We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
Before he became a pop-star crooner in the late 70’s, George Benson released a series of jazz albums which featured his clean, crisp guitar lines backed by the cream of the jazz world.
The 1972 LP “White Rabbit” on CTI Records was one such example. Benson and his friends stretch out on pop hits like the title track and “California Dreamin” and a few other tunes including a Benson original “El Mar”.
The band that Taylor assembled is outstanding. Herbie Hancock on electric piano (he excels on “Little Train”), Ron Carter on bass, Billy Cobham on drums, Airto Moreira on percussion and Hubert Laws on flute.
Jay Berliner & 17 year old Earl Klugh contribute some guitars and and a bunch of horn guys dive in as well.
It’s a tasty treat. The group takes Grace Slick’s Jefferson Airplane hit and gives it a Spanish spin. John Phillips classic “California Dreamin” gets a more classic reading and the group slows things down for Michel Legrand’s “Theme From Summer of 42”.
I liked Benson this way rather than his pop hits later in the decade. See what you think.
