The Best of George Benson

Amazon.com
When Benson included a vocal version of Leon Russell's "This Masquerade" on an instrumental album (Breezin') in 1976, he suddenly launched on a new career. With a great tenor voice and a distinctive way of combining wordless vocals in unison with his bright guitar sound, he soon became one of the most successful R&B/pop singers of the era. The emphasis in this collection is on Benson the singer rather than the jazz guitarist, and it includes the biggest hits of his career, like Lieber and Stoller's "On Broadway," "Give Me the Night," and his duet with Aretha Franklin, "Love All the Hurt Away." The result is superior pop-soul with Benson's fine guitar work often percolating in the background, only occasionally breaking through to take center stage, with solos often fading out on the singles versions included here. Listeners seeking a collection that balances Benson's vocal hits with some of his instrumentals should turn to The George Benson Collection or Breezin', which remains a classic of mostly guitar instrumentals. --Adam Rains

The Best of George Benson,George Benson,Warner Bros / Wea,Contemporary Jazz,Crossover Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Jazz-Pop,Pop,Quiet Storm,R&B,Smooth Jazz,Urban

Average customer rating: For George Benson the Tenor Excellent CD george benson Vocal side of Benson George Benson Gives Us the Night.

The Best of George Benson George Benson Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of Al Jarreau Best Of George Benson: The Instrumentals The George Benson Collection Breezin' The Greatest Hits of All ASIN: B000002N2T Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

1. Give Me The Night
2. Love Ballad
3. This Masquerade
4. Love X Love
5. I Just Wanna Hang Around You
6. Turn Your Love Around
7. Inside Love (So Personal)
8. 20/20
9. Everything Must Change
10. Never Give Up On A Good Thing
11. Kisses In The Midnight
12. Lady Love Me (One More Time)
13. Lady Blue
14. On Broadway

Amazon.com

When Benson included a vocal version of Leon Russell's "This Masquerade" on an instrumental album (Breezin') in 1976, he suddenly launched on a new career. With a great tenor voice and a distinctive way of combining wordless vocals in unison with his bright guitar sound, he soon became one of the most successful R&B/pop singers of the era. The emphasis in this collection is on Benson the singer rather than the jazz guitarist, and it includes the biggest hits of his career, like Lieber and Stoller's "On Broadway," "Give Me the Night," and his duet with Aretha Franklin, "Love All the Hurt Away." The result is superior pop-soul with Benson's fine guitar work often percolating in the background, only occasionally breaking through to take center stage, with solos often fading out on the singles versions included here. Listeners seeking a collection that balances Benson's vocal hits with some of his instrumentals should turn to The George Benson Collection or Breezin', which remains a classic of mostly guitar instrumentals. --Adam Rains

Customer Reviews:

For George Benson the Tenor.......2007-02-19

Granted, along with earl Klugh, and Wes Montgomery, George Benson is one of the finest Jazz Musicians to ever pick up a guitar.

However, I love to hear his beautiful clear voice ring out full of emotion and tenderness. That's why I love this collection of George Benson Vocals. Sometimes you are in the mood for instrumentals, but sometimes you just want to sing along. Included in this collection is one of my personal favorites, the melancholy ballad, "Everything Must Change" from his album "In Flight". I always used to play it last when I would D J a dance back in the day, thinking every time this could be the last time I'd do this, have this much fun etc. And many of these songs have that kind of memories. It's hard to feel that way about an instrumental, no matter how good.

Excellent CD.......2004-05-16

I am a big fan of George Benson and own most of his Audio collection. But most of it is on Tape and this is my 2nd George Benson CD. In my country (India) we don't get George Benson CD's so I was searching for one on the Internet and got it in Amazon. I love this CD, its one of the best George Benson Collection to own. The quality of recording is very good which cannot be compared to Audio Tapes. Great CD Highly recommended.

george benson.......2003-09-14

As a child growing up in California my mother listen to George Benson. Now that I a mother of three I truly enjoy listing to his music and appreciate it's contents. When I'm driving in my car his music takes me to another level of accomplishment, I feel as if there isn't anything in life that I can't accomplish for myself, that's why I enjoy listening to his music it's moving and healing for the soul. So keep up the wonderful work George Benson and I'll keep listening and buying.

Thank you,
Lynnknight

Vocal side of Benson.......2003-04-09

This cd definitely catches George Bensons vocal talent more anything else. He is a great vocalist and a guitar player, this cd is very good to catch the vocals.

George Benson Gives Us the Night........2002-10-15

A supremely talented guitarist and an impressive vocalist, George Benson is one of the most influential and respected musicians in jazz/r&b. This hits collection compiles his vocal work, and track after track, it took me back to the glory years of the 1970s and 1980s. Classics include the Quincy Jones-produced "Give Me the Night," the catchy "Turn Your Love Around," a live rendition of "On Broadway," and the memorable "Lady Love Me." There is not one mediocre song on this set, showing the consistency of Benson's work. Granted, there are jazz musicians guilty of delivering schmaltzy elevator "muzak," but George gives us the real deal. When he sings "give me the night," we have no choice but to honor his request. George Benson is the man!

Average customer rating: Terrific collection Well-received gift Elevator Music This CD Comes With Memories To Have And To Hold... Awesome!!!!

Best Of George Benson: The Instrumentals George Benson Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Greatest Hits of All The Best of George Benson Breezin' Givin' It Up The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery ASIN: B000002NGP Release Date: 1997-10-28

Tracks:

1. My Heart Is Dancing
2. Breezin'
3. Mimosa
4. Dinorah, Dinorah
5. Being With You
6. Valdez In The Country
7. Affirmation
8. Tenderly
9. We All Remember Wes
10. Weekend In L.A.
11. That's Right

Customer Reviews:

Terrific collection.......2007-05-21

This was one of the first George Benson CDs I bought, and it was a great pick. At the time, I didn't know he made so many great instrumentals, but this CD quickly got rid of that! There's not a bad song on here, although the first five are especially enjoyable and the live version of "We All Remember Wes" was very good as well.

Well-received gift.......2007-01-09

This CD was a gift for a guitarist and Benson fan. He loved it.

Elevator Music.......2005-11-26

Don't be fooled by the reviews. If you're looking for some jazz, don't buy this album. This is a CD of easy-listening music. If you're looking for some jazz guitar, check out the early CDs like George Benson Cookbook or the stuff he recorded with Brother Jack McDuff. I guess this stuff is okay to put on while watering the plants, but there is no substance to this ear candy. What a waste of talent. And George QUIT SINGING YOUR GUITAR SOLOS. It's bad enough that you sing, but singing during a solo just diminishes both the singing and the guitar playing. YAWN!

This CD Comes With Memories To Have And To Hold..........2005-01-15

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! (Deb, 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. (my sappy eyes, please behave!).

"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!!!!.......2004-01-19

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.

Average customer rating: Beyond the Stars..... THE VERY, VERY BEST, THIS IS THE ONE TO OWN !

Very Best of George Benson: The Greatest Hits of All George Benson Manufacturer: Wea International ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music R&B | Imports | Stores | Music Pop | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bad Benson The Greatest Hits of All Collaboration The George Benson Collection The Best of Kool & the Gang 1979-1987 ASIN: B00009YW8U Release Date: 2004-05-24

Tracks:

1. Give Me the Night
2. Turn Your Love Around
3. Never Give Up on a Good Thing
4. Love X Love
5. Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You
6. Greatest Love of All
7. Feel Like Makin' Love
8. Breezin'
9. This Masquerade
10. In Your Eyes
11. You Are the Love of My Life - George Benson, Roberta Flack
12. Lady Love Me (One More Time)
13. Kisses in the Moonlight
14. Love All the Hurt Away - George Benson, Aretha Franklin
15. Being With You
16. Moody's Mood - Patti Austin, , George Benson
17. Nature Boy
18. Love Ballad
19. Shiver
20. On Broadway [Live]

Customer Reviews:

Beyond the Stars............2006-04-21

If you love music,if you love George Benson this is the only greatest hits that is worth my review...i have the Japan version with incredible audio and frankly iam in heaven.The track with Roberta Flack is worth half the price alone..get it if you dare.

THE VERY, VERY BEST, THIS IS THE ONE TO OWN !.......2006-03-01

WHEN I FOUND THIS CD, I KNEW IT WAS THE ONE, JUST CHECK THE TRACK LIST, EVERY SONG IS GOOD, THE PERFECT OVERVIEW OF GEORGE BENSON, IT IS A DIGITALLY REMASTERED COMPILATION, CLEAR & CLEAN SOUND, IT WORTHS BY FAR IT'S PRICE, THIS IS THE BEST OF HIM YOU'LL FIND, ALL THE BEST ON ONE CD!

Average customer rating: Not Exactly "Weekend In L.A." Surprisingly vital sound quality I was there!

Best of George Benson Live George Benson Manufacturer: Grp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music GRP | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: George Benson - Live at Montreux, 1986 All for Love Givin' It Up So Amazing...An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross It's on Tonight ASIN: B000ASAFU2 Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

1. Turn Your Love Around
2. This Masquerade
3. Breezin'
4. Love X Love
5. Deeper Than You Think
6. The Ghetto
7. Never Give Up On A Good Thing
8. Hipping The Hop
9. Give Me The Night
10. On Broadway

Customer Reviews:

Not Exactly "Weekend In L.A.".......2005-12-28

I was really excited to get my hands on this album, as "Weekend In L.A." is one of the greatest live jazz albums ever recorded. Be warned...this album is no "Weekend In L.A.".

The audio quality is marginal, as the vocals are almost hard to hear, in parts. I mentioned to my wife that it almost sounded as though someone stood in the audience, with a digital recorder, and made a recording of the concert. The sound is very treble-heavy with only a marginal amount of bass. I'm actually kind of surprised that GRP would put out a CD with this kind of audio quality.

As far as the track selection, this collection is heavy on George's pop/R&B hits. There are a couple of guitar-only tracks, like "Breezin'" and "Hipping the Hop". Other than that, every other song contains vocals. (Not my personal favorite phase of his career, but to each his own)

All in all, I was disappointed, and am surprised I actually gave only 3 stars to a George Benson release. He is one of my favorite artists, and I really think GRP did him an injustice by releasing this low quality recording.

Surprisingly vital.......2005-10-16

Here's the thing that really makes this album, simply put: Benson is still one of the great jazz guitarists, and there's plenty of evidence of that fact to be found here. His solo spots on "Breezin'" and "This Masquerade" exceed their studio counterparts, in the former case by some distance. If you're a fan of his guitar work (and why wouldn't you be?), this album will surprise and delight you with its abundance and quality, at this late date.

Further, the song selection is nice, representative, though indeed a bit skimpy (though the album is about an hour long). Benson's voice sounds good throughout, not quite as overly mannered as he's been prone to be in recent years. So, musically, the album is a winner, no question.

I do agree, though, that the sound is somewhat wanting (the band is too recessed in the mix, and this larger venue's acoustics don't really service a good live mix). Still, that's a fairly minor quibble, and it's by no means bad sounding; but, there's room to wish for better.

If you're a fan, and don't mind a cross section of his more R&B material with lite jazz (albeit with stellar guitar work), you're bound to find this record the most exciting thing Benson's released in years.

sound quality.......2005-10-15

Great cd and song collection,recorded live the sound quality is not the best unfortunately.

I was there!.......2005-10-14

I was actually at this gig in the splendid Waterfront Hall in Belfast. Its already available on DVD and I would also recommend that item also as it really brings acoss the excellent atmosphere of the gig...and the dodgy dancing in particular.

The tracks here are pretty much what you'd expect,with a couple of tracks off his then latest release. Its a very polished set and it certainly does justice to the material. Only ten tracks on this release. The several big band/swing songs played on the night don't make the cut, perhaps unfortunately, but if you like George Benson you can't fail to like this set. Buy it.

Average customer rating: Ladies and gentlemen: welcome to George Benson world! Overlook the awful cover photo!

The Best of George Benson George Benson Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop General | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Pop General | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Collaboration Bad Benson Giblet Gravy Perpetually Hip Best Instrumentals (Sony) ASIN: B0000026TS Release Date: 1989-08-07

Tracks:

1. California Dreamin'
2. The Gentle Rain
3. Theme From Good King Bad
4. Take Five
5. Body Talk
6. Theme From Summer Of '42
7. One Rock Don't Make No Boulder
8. My Latin Brother
9. Ode To A Kudu
10. I Remember Wes
11. Summertime
12. From Now On

Customer Reviews:

Ladies and gentlemen: welcome to George Benson world!.......2006-04-01

The guitar in jazz found in Wes Montgomery his most genuine exponent until his early death in the middle Sixties. Fortunately, George Benson became his most direct musical heiress. The astonishing register, the stunning easiness and superb phrasing of this master has become the most versatile guitarist of his generation.

This is a without time album. You will enjoy over and over as I have done through all these years; the album contains choice instrumentals cuts from his early years. The standards like Theme from Summer of ` 42, California dreamin', Summertime, Take five or I remember Wes are simply a must-collector.

Overlook the awful cover photo!.......2005-04-23

If you are prepared to overlook this terrible 1960s cover pic of George Benson then you will be surprised by the varied selection obtained on the c.d.
For example, on the disc there are a couple of nice inclusions from Bensons c.d "Good King Bad' ( a rather expensive and rare c.d to obtain on its own). They've chosen some of the best trax from the album. Then there is the absolute gem...Luis Bonfas "Gentle Rain" which George takes to new dimensions. He REALLY stretches out on this track and teaches one what improvisation and scale substitution is all about.
None of his pop ballads are touched on here but the material deals with a rather obscure (pre-1976)time in Georges history i.e the Kudu Years when his playing was tempered with fire and aggression. He was lean and hungry and had alot to prove...and he has accomplished it all up to today.
A marvelous musician and sincere person all round.

Average customer rating: A disappointment

Greatest Hits of All: The Very Best George Benson Manufacturer: Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Givin' It Up The Greatest Hits of All ASIN: B00009XH11 Release Date: 2006-03-25

Tracks:

1. Give Me The Night
2. Turn Your Love Around
3. Never Give Up On A Good Thing
4. Love X Love
5. Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You
6. The Greatest Love Of All
7. Feel Like Making Love
8. Breezin
9. This Masquerade
10. In Your Eyes
11. You Are The Love Of My Life
12. Lady Love Me (One More Time)
13. Kisses In The Moonlight
14. Love All The Hurt Away
15. Being With You
16. Moodys Mood
17. Nature Boy
18. Love Ballad
19. Shiver
20. On Broadway (Live)

Album Description

The vocal superstar & jazz guitar legend's most popular hits showcased on single-disc compilation of timeless music! 20 remastered tracks, this import version features one additional track plus six tracks not on the US version, 'Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You', 'Feel Like Making Love', 'In Your Eyes', 'You Are The Love Of My Life' (With Roberta Flack), 'Moody's Mood' (With Patti Austin), & 'Nature Boy'. Warner.

Album Details

Includes One Bonus Track, a Live Version of "on Broadway".

Customer Reviews:

A disappointment.......2007-03-19

At first I thought this would be a fairly good mix of GB's work but after listening a couple times it's not anywhere near as good to listen to as "The George Benson Collection" that I had on 2 cassettes. It was short on material from his breakout albums "Breezin'" and "In Flight" from the mid-'70's. If you can't find the GB Collection on CD, I'd suggest either buying great condition LP's or cassettes and burn your own. I'm going to sell the CD. Note: This is an import album and might be more geared to either Latin or European rather than American tastes.

Average customer rating:

Cti Best of ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000A1EDR0 Release Date: 2005-08-30

Average customer rating:

The Best of Gershwin: The Classical Works/Jazz & Songs Manufacturer: Sony Classical ProductGroup: Classical Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000KEWTPU

Product Description

CD1 includes classical works such as Rhapsody in Blue with Leonard Bernstein and the Columbia Symphony Orchestra; An American in Paris with Bernstein and the NY Philharmonic; Piano Concerto in F with Andre Previn and Andre Kostelanetz; Prelude No. 1 with the Labeque Sisters on piano; Strike Up the Band with John Williams and the Boston Pops; Porgy and Bess with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra; and Girl Crazy with Michael Tilson Thomas and the Buffalo Philharmonic. CD2 Jazz & Songs includes: Summertime by Miles Davis; It Ain't Necessarily So by Aretha Franklin; A Foggy Day by George Benson; Bess You Is My Woman Now by Tommy Flanagan; Isn't It A Pity by Mel Torme; I Got Rhythm by the Benny Goodman Sextet; The Man I Love by Billie Holiday; They Can't Take That Away From Me by Ahmad Jamal; Nice Work If You Can Get It by Ella Fitzgerald; Love Walked In by Chet Baker; They All Laughed by Tony Bennett; Embraceable You by Supersax & LA Voices; Who Cares by Stan Getz; Summertime by Duke Ellington; Liza by Stephane Grappelli; Slap That Bass by Fred Astaire; How Long Has This Been Going On? by Peggy Lee & Benny Goodman Orchestra; Of Thee I Sing with the Hi-Lo's and Marty Paich Dek-tette; The Man I Love by Erroll Garner; and Swanee by the Woody Herman Orchestra.

Average customer rating:

Blues Best Vol. 1 Willie Dixon , Ray Charles , John Lee Hooker , Buddy Guy , Bo Diddley , Etta James , George Benson , Walter Jacobs , Higginbotham , and T-Bone Walker Manufacturer: K-point Gold ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000J4IJGE

Product Description

This compilation contains 15 tracks.

Average customer rating:

Thousand Yen Jazz: Best of ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000E6G3UG Release Date: 2006-03-14

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