The Concert for New York City (2001)

On October 20, 2001, this now-historic concert took place at Madison Square Garden, a mere six weeks after the horrific terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Thousands of firefighters, police officers, survivors, families, and fans witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime event as, in the space of nearly six hours, many legendary musical performers donated their time and their talent to one of the greatest causes ever, in the process giving their audience an unforgettable burst of pure emotion.

Organized by Sir Paul McCartney, the Concert for New York City was an overwhelming experience that deserves to be saved for posterity. The two-CD audio recording is crammed with dozens of superb performances but doesn't give a sense of the whole show that this two-DVD set certainly does. Not only can we relive such seminal performers from that evening as the Who, David Bowie, John Mellencamp, and Sir Paul himself, we can see the charming and personal short films made for the occasion by such New York filmmakers as Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese, or the dozens of celebrities and unsung firefighters and police officers who immortalized that day with their stories and musical introductions.

There is one quibble: the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris," one of the blues standards Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy played, and McCartney's "From a Lover to a Friend" and "Lonely Road" are all missing, which seems curious, considering that the entire show could have easily fit onto two DVDs. So don't erase that videotape you made of the concert the night it aired, because that remains the definitive version. But this DVD (with very good Dolby 5.1 surround sound) comes close. --Kevin Filipski Amazon.com

Worth every cent-especially considering where the $ goes

I've read the negative reviews of this DVD and I think they totally miss the point. I am not sure why the DVD was edited with performances eliminated,(I can assume why Hilary's segment was edited) HOWEVER, the Robin Hood Foundation which was responsible for raising money, and to which proceeds from your purchase will go, was and I believe still is the only charity to give the money to families suffering losses from 9/11. I wish I could remember where I had read about it, but so many charities failed to deliver funds they had raised. Bottom line, your money is actually going to help people buy purchasing this.

The concert itself mesmerized me when I watched a rebroadcast on VH1 around Christmas 2001. This concert was organized and put on less than two months from the tragedy, and if you watch it today, remembering that, you can't help but tear up with the joy and sorrow experienced by the crowd when shots are displayed of them experiencing the show.

The Who was phenomenal and my favorite part. I also want to credit Melissa Etheridge's solo accoustic version of Bruce Springsteen's Born To Run. There are some performances I don't really care for, but again-the money is well spent for what you get and where those dollars go. January 2, 2009

NYC and the US appreciation

What a fine collection of musicians paying tribute to firemen and police in the aftermath of 9/11. November 29, 2008

Best Ever

If you are a crazy old ( or new but old taste ) fan of music, this it's your choice .. great music with the best spirit ever seen of those old ( not really to old ) times ..

Recomended ! July 14, 2008

This concert brought tears to my eyes.......

I had been looking for this CD/DVD for a long time because I couldn't remember the name of it. My sister had taped it as it happened the night it aired on TV and sent it to me when I was in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia. My unit was being issued orders for Iraq that same day and to see this while we were in country, it really brought tears to my eyes and just about every other Marine in our hut that night. I love this concert. I'll never forget what it meant to me and the guy's in the unit. Everybody needs to see this over and over so that we will never forget!! May 2, 2008

Won't Get Fooled Again

I don't have this DVD, but I saw the concert on VH1 when it was originally broadcast. For me, The Who performing "Won't Get Fooled Again" was perhaps the most emotionally impactful rock and roll moment I've ever had. Maybe I was still very emotional about the events on 9/11, but hearing Roger Daltry's defiant voice shouting those words with the video screen showing the Twin Towers above the stage charged me up like I've never been charged up before. Amazing. December 21, 2007

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