RSS 2.0 FeedFebruary 24, 2011, Bellmore Life
The mystical journey of George Harrison
A musical tribute to George Harrison.
Indian Kirtan musical ensemble – Ivica Simatovic, keyboard; Aniruddh Rai, sarod (Aniruddh’s father Vasant Rai taught Harrison the Sitar when Aniruddh was a youngster); Sundar Das, Bansuri flute; and Rajeev Kumar, tabla.
“Here Comes the Sun – The Mystical Journey of George Harrison” at Hofstra University was a spiritual musical journey opening the eyes of the audience to the life of George Harrison.
Before the show began, one of the nation’s leading Indian kirtan musical ensembles played meditation music with Sundar Das on the Bansuri flute, Aniruddh Rai on the sarod, Ivica Simatovic on the keyboard and Rajeev Kumar on the tabla.
Joshua Greene, Hofstra Hinduism instructor – based on his best-selling book “Here Comes the Sun” – took the audience inside the ’60s to reveal the trials, triumphs and spiritual life of the singer/songwriter and Beatle George Harrison.
Godfrey Townsend and other musicians from the Alan Parsons Project: John Montagna, bass guitar; Tommy Williams, guitarist/keyboards; and Michael Bellusci, drums.
Opening the tribute with “Here Comes the Sun” were Godfrey Townsend and other musicians from the Alan Parsons Project: John Montagna, bass guitar; Tommy Williams, guitarist/keyboards; and Michael Bellusci, drums.
Mr. Greene accompanied the band playing the tambourine. He introduced George Harrison, born in 1943, with slides beginning as a boy, the youngest of four, who began playing the guitar at age of 12. He told of how he was influenced by Elvis and Haley and the Comets.
The tribute continued through the Beatles era describing how Harrison’s life came to overwhelm him. With thousands of fans breaking through barriers and choking airports, the press called the hysteria Beatlemania. From 1961-1965 the Beatles had 12 world tours. Harrison began to feel there was more too life than all this hysteria and scrutiny.
In 1965 Harrison came upon the sitar and was intrigued by its unusual shape and dozens of strings. He purchased one and by 1967 was studying under Ravi Shankar. He spent time in India studying spiritual philosophy, Indian music, meditation and yoga.
Mr. Greene described and brought to life each step of Harrison’s new influences with the Godfrey Townsend Band playing songs from “All Things Must Pass,” “The Concert for Bangladesh” and the “Dark Horse” albums, all accompanied with slides.
As Harrison’s life changed he believed the soul always remains the same, only the body changes. Accepting his fate with cancer and filled with spiritual compassion, he died in peace and acceptance in November 2001, at the age of 58. “Love one another” were his last words.
As an extra bonus, after the slide show The Godfrey Townsend Band had the audience laughing, singing and reminiscing with stories, and more Beatles and George Harrison songs.
Everyone knew the words.
