I know that we have some jazzheads here like Jeff, MadMax, dylan, Drewdog, and others. I have a question, one that is more a perception one I guess, than anything else: What is your thoughts on George Benson? I for the longest time thought he was just a R&B singer (the "Turn Your Love Around" guy) and was absolutely amazed when I really got into jazz music, that this guy is a guitar legend. Lately, all I have been buying is jazz and I recently got "Red Clay" by Freddie Hubbard. If you like hard bop and don't have this album, get it NOW! Not only does it have Freddie but it also has Joe Henderson on tenor sax, Herbie Hancock (one of my all-time favorites) on piano (a couple of cuts it is electric), Ron Carter on bass, and a very underrated drummer named Lenny White. This version has a bonus track, an alternate version of "Red Clay" and features Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine (in place of Henderson), Johnny Hammond (in place of Hancock), Carter, Billy Cobham (in place of White), Airto Moreira (percussion), and the aforementioned Benson on guitar. This track might be the single best jazz track I have ever heard. Buying this album is worth it just for the alternate version. Damn, does it cook! Anyway, I did some further research on Benson and saw that his big commercial breakthrough album was "Breezin'", released in '76. It was soon after that album that he started doing vocal stuff in the genre of R&B and pop. I have heard some call him "easy listening" and a Kenny G type. There is no denying his phenomenal guitar playing, but what are the Benson albums to own - strictly from a jazz point of view? Also, what are his best albums overall (regardless if it is jazz or R&B or whatever)? His versatility sorta reminds me of Herbie Hancock. I recently got "Sextant" and if you are a fan at all of electronica/ambient music, you must own this album. The sounds on this album remind me of something you would hear from outer space. I definitely need to get "Future Shock" as well as many of his early Blue Note stuff (I already have "Maiden Voyage", "Empryean Isles", "Head Hunters", and "Thrust"). I think my sig says it best about Herbie. Anyway, appreciate any info/opinions on Benson as well as Herbie.
From Benson's early work these are the albums I have and love! Very be-bop oriented and just a lot of fun! It's Uptown 1965 Shape of Things to Come 1968 Beyond the Blue Horizon 1971
George Benson is a great jazz musician who "went pop" to make cash. To me, his career eerily parallels Nat King Cole's career. Few people remember that Cole was a virtuoso jazz pianist.
I have "Talkin Verve" which is basically Benson with Miles Davis' band in the late 60's. http://www.buy.com/retail/players/product.asp?sku=60211095&loc=109&sp=1 You HAVE to check out a guy named Lenny Breau. One of the best Jazz guitarist ever. http://www.guitarchives.com/lenny.htm "He is one of the true geniuses of the guitar. I suppose he is a musician's musician. His knowledge of the instrument and the music is so vast, and I think that's what knocks people out about him. But he's such a tasty player too. I think if Chopin had played guitar, he would have sounded like Lenny Breau." -Chet Atkins "He dazzled me with his extraordinary guitar playing... I wish the world had the opportunity to experience his artistry." -George Benson
benson is a really good guitarist, I dont really like his later vocal r&b stuff though. It is sorta kenny g. I do know he recorded some stuff with Miles Davis and Jimmy Smith. he was also part of the Harlem Underground Band which recorded the highly sampled song "Cheeba Cheeba" People like beasties boys, tone loc and Cut chemist have sampled that song. Check it out.
mc mark, I actually had put down Beyond the Blue Horizon as a Benson album to get, mainly because AMG acted like it was his best album. But thanks for listing the other 2 albums - that is what I was hoping to get out of this thread - what are the best Benson albums to buy from a pure jazz point (I do have to admit that I broke down and bought some greatest hits collection of his that has "Breezin'" and "Turn Your Love Around" mainly because I can't get those 2 songs out of my head!). Tex, Yea, I saw that on AMG as they mentioned Nat King Cole as a comparison to Benson. I would have never guessed that - learn something new every day. Bob, Yea, I will have to check out Lenny Breau and also the Benson album you have as I am a big fan of Miles' 2nd Quintet (I am actually listening to "Workin' With the Miles Davis Quintet" as I am typing this - how is that for irony?). A buddy of mine that I work out with that plays guitar in a band was telling me about a guy named Stanley Jordan. Said he has a CD where Stanley is playing a jazz version of "Stairway to Heaven" but he is playing BOTH parts - the vocal part on one guitar and the rhythm part on another guitar! Talking about jazz guitar has me curious on what people feel are their favorites. I would have to go with Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, John McLaughlin, and Kenny Burrell. I would have more but I am only going on what I have (even though I throw McLaughlin in because of his work with Miles). Anybody own anything by Joe Pass? If you do, what are your thoughts on him?
I know next to nothing about Benson, but I do see this album listed on emusic.com. Hardly sounds like his best, but it won't cost you much. The New Boss Guitar of George Benson "Discounting a pair of vocals made when he was 11 years old, this is George Benson's first recording as a leader. In 1964, he was sideman and rapidly developing guitarist in the versatile combo of organist Jack McDuff, and it is McDuff's band that backs Benson here. McDuff has been quoted as saying that Benson was so raw when he hired him that although he could play the blues, he didn't know any complete tune. By the time of his album, Benson the fast learner had eliminated that deficiency, as can be plainly heard in the two standards here. He still had some developing to do, but he had become the peer of McDuff and the veteran tenor saxophonist Red Holloway, quite an accomplishment for a young man of 21. " from: http://www.emusic.com/cd/10604/10604542.html If you already use emu, the 8 tracks on the album will only cost you about $2. If haven't used emu before, you could download them as part of their 50 song free trial.
I bought a Miles Davis Box Set of the Quintet years, '65-'68. It's all unreleased stuff. 6 CD's in all. Really good stuff. I made a Stanley Jordan CD (downloaded and burned it) of about 15 of his songs including Stairway to Heaven. They always play his song "Tropical Storm" on the weather channel. It's ok, but to be honest, Lenny Breau blows him away, as he does Joe Pass as well. I have heard Lenny playing 3 parts at once on several songs on a CD that was recorded Live. He does an incredible version of Miles Davis' "All Blues" on the Live CD and it's just him and a standup bass. No drums, no keyboards, no horns, it's really amazing stuff.
The "Boss Guitar" album is good, but nothing astounding. For real boss guitar, buy everything Grant Green ever played on. Even the crazy, disco-y fusion stuff from the 70s.
