Benson hedges not on Saturday Live

[Serial_Apologist]

In George Benson's contribution to this morning's Saturday Live, the famous Smoothe Jazz singer/guitarist promotes "Just Friends" - Bird's recording with strings, as the greatest-ever jazz improvisation, and Marvin Gaye's "Save the Children" as his two chosen recordings, and reminisces about his upbringing . At 1:03.50 in.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b02x58c6

RD Laing's son reminisces about his dad at various points in the programme

[Ian Thumwood]

S-A

There was a similar article in the Daily Express about a week ago where Benson was asked to nominate his favourite albums of all time. A Miles album and Marvin Gaye were selected as well as a recording Benson made with Stanley Turrentine.

George Benson is a curious musician. I actually first heard him on an LP where Benny Goodman reformed a sextet with the likes of Grady Tate and Ron Carter. At the time, this sounded amazing and Benson's playing was a huge appeal of this record. I think it was made in the mid 1970's but it seemed to place Goodman in a far more contemporary context than I think he ever worked with. At the time, Benson was at the height of his popular power but I never really checked him out much further. Within a couple of years I was into Frisell and Scofield and Benson's work in a jazz context almost seemed as long ago as Benny Goodman's!

My Dad used to have a CD Benson made in the late 60's which was very much in the Grant Green kind of vein. I like Green's playing but Benson has never seemed to be able to live up to his reputation - a bit like Stanley Jordan (rememebr him?)

I did see GB in concert about 6-7 years ago but it was largely his pop repertoire that got an airing and I walked out after about 30 minutes as I was so bored. There is very little jazz in wha he performs now and I think you are probably right to classify what he produces today as "Smooth Jazz." More "unforgiveable blandness" than the more famous quotation about Jack Johnson. The guitar has move on so much since Benson was at his peak that I don't thinke he's too worthwhile exploring albeit the disc with Goodman is interesting.

[Serial_Apologist]

Ian
I agree in general but do love "Blue Benson", quality-recorded on Polydor in 1968 with various personnel, but mainly Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Billy Cobham and Johnny Pacheco on drums and congas respectively. My favourite of all versions of "What's New" is on there with a two-chorus solo from Hancock to die for, and Benson sweping in on the tail of a final upward rush from the piano, and only one Soul number on an album of otherwise blues, save for that one track.

[Ian Thumwood]

SA

Not aware of this record. The one I have heard from the 60's had Ronnie Cuber on, I believe. If he did record with Herbie, that would be worth checking out.

Ian

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

For what its worth, Benson certainly had the chops back in the day. When Wes went "uptown" GB was in line to be the next Montgomery..."New Boss Guitar" etc. etc. Dont forget he recorded with Miles and goes back to Jack McDuff's qrt. Iv'e got (50p no name) bootleg cassettes of him in a qrt live in some small club with Mickey Tucker on piano, c. late sixties, and he can certainly play his jazz butt off. Very fast, very inventive, very clean. The dross came later.

BN.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

There's also a nice story he tells against himself (post commercial fame) of letting a ragged Grant Green sit in and Green taking him apart...

BN.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

well he also made some pretty good pop recordings in a soul r&b vein as they called it in the 80s ... funky chops and a great voice too

his tribute to Nat Cole has had a good reception