Search - George Benson :: Best Of George Benson: The Instrumentals

Dan A. from CARRIZOZO, NM
Reviewed on 11/19/2006...

Nice Benson album when the focus of his music was on the music

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This CD Comes With Memories To Have And To Hold...

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 01/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In my opinion, "Breezin'" is the ultimate and the most precious of all George Benson's gems, and the most stunning track on this compilation CD. I remember the way my sister Debbie and I were 'going nuts' over this melody when it first came out in the late '70s and played the album (original platinum selling "Breezin'") over and over and over again and would repeat the track "Breezin'" quite a number of times that it must have broken our late father's turntable needle! (you remember that, don't you? And you were just too scared to tell Papa about it since he had been telling us to handle it with extra-care because the brand he used was so expensive and precious like diamonds!) Listening to this CD brings back a lot of memories and it's like being on a 'sentimental journey' to the past with my sister.



"Breezin'" was the first album that got me hooked with the music of Mr. Benson. My sister and I collected most of his earliest albums. My sister stopped collecting several years ago but I remained the 'faithful fan' to this day and continued with my collection. I always enjoy listening to his kind of music. I truly believe that he's one of the greatest and polished guitarists of all-time and an awesome vocalist as well.



A good friend of mine who has an impeccable taste in music and an extensive musical knowledge who also plays the guitar has the following reflection on our mutual favorite, George Benson, and I quote:



"George Benson is the best 'flat pick' guitarist who ever lived -- his single note sequences are better jazz than Lenny Breau, but he looked up to Lenny as the greatest all around finger style guitarist who ever lived. His "Tenderly" is the best flat picking solo of all time I'd say -- I saw George perform at a Town Hall in Bermuda in the '70s, just as "White Rabbit" LP was making him a star and his own composition "Ode To A Kudu" is the finest 'live' performance I have ever heard by any guitarist bar none."



This compilation CD consists of some of my cherished melodies of all-time, and it's a testament of Mr. Benson's mastery of guitar. The tracks I love the most next to "Breezin'" are "Tenderly" from his 1989 album of the same title, "My Heart Is Dancing" from "Love Remembers" album in 1993, his very own composition "Weekend In L.A." from his 1978 album of the same title, "We All Remember Wes," a Stevie Wonder-penned-bubbly- melody, Jose Feliciano's "Affirmation" from the 1979 album "Breezin'" and one of his original compositions "Mimosa" from his 1987 album "Collaboration" (with another guitar virtuoso, Earl Klugh).



This CD is a must-have and has the greatest collection of the best instrumentals ever recorded in the history of jazz. You should listen to it, and thank me for it! It's absolutely a gem!

"

Awesome!!!!

K. J. Bryant | 01/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"George Benson is truly one of the best!! I am new to jazz music (plus I am getting older) and while my taste in music has changed (for the best). I still know good music when I hear it, regardless of the genre. So when I say this is an excellent album for old and new jazz fans...Trust me!! This cd helped bridge me into Miles Davis and others, but is still old school enough to be real. I love this cd and you will, too."