Tuesday, February 12, 2013

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"


That song is one of George Harrison's most beloved and frequently-covered melodies.  While browsing the blogosphere today, I came across an embedded YouTube rendition of it at C W Swanson's place.  It was recorded in 2004 at a ceremony during which Harrison was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, performed by a celebrity ensemble including George's son Dhani, with an extended guitar solo by Prince.  Other artists included Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, Steve Ferrone and Marc Mann.  Mr. Swanson says of it:

I post the video below in reaction to the current trend to lip sync performances, as Prince, of all people, simply burns his guitar up here, showing how a real live performance can explode with real talent on the stage.  Too bad we have way too many pretenders these days.





I have to agree, Prince's guitar solo is spectacular . . . but my favorite rendition of 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' is still the version performed at the 'Concert for George', one year to the day after his death.





I think George Harrison would probably have approved of both performances.

Peter

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7 comments:

  1. Jeff F.February 13, 2013 at 12:53 AM

    Both magnificent, especially Clapton.
    Here's a version I've found quite moving...
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puSkP3uym5k

    Jeff

    ReplyDelete
  2. Old NFOFebruary 13, 2013 at 5:09 AM

    Gotta be Clapton...

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2013 at 7:30 AM

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr7v5lLQhHQ

    One of my favorite versions, because it is a surprise how well it is done.But then that show was always very well done.

    LittleRed1

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    Clapton.

    Gerry

    ReplyDelete
  5. trailbeeFebruary 13, 2013 at 9:57 PM

    I stole the second version from you and added George's version. The first version would not allow me to play it. No matter. This is really nice. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Murphy's LawFebruary 13, 2013 at 11:43 PM

    The Clapton/McCartney piece was pure gold.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ScottFebruary 14, 2013 at 12:08 AM

    First youtube link doesn't wanna play, 'blocked on copyright grounds'.

    But http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y does work.

    Prince has got to be one of the greatest guitar players around, and I don't hand out high praise lightly. I'm going to have to disagree with you on the 'Concert for George', I think Prince was really making his guitar weep for George in that solo.

    ReplyDelete

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