Lennear, Marlin and Jeanie Green, Don Nix and Dolores Hall. Most of the British band Badfinger – Pete Ham, Tom Evans and Joey Molland (only Mike Gibbons was absent) - lent subtle acoustic guitars too (Badfinger were on Apple Records at the time and would issue their superb "Straight Up" album in December 1971 too in the USA, January 1972 in the UK – the same release schedule as "The Concert For Bangladesh"). 

And the music had Beatles classics George wrote, large dollops of the best from his 3LP 1970 Box Set "All Things Must Pass" (shame though he didn't do "Isn't It A Pity", my favourite track) and Bob Dylan songs on CD2 from his excellent set. This Remixed 2CD Clamshell Box Set even comes with an unissued Dylan track which finds him in great voice – a genuine rediscovery. To the collaborative details…

EU and UK released 25 October 2005 - "The Concert For Bangladesh" by GEORGE HARRISON And Friends on Sony BMG-Epic-Apple 82876729862 (Barcode 828767298627) is a 2CD Clamshell Box Set of Remixes and Remasters with New Front Cover Artwork, a (Truncated) 36-Page Booklet and a Bonus Track on CD2 featuring Unreleased Bob Dylan. It plays outs as follows:

CD1 (51:32 minutes):
1. Introduction by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar
2. Bangla Dhun 
3. Wah-Wah
4. My Sweet Lord
5. Awaiting On You All
6. That's The Way God Planned It
7. It Don't Come Easy 
8. Beware Of Darkness
9. Band Introduction (by George Harrison)
10. While My Guitar Gently Weeps

CD2 (48:00 minutes):
1. Medley: Jumpin' Jack Flash/Young Blood
2. Here Comes The Sun 
3. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall 
4. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
5. Blowin' In The Wind
6. Mr. Tambourine Man
7. Just Like A Woman
8. Something
9. Bangla Desh (Live)

ADDITIONAL TRACK:
10. Love Minus Zero/No Limit

Originally US released 20 December 1971 as a 3LP Live Box Set on Apple STCX 3385 (7 January 1972 in the UK with the same catalogue number) - "The Concert For Bangla Desh" went to No. 1 – a placing better than the 3LP set "All Things Must Pass" had done at the tail end of 1970. However, the July 1991 US 2CD reissue has always had the worst of reputations – a truncated booklet that almost halved the impact of the initial 65-page LP-Sized Booklet and worse - rubbish sound. 

So here in October 2005 (almost four years after Harrison's sad passing in November 2001) - three Abbey Road stalwarts are involved in the Audio brush-up. ALLAN ROUSE and PAUL HICKS remixed the tapes while STEVE ROOKE did the Master/Remaster – names that appeared across nearly 20 Apple CD reissues and further into The Beatles catalogue in 2009 and beyond. 

And what a difference a trio makes – suddenly the veil has been lifted and there is power and far more clarity. The Box Cover is changed to a photo of George with guitar – while the starving child in front of an almost empty bowl (the original artwork) is inside on the cover of the booklet and on both the CD card sleeves (see photos provided). The August 1971 US concert poster is reproduced alongside snaps of Producer Phil Spector and track-by-track credit pages listing who played on what. A good effort – to the songs…
 
Admittedly the six-minute intro now tests your patience, but the sixteen-minute Indian Instrumental fest that is "Bangla Dhun" is not only a real introduction of World Music to an International arena but also timely (leave your egos at the door) and beautiful. Musicians on the Ravi Shankar written piece play Tabla (Ustad Alla Rakah), Sitar (Ravi Shankar), Tambura (Kamala Chakravarty) and Sarod (Ustad Ali Akbar Khan). Billy Preston who had duetted with The Beatles on the 'Let It Be' Sessions and was also on their Apple label at the time sings his "That's The Way God Planned It". Ringo Starr does a fab vocal and drums job on his single of the moment "It Don't Come Easy" – such a tune - while American Shelter Records hoodoo man Leon Russell joined George for duet vocals on "Beware Of Darkness" (Jim Horn also on Saxophone). Leon Russell did get some ego-flack (and still does) for hogging the vocals on his double-cover-version medley that opens CD2 – Don Preston also on Guitar and Vocals with Carl Radle of Derek & The Dominoes on Bass. But it is still a kick-ass performance. 

Speaking of boot-tapping and Eric – EC joined (not surprisingly) George on twin Lead Guitars for the 'White Album' epic "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" much to the rapture of the huge audience. Clapton is also Lead Guitar on "Wah-Wah", "My Sweet Lord" and "Awaiting On You". Pete Ham of Badfinger joins George Harrison on a lovely Acoustic version of the "Abbey Road" gem "Here Comes The Sun" while both Beatles Ringo Starr and George Harrison alongside Leon Russell (on Bass) joined Dylan on stage (Sings, plays Acoustic and Harmonica) for a quadruple Bob-whammy of his Sixties nuggets - "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall", "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry", "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Just Like A Woman". George brings it all to a close with the Abbey Road stunner "Something" while Jim Horn once again lends a Saxophone hand for the live version of "Bangla Desh". 

But it must be said that it's a bit of a major boo-boo not including the studio recorded Single Mix of "Bangla Desh" as a second Additional Track – apparently it is still only available on an old 'Best Of' or an Expensive Whole Catalogue Box Set.

Compensating big time however is an outtake from the afternoon show – a live version of "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" with the band that consisted of Leon Russell, Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr. What a find – Bob Dylan in great voice and form – confident – not tired of playing the same old same old for fans.

For an album that reached No.1 (advance sales of over 3-million dollars) and made such an impact at the time (good and bad publicity) and that even Harrison himself parodied in one of his movies – it surprises me that the musical content of "The Concert For Bangla Desh" has been all but forgotten. 

Well, I would argue that two Beatles on the same stage (had not been so since 1966 in the USA) and Dylan et al in great form (it was his first appearance in five years) – Eric playing so fluidly – Billy and Leon adding a bit of colour and a decent set of tunes from when the mainman was actually Fab – then this is a rediscovery worth seeking out. And how we miss GH still…