GEORGE BENSON: MUSICIAN/SONGWRITER /SINGER
He is the ultimate master of the Jazz guitar. He released his first single with RCA Records at the ripe old of age of 10 and has gone on to be probably the best jazz guitarist in the world, a living legend of our time. In 2009, Benson was recognized by the National Endowment of the Arts as a Jazz Master, the nation’s highest honor in Jazz.
In August 2009 he released his 34th studio album
SONGS and STORIES,
SONGS and STORIES,
and is nominated for a Grammy 2011 for Best Surround Sound Album. He is unbelievable; his voice sounds just as well as it did when he first started recording his voice on albums in the mid-70’s with the release of “The Masquerade”. The consummate entertainer, he never stops. He has 21 singles, 7 compilations, played 124 times as sideman on other artist albums, 6 co-leading albums and 2 video albums. Along with the 34 studio albums, he is a 10 time Grammy winner, with many more accolades to his credit.
He was once employed by the late/great Miles Davis in the mid-60’s and featured on his MILES IN THE SKY album out in 1968. This is still a very popular album with young people discovering Jazz for the first time, and a classic Jazz album. He has recorded and appeared with all the greats in the music profession, and is held in high regard by his peers and fans worldwide, not only in jazz, but funk, and R/B soul.
The SONGS AND STORIES album has a little for all his fans of every genre. At the age of 68 this year his Funk, is still FUNKY and his R/B is soulful and the smooth Jazz is refreshing. He starts off the CD with a James Taylor number “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” his vocals are crisp, and a change from what he is known for, but well done.
“Nutin But A Party” featuring Norman Brown, is lively funk that makes you wants to turn up the volume.
“Exotica” George gets his arch top guitar singing the smooth jazz instrumental number as if the words where coming off the strings, with a little scattin’ as only George can do.
“Living In High Definition” An instrumental only available with purchase of album, and truly the great sound of George Benson, doing what he was born to do. His delivery is infamous and his scattin’ rocks the soul right out of it.
If you like George Benson, you will enjoy this album. His talent is as rich and savory as ever, and versatile enough to encompass more than one genre. If you ever get to see him live he puts on a great show. He is the king of the jazz guitar.
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