Send "George Benson " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Popmatters |
 Like Murphy, Benson was tops in his field ... a while back. Murphy was one of the most hilarious talents of his time. In clubs, on Saturday Night Live, and then in a series of movies that allowed Murphy to do his thing, Eddie Murphy was the coolest, funniest cat in entertainment.At his best, Benson is one of the greatest jazz guitarists, a guy of brilliant technique and style, a master. And there was a time when Benson dazzled regularly, applying his fantastic playing to music that was worthy of his talent. Just as Murphy had an imposing predecessor in Richard Pryor, George Benson modeled himself after Wes Montgomery. But both of the younger guys also had their own thing, a smoother way with an audience that propelled to huge stardom. Murphy had Beverly Hill Cops, and Benson had Breezin’ and “On Broadway”. But for both Benson and Murphy, it all went sour. Murphy’s story might be summed up thusly: The Klumps. His decline from edgy to horrific might be easier to take if he didn’t still occasionally do great work. As a result, his recent mediocrity feels more like betrayal than failure. George Benson’s trajectory feels the same way to jazz fans. Benson’s playing with grooving organ groups in the 1960s was superb (The New Boss Guitar, for example with Jack McDuff), and his appearance as a guest of Miles Davis on Miles in the Sky was pure intrigue. His appearances on CTI records in the 1970s may have been tainted some by the era, but few can dispute that his playing was wickedly fine on Beyond the Blue Horizon or even the more soul-oriented Good King Bad. And most jazz fans loved his Warner Brothers debut Breezin’, which made him a vocal star because of his version of “This Masquerade”....full text |
| Jazzreview |
| After a number of recent recordings that were average at best, George Benson has released his best recording in well over a decade. Guitar Man reminds everyone that George Benson used to be considered the finest guitarist of his generation. An exceptional melodic improviser of the highest level and refinement, Benson plays his heart out, and the result will most certainly be one of the top 10 discs of not just this year, but probably this coming decade. On the solo electric guitar version of "Tenderly," which opens the disc, we are instantly reminded of just how much of a monster Benson is on his guitar. While his previous recording of this tune, with McCoy Tyner among others on the 1989 disc of the same title, is a wonderful musical statement, here Benson shows not just chops but also a boatload of taste in his whisperingly beautiful translucent lines. Dashing up scales here and flying down harmonically driven conceptualizations there, his ample technique is always subservient to the musical intent. Here, instead of a small combo as on the 1989 recording, Benson lays out the melody with a wonderfully warm and eloquent solo rendition which serves as an incredible introduction to the festivities that follow. On Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour" Benson's soulfully laced vocals are the perfect accent to his guitar in the same way his vocals served the same function back on 1976's "This Masquerade" from Breezin'. Not aiming for a pop hit, his perfectly intoned vocal phrases work to bring out the lyric's concepts rather than forcing the issue as he did on many of his more recently recorded vocalisms. The result, because of its heartfelt performance, may well be a hit; audiences always recognize truthfulness, and this cut has it in aces. On the incredible instrumental version of "I Want To Hold Your Hand," easily the best single track Benson has recorded in over two decades, the med-tempo ballad tempo swings with a delight so many of today's young jazz firebrands can't even begin to approach. The backing strings don't just remind one of his monster instrumental hit "Breezin'," they even quote it at one point. Benson has always had a great feeling for Lennon/McCartney material, witness his wonderful 1970 The Other Side Of Abbey Road recording. Throughout this cut Benson plays blues-scale influenced lines that linger in the mind well past the end of the multiple repeated playings of this track you will program into your CD player....full text |
| Guitarinternational |
| I had initially thought to start this review with a statement that George Benson needs no introduction to the reader, but after receiving blank stares when I mentioned this recording to a few of my university guitar students, I have reconsidered that thought. George Benson is a true chameleon, but mostly one of the finest jazz guitarists of all time. His masterful interpretation of pop tunes and jazz standards has long been a source of inspiration to aspiring musicians. He has been active for over five decades and has over 30 recordings as leader, and to top it off, he’s been awarded ten Grammy awards. His ability to cross over into the “commercial” arena while still maintaining a quality improvisational approach is matched only by the late Wes Montgomery. Benson’s moving vocal stylings are developed from his terrific sense of instrumental phrasing, and they are equally impressive. Click to buy George Benson: Guitar Man from Amazon Guitar Man finds him back in a mostly instrumental setting. Beginning with a beautiful solo rendition of “Tenderly,” his technical prowess is right up front. In a full orchestral setting, the classic Beatles tune “I Want To Hold Your Hand” follows, presented in a bossa nova feel. There are also a couple of vocal tracks on the album. “My Cherie Amour” includes a good dose of Benson’s signature scat singing, while “My One and Only Love” moves from a solo guitar intro into a moving vocal treatment by Benson. Other selections included are “Paper Moon,” “Since I Fell For You,” “Naima,” “Lady In My Life” and “Don’t Know Why,” and each track is a joy to behold. The presentations include both small group and lush orchestral arrangements, and in either setting Benson is completely comfortable and at the top of his game. The musicians surrounding Benson are both veteran players and newcomers. The core group includes Joe Sample on piano, musical director and keyboardist David Garfield, Ben Williams on bass and drummer Harvey Mason. Each performer contributes the perfect complement to Benson whether in a supporting or solo role....full text |
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