| When a friend asks for help, wonderful things can happen. |
East Pakistan and West Pakistan were one country separated by India and culture. Operation Searchlight, a brutal crackdown by West Pakistan forces on the rising tide of political upheaval and cultural differences, led to the start of the Bangla Desh Liberation War on March 26. By December, East Pakistan had won their freedom and became the independent country of Bangla Desh.
The effect of the war left thousands of refugees stranded in India and, with a recent cyclone adding to the problem, became a humanitarian disaster. Ravi Shankar asked his good friend if there was some way he could help. Both Harrison and Shankar released singles (Bangla Desh.jpg) and Joi Bangla ) to increase public awareness of the problem and plans were started to hold a small fund-raising concert in New York. George asked a few of his friends and the rest, as they say, is history (first stage appearance by George since 1966, first stage apperance by Dylan since Isle Of Wight in 1970).
Two concerts held on Aug 1 at Madison Square Garden resulted in one 3-LP box set (with 64 page booklet) released near Christmas and a film the following spring (3/72). The first rock concert to raise money for a charity was not without its problems (primarily caused by greedy rich a*holes) and details can be found at the links. Capitol had to be publically shamed to get the record set out by Christmas.
Notes: The country's name is now officially "Bangladesh" (one word). Joan Baez also recorded a charity single to support those in need.
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The Concert For Bangla Desh |
| Apple STCX-3385 | |
| 12/20/71 BB [UK: 1/10/72] #1 | |
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  stunning photos. Some of these photos became album covers! Look for 'em!   |
 Side One | ||
| George Harrison & Ravi Shankar | Introduction | 6:16 |
| Ravi Shankar | Bangla Dhun | 16:19 |
| Side Two | ||
| George Harrison | Wah-Wah | 3:15 |
| George Harrison | My Sweet Lord | 4:16 |
| George Harrison | Awaiting On You All | 2:37 |
| Billy Preston | That's The Way God Planned It | 4:05 |
| Side Three | ||
| Ringo Starr | It Don't Come Easy | 2:38 |
| George Harrison & Leon Russell | Beware Of Darkness | 3:26 |
| George Harrison | Introduction Of The Band | 3:00 |
| George Harrison | While My Guitar Gently Weeps | 4:39 |
| Side Four | ||
| Leon Russell | Jumpin' Jack Flash/Youngblood | 9:11 |
| George Harrison & Pete Ham | Here Comes The Sun | 2:51 |
| Side Five | ||
| Bob Dylan | A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall | 5:04 |
| Bob Dylan | It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry | 2:54 |
| Bob Dylan | Blowin' In The Wind | 3:34 |
| Bob Dylan | Mr Tambourine Man | 4:06 |
| Bob Dylan | Just Like A Woman | 4:14 |
| Side Six | ||
| George Harrison | Something | 3:05 |
| George Harrison | Bangla Desh | 4:14 |
Concert section:
George Harrison-guitars, vocals
Eric Clapton-lead guitar
Jesse Ed Davis-rhythm guitar
Billy Preston-organ
Leon Russell-piano
Klaus Voorman-bass
Ringo Starr-drums
Jim Keltner-drums
with:
Don Preston-lead guitar, vocals (Jumpin' Jack Flash/Youngblood)
Carl Radle-bass (Jumpin' Jack Flash/Youngblood)
and:
Badfinger:
Pete Ham-acoustic guitar
Tom Evans-twelve-string acoustic guitar
Joey Molland-acoustic guitar
Mike Gibbins-tambourine, maracas
plus:
The Hollywood Horns: Jim Horn, Allan Beutler, Chuck Findley, Jackie Kelso, Lou McCreary, Ollie Mitchell
The Soul Choir: Don Nix, Jo Green, Jeanie Greene, Marlin Greene, Dolores Hall, Claudia Linnear
Acoustic section (side five):
Bob Dylan-guitar, harmonica, vocals
George Harrison-guitar, vocals
Ringo Starr-tambourine
Leon Russell-bass (using Klaus Voorman's hand-painted bass)
§Cover Art-Camouflage Productions (Tom Wilkes & Barry Feinstein)
Produced by: George Harrison & Phil Spector
Note: Only post-production "sweetening" are Leon's remix of his medley and George double-tracking his vocal on Wah-Wah.
All performances are from the evening show, except the second half of Wah-Wah and While My Guitar...
Leon's medley uses matinee for album and a mix for the film.
Ravi Shankar's piece may have been edited from a much longer performance (varies from 30 to 45 minuters—nobody is sure)
More about the packaging and artwork @ wiki 
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50th Update: See the complete 64-page booklet @ 45worlds .
| 2005 DVD Edition Besides a nicely done (for the time) transfer of the film, there are many documentary goodies on disc two. Including Bob & George duetting on "If Not For You" during the rehearsal. And the matinee performance of "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" which Bob pulled in favor of "Mr Tamborine Man" for the evening show. The deluxe edition (see 3rd note above) had photos, a repro of the box office sign (you can see that above) and some other stuff. |
Links!
Official web site