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George Benson's place as one of the greatest and most successful guitarists in the history of jazz is secure, but what's easy to forget sometimes is that he began his career as a vocalist, and if this release, a tribute to Nat King Cole, comes as any kind of surprise, it shouldn't. Benson's and Cole's careers are remarkably similar, both becoming known first as instrumentalists, Cole as a pianist, and Benson, of course, as a guitarist, with both eventually easing into the pop mainstream because of their voices. Cole was a one of a kind vocalist, of course, and even Benson wouldn't claim to equal him as a singer, but Benson has a similarly soothing and lush tenor voice that more than holds its own on these familiar songs. The album is bookended by two versions of the Cole classic "Mona Lisa," the first a rare recording of Benson at the age of eight singing it sweetly and charmingly while playing ukulele, while the album closes with a full big-band, Nelson Riddle-arranged orchestral version that also features some sweet guitar from Benson. In between are warm, smooth, and soothing versions of "Walking My Baby Back Home" and "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," a bouncing and bopping "Route 66," and nice takes on "Unforgettable" (featuring Wynton Marsalis), "When I Fall in Love" (featuring Idina Menzel), "Smile" (featuring Till Brönner), and "Too Young" (featuring Judith Hill), all given the full big-band orchestral treatment from the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra conducted by Randy Waldman (Waldman also arranged several of the pieces here). It all adds up to a sweet and very impressive album, full of warmth and heart, and it swings where it should.
© Steve Leggett /TiVo
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John Burke, Producer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jay Livingston, ComposerLyricist - George Benson, Vocals, Ukulele, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Recording Producer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Evans, ComposerLyricist - DR Radiounderholdningsorkestret, Composer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lars Atterman, Composer - Kroniken, Composer - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
John Burke, Producer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cole Porter, ComposerLyricist - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson. Under exclusive license to Concord Music Group, Inc.
John Burke, Producer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Wynton Marsalis, Trumpet, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Irving Gordon, ComposerLyricist - Sheila E., Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
John Burke, Producer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - FRED AHLERT, ComposerLyricist - Roy Turk, ComposerLyricist - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
John Burke, Producer - Idina Menzel, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Victor Young, ComposerLyricist - Edward Heyman, ComposerLyricist - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
John Burke, Producer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Troup, ComposerLyricist - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
John Burke, Producer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - EDEN AHBEZ, ComposerLyricist - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
John Burke, Producer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Russell, ComposerLyricist - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Carl Sigman, ComposerLyricist - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
John Burke, Producer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charlie Chaplin, ComposerLyricist - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Turner, ComposerLyricist - Geoffrey Parsons, ComposerLyricist - Till Brönner, Trumpet, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Don Shelton, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Janey Clewer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
John Burke, Producer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nat King Cole, ComposerLyricist - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Vocals, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Irving Mills, ComposerLyricist - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Don Shelton, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Janey Clewer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - C. Papastephanou, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 George Benson
Sidney Lippman, ComposerLyricist - Sylvia Dee, ComposerLyricist - John Burke, Producer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Judith Hill, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
John Burke, Producer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Young, ComposerLyricist - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Fred E. Ahlert, ComposerLyricist - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
John Burke, Producer - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jay Livingston, ComposerLyricist - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Evans, ComposerLyricist - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - DR Radiounderholdningsorkestret, Composer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lars Atterman, Composer - Kroniken, Composer - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
Joe Sherman, ComposerLyricist - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE DAVID WEISS, ComposerLyricist - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Don Shelton, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Janey Clewer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
Noel Sherman, ComposerLyricist - Joe Sherman, ComposerLyricist - Michael Fisher, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - George Benson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RANDY WALDMAN, Producer, Piano, Conductor/Piano, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tim May, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berghofer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Don Shelton, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Janey Clewer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Gregg Field, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Poler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Blakemore, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Presant, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clint Holley, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 George Benson
Album review
George Benson's place as one of the greatest and most successful guitarists in the history of jazz is secure, but what's easy to forget sometimes is that he began his career as a vocalist, and if this release, a tribute to Nat King Cole, comes as any kind of surprise, it shouldn't. Benson's and Cole's careers are remarkably similar, both becoming known first as instrumentalists, Cole as a pianist, and Benson, of course, as a guitarist, with both eventually easing into the pop mainstream because of their voices. Cole was a one of a kind vocalist, of course, and even Benson wouldn't claim to equal him as a singer, but Benson has a similarly soothing and lush tenor voice that more than holds its own on these familiar songs. The album is bookended by two versions of the Cole classic "Mona Lisa," the first a rare recording of Benson at the age of eight singing it sweetly and charmingly while playing ukulele, while the album closes with a full big-band, Nelson Riddle-arranged orchestral version that also features some sweet guitar from Benson. In between are warm, smooth, and soothing versions of "Walking My Baby Back Home" and "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," a bouncing and bopping "Route 66," and nice takes on "Unforgettable" (featuring Wynton Marsalis), "When I Fall in Love" (featuring Idina Menzel), "Smile" (featuring Till Brönner), and "Too Young" (featuring Judith Hill), all given the full big-band orchestral treatment from the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra conducted by Randy Waldman (Waldman also arranged several of the pieces here). It all adds up to a sweet and very impressive album, full of warmth and heart, and it swings where it should.
© Steve Leggett /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 00:46:27
- Main artists: George Benson
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Craft Recordings
- Genre: Jazz
© 2021 George Benson ℗ 2021 George Benson
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