Jazz Articles about George Benson

George Benson: The George Benson Cookbook

by John Sharpe
August 1, 2001

While the phenomenal success of George Benson’s Breezin’ (1976) album may have fattened his wallet; it led the guitarist down a path that dismayed jazz critics worldwide. Indeed, the bulk of Benson’s albums over the past 20 years have featured considerably less jazz and, unfortunately, more pop. Not so with The George Benson Cookbook (1966). This sizzling CD features the then young, hotshot string-picker on 14 swingin’ bebop/soul-jazz tracks. Benson kicks things off in rapid fashion with the aptly titled, ...

George Benson: Breezin'

by C. Michael Bailey
March 1, 2001

Maybe the big daddy of smooth jazz, George Benson's Breezin' reemerges as a great period piece and microscope lens focussed on the mid-1970s.

Breezin' was the one of the first jazz recordings I purchased. The year was 1976 and I was a junior in high school. The LP (this was 1976, remember) struck me as being totally contemporary with the burgeoning Disco scene of the period while still being able to boast belonging to the genre “jazz". Now, Rhino Records ...

George Benson: Breezin'

by Mark Corroto
February 1, 2001

Thanks to George Benson sometime in 1977 I became a jazz fan. I'm not sure how I stumbled upon his release Breezin', maybe it was its triple-platinum sales or maybe its three Grammy awards. Nonetheless, this Bruce Springsteen rock fan fell for Benson's bluesy guitar sound and wordless vocals. I was also listening to Chuck Mangione and Al Jarreau. All three piqued my interest, and I followed Mangione back to Art Blakey and Jarreau's version of “Take Five" was my ...

George Benson: Absolute Benson

by Dave Hughes
October 1, 2000

This is George Benson's most satisfying albums in years! It should stand out as a highlight in his discography for years to come. The focus here is on Benson's guitar playing - and he is in fine form throughout! I don't mind his singing, I just think he's a good singer but a great guitarist. As expected, he employs those Wes Montgomery octaves in some spots, and scats and solos in tandem in others, but he's full of new ideas. ...

Lee Morgan: Taru

by Jim Santella
March 1, 2000

Just look at that rhythm section. One of the best in the business. The personnel on Lee Morgan’s 1980 album make this one valuable right from its opening bars. George Benson only appears on three tracks, but Morgan’s regular sidekick Bennie Maupin was in his prime. As was Morgan and the rhythm section. John Hicks, Reggie Workman and Billy Higgins each offer a unique sound while fitting Lee Morgan’s upbeat mold. Recorded February 15, 1968 but released in 1980, the ...

George Benson: Standing Together

by Robert Spencer
June 1, 1998

George Benson on autopilot, or as the title of one of these tunes has it, cruise control. There's nothing wrong musically with this disc: Benson's guitar playing is as bright and bouncy as ever, his singing is buoyant and attractive, and the arrangements are competent. But this is just another record in a long string of commercial smashes (and would-be commercial smashes) for George Benson, featuring George standing together with his millions, and it will no doubt make him some ...

George Benson: I Got A Woman And Some Blues

by Douglas Payne
April 1, 1998

This odd hodgepodge of funk jazz and R&B / pop was recorded by guitarist / vocalist George Benson for A&M / CTI Records around 1970. It first appeared on vinyl in 1984--long after most anyone cared about Benson's music--and has finally just made it onto CD. There's no personnel listed, but it's worth betting that Idris Muhammad is manning the drums (sounds like flautist Hubert Laws and organist Dr. Lonnie Smith make brief appearances too). Benson's guitar, of course, sounds ...