George Benson (1) (1943–)

I grew up listening to George Benson (and Luther Vandross), thanks to my mother, but had no idea that he's been in the music biz so long - or that he'd written his autobiography! George, and his ghostwriter Alan Goldsher, gives an entertaining account of his career - although he does talk about his childhood in Pittsburgh, and briefly mention two marriages, this is mostly about George's decades long career. Starting out as 'Little Georgie Benson' with his homemade guitar - eat your heart show more out, Brian May - George was a guitarist first and then a more radio-friendly vocalist ('I never liked the sound of my voice. It's got too much low end in it'). His first album, with the George Benson Quartet was in 1964! I had no idea. He has also worked with some equally famous names, from Miles Davis to Quincy Jones. The secret to his longevity is, 'Take the past to heart, then take it to the future'. George comes across as friendly and unfazed by fame, humbled by the many opportunities and collaborations that have made him a household name. A lovely man and great musician. show less

1 Turn Your Love Around
Producer – Jay Graydon
2 Love All The Hurt Away
Producer – Arif Mardin
3 Give Me The Night
Producer – Quincy Jones
4 Never Give Up On A Good Thing
Producer – Jay Graydon
5 On Broadway
6 White Rabbit
7 This Masquerade
8 Love Ballad
9 Nature Boy
10 Last Train To Clarksville
11 Livin' Inside Your Love
12 Here Comes The Sun
13 Breezin'
14 Moody's Mood
Producer – Quincy Jones
15 We Got The Love
Producer – Arif Mardin
Vocals – Chaka Khan
16 The Greatest Love Of All
Producer – show more Michael Masser show less

My favorite autobiography!

Product Details

* Audio CD (June 18, 2002)
* Number of Discs: 1
* Format: Original recording remastered
* Label: Sony
* ASIN: B000068D1F
* Average Customer Review: based on 5 reviews. (Write a review.)
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,410 in Music (See Top Sellers in Music)
Yesterday: #49,999 in Music

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1. Corazon Listen Listen
2. Wildflower Listen show more Listen
3. Mr. Blues Listen Listen
4. You've Got It Bad Girl Listen Listen
5. Good Morning Heartache Listen Listen
6. The Changing World Listen Listen
7. Take The "A" Train (bonus track) Listen Listen
8. Serbian Blue (bonus track) Listen Listen
9. From Now On (bonus track) Listen Listen
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Much like Nat King Cole in the 1950s, George Benson's crossover success in the '70s found the jazz musician stepping forward as an expressive singer and reaching a much wider pop audience. Yet he'd made numerous recordings already as a fully formed post-Wes Montgomery jazz guitarist. Recorded for the CTI label, Bad Benson is a smooth and funky affair. With the tandem guitars of Benson and Phil Upchurch taking center stage, there's rhythmic and tasteful interplay throughout. Paul Desmond's "Take Five" is a suitable opener, setting the tone for the laid-back grooves that follow. Favoring primarily originals, this CD reissue is expanded with a few additional covers from the sessions. Left off due to the time limitations of the original vinyl format, Billy Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train" simmers along with subtle relentlessness, while Don Sebesky's "Serbian Blue" is a moody take, full of late-night film noir mystery. --David Greenberger
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Essential Benson, March 29, 2003
Reviewer: Kurt Harding "bon vivant" (Boerne TX) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
The first five tracks are: Take Five; Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams; My Latin Brother; No Sooner Said Than Done; and Full Compass. The last four tracks are as listed.
I must confess that although George Benson is a pretty good singer, George Benson the jazz guitarist appeals to me far more than George Benson the vocalist. And as a jazz guitarist, most of his finest work was done while under contract to the famed CTI jazz label. Among the many fine albums he cut for CTI, Bad Benson ranks near the top.
There is a lot of great music on this CD which opens with an exuberant arrangement of Paul Desmond's Take Five that is among the best interpretations of that classic that I've heard. Other favorites from the original issue are inspired renditions of Benson's own My Latin Brother and the Phil Upchurch composition, No Sooner Said Than Done.
Two of the three bonus tracks really are "bonuses" that add immeasurably to the enjoyment of this recording. First, there is a fine rendition of the famed Take The "A" Train, but what really puts the CD over the top is a 13-minute jam written by CTI house arranger Don Sebesky called Serbian Blue. With Benson on lead, Phil Upchurch on rhythm, Kenny Barron on piano, Ron Carter on Bass, and Steve Gadd on drums, Serbian Blue becomes one of the finest extended jams of its time.
Bad Benson is definitely essential Benson. This is not only one of Benson's best CTI recordings, it is in the top five of all his recordings. If you are a George Benson fan and haven't heard this yet, you are in for a real treat. I recommend that you order it immediately.

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An appropriate title, December 7, 2005
Reviewer: bluesdoc05 "bluesdoc05" (Kansas) - See all my reviews
In the jazz vernacular, "bad" is a term for something toally hot and beyond "good". Such is the right description for this disc.
Of all the albums Benson recorded for CTI, this is my absolute favorite, and the one I would recommend to anyone interested in exploring his work for Creed Taylor.

At this point in his career, Benson's style was fully developed and on this album, an amalgam of bop, blues, funk, and Latin influences, you get to hear him at his best. Supremely confident and playing with incredible power and fluidity, Benson just tears through the material. The album starts off in high gear with an uptempo funkified version of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five". The sheer technical prowess Benson exhibits on this cut is exhilarating, yet never is his playing devoid of soul or complex harmonic ideas. "My Latin Brother", "Full Compass", and "No Sooner Said Than Done" are equally brillant. In fact there is simply not a weak track on the entire album.

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