Handled with care

even most of the Monty Python gang (sportingly joined by Tom Hanks in a Mountie's uniform for The Lumberjack Song), trooped on stage to deliver versions of Harrison's best-known songs.

With the minimum of camera jiggery-pokery, David Leland does a fine job of interspersing backstage chat and gentle reminiscence with the main point of the evening: the songs. Something, For You Blue, Handle with Care, plus a real kick-ass version of Carl Perkins's Honey Don't are all rendered with great care and affection. The whole evening, from the moment Harrison's widow, Olivia, walked on stage to light a candle, was clearly suffused with good will and exquisite musicianship.

The concert moves imperceptibly, one might almost say organically, towards the climax when the modest Clapton finally lets rip on a duct-welling version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

Of the many curious sights on stage, few were more poignant than Harrison's son, Dhani, whose resemblance to his father is spooky; and few more amusing than Tom Petty's lead guitarist who bore an uncanny resemblance to Ken Dodd. How appropriate that they played Taxman.