[Categories: Albums, Musical advocacy groups, Music festivals]
The Concert For Bangladesh was the event title for two concerts held on the afternoon and evening of August 1, 1971, playing to a total of 40,000 people at (Click link for more info and facts about Madison Square Garden) Madison Square Garden in (A Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies) New York.
As (A Muslim republic in southern Asia bordered by India to the north and west and east and the Bay of Bengal to the south; formerly part of India and then part of Pakistan; it achieved independence in 1971) East Pakistan struggled to become the separate state of (A Muslim republic in southern Asia bordered by India to the north and west and east and the Bay of Bengal to the south; formerly part of India and then part of Pakistan; it achieved independence in 1971) Bangladesh, tremendous political and military turmoil led to a massive (An exile who flees for safety) refugee problem. This problem was compounded by torrential rains causing devastating floods and threatening a humanitarian disaster.Bengali musician (Indian sitar player who popularized classical Indian music in the West (born in 1920)) Ravi Shankar consulted his friend (English rock star; lead guitarist of the Beatles (1943-2001)) George Harrison regarding a means of providing help to the situation. Harrison recorded the single "Bangladesh" to help raise awareness and pushed (Click link for more info and facts about Apple Records) Apple Records to release Shankar's single "Joi Bangla" in a dual-pronged effort to raise funds.
Shankar also asked Harrison's advice regarding a small fund-raising concert in the (North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776) United States. Instead, Harrison took over and persuaded his friends to join him at a large concert at Madison Square Garden. The event was organised within five weeks.
Harrison first asked his fellow (A rock group from Liverpool who between 1962 and 1970 produced a variety of hit songs and albums (most of it written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon)) Beatles to appear. (English rock star and guitarist and songwriter who with Paul McCartney wrote most of the music for the Beatles (1940-1980)) John Lennon was going to play but left New York two days beforehand in a fit when Harrison insisted (United States musician (born in Japan) who married John Lennon and collaborated with him on recordings (born in 1933)) Yoko Ono would not be able to join them onstage. (English rock star and bass guitarist and songwriter who with John Lennon wrote most of the music for the Beatles (born in 1942)) Paul McCartney declined because of the bad feelings caused by the Beatles' legal problems on their break-up. (Rock star and drummer for the Beatles (born in 1940)) Ringo Starr, however, readily agreed to appear.
Shankar opened the concert with a 25-minute recital of Indian music. (Click link for more info and facts about Eric Clapton) Eric Clapton made his first public appearance since the end of the five-month (Click link for more info and facts about Derek and the Dominos) Derek and the Dominos tour the previous December. Clapton was still in the grip of a (A narcotic that is considered a hard drug; a highly addictive morphine derivative; intravenous injection provides the fastest and most intense rush) heroin addiction, and partook of his habit before going onstage. The heroin had been cut with talcum powder and Clapton collapsed on stage. A doctor was able to revive him, and Clapton continued the performance.
Musical help was also on hand from (Click link for more info and facts about Billy Preston) Billy Preston, (Click link for more info and facts about Leon Russell) Leon Russell, (Click link for more info and facts about Klaus Voormann) Klaus Voormann and (Click link for more info and facts about Badfinger) Badfinger (along with Jim Horn, Carl Radle, Jesse Ed Davis, Don Preston and a host of backing singers organized by (Click link for more info and facts about Don Nix) Don Nix).
(United States songwriter noted for his protest songs (born in 1941)) Bob Dylan made his first stage appearance since the (Click link for more info and facts about Isle of Wight Festival) Isle of Wight Festival in August 1969. Apart from sitting in for a few numbers with (Click link for more info and facts about The Band) The Band on New Year 1972, he did not play live again until January 1974.
The event was recorded for an album and released as a triple- (A long-playing phonograph record; designed to be played at 33.3 rpm) LP box set (later a 2- (A debt instrument issued by a bank; usually pays interest) CD set), produced by Harrison and (Click link for more info and facts about Phil Spector) Phil Spector. This record was Dylan's first official live release. The concert was also filmed, although Harrison later complained that half the camera operators appeared to have been indulging in illegal substances, which left the focus of some shots rather soft. There was a theatrical release for the film and it was later issued on video.
The 2-CD set was re-released in 2001 and Harrison had been working on an expanded deluxe edition prior to his death but there has been no news of any release date so far (as of Feb. 2003).
The longplay number singer(s) / player(s) title m:ss
1 .1 George Harrison / Ravi Shankar Introduction ( Text ) 6:16
.2 R.Shankar/A.Khan/A.Rakah/K.Chakravarty Bangla Dhun 16:19
2 .1 George Harrison Wah-Wah 3:15
.2 My Sweet Lord 4:16
.3 Awaiting On You All 2:37
.4 Billy Preston That's The Way God Planned It 4:05
number singer(s) / player(s) title m:ss
3 .1 Richard Starkey ( = Ringo Star ) It Don't Come Easy 2:38
.2 George Harrison / Leon Russell / Jim Horn Beware Of Darkness 3:26
.3 Introduction Of The Band ( Text ) 3:00
.4 George Harrison / Eric Clapton While My Guitar Gently Weeps 4:39
4 .1 Leon Russell / Carl Radle / Don Preston Jumping Jack Flash 9:11
Leon Russell / Don Preston Youngblood
.2 George Harrison / Pete Ham Here Comes The Sun 2:51
number singer(s) / player(s) title m:ss
5 .1 Bob Dylan
Leon Russell
George Harrison
Richard Starkey A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall 5:04
.2 It Takes A Lot To Laugh / It Takes A Train To Cry 2:54
.3 Blowin' In The Wind 3:34
.4 Mr. Tambourine Man 4:06
.5 Just Like A Woman 4:14
6 .1 George Harrison Something 3:05
.2 George Harrison / Jim Horn Bangla Desh 4:14
