George Benson Absolutely Live DVD Reissued
08/11/2008
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(Kayos) Eagle Eye Media will re-release George Benson Absolutely Live on DVD September 16. The show filmed at Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, features the nimble-fingered jazz guitarist in a variety of musical settings. Benson’s multi-genre versatility was never more evident than on this night in 2000. The 105-minute show features guest appearances by Houston bebop/fusion keyboard great Joe Sample, The BBC Big Band, and members of The Ulster Orchestra.
Benson plays it cool and fast, skipping elegantly between his major hits, some straight-ahead jazz improvisation, and reconfiguring of timeless standards. His sultry rhythm’n’blues touch is plainly evident, as is his penchant for reinvention and surprise (dig his wonderfully creative “Danny Boy” and “I Only Have Eyes For You,” two of the most beloved and timeless of standards, which would be mush in the hands of a lesser artist).
Special features include a mini-documentary “The Making Of Absolutely Live,” a biography and photo gallery.
George Benson came out of Pittsburgh in 1964 at the age of 21 as a straight-up jazz guitarist of the Wes Montgomery/Joe Pass school. After apprenticing in organist Jack McDuff’s band, he struck out on his own with a series of beautifully crafted jazz instrumental albums, taking the time to add to his skills by playing with Miles Davis (“Paraphernalia,” from the 1967 Miles In The Sky album).
But it wasn’t until the 1976 release of the multi-platinum Breezin’ that Benson become an internationally known artist. On that album, he literally sang his way to stardom, revealing a soulful Stevie Wonder-style expressive voice that catapulted his career into the stratosphere. Longtime purists lamented his newfound commercial groove but Benson never diluted his jazz integrity nor his incredible chops and to this day is hailed as a giant of jazz ax.
On this night on Ireland, Benson is top form; singing and soloing like a crazy jazz cat on a midnight creep. And with the super-cool Joe Sample, he provides a magical night on these 17 stellar tracks.
Track Listing
1) All Of Me
2) I Only Have Eyes For You
3) Beyond The Sea
4) Deeper Than You Think
5) Hipping The Hop
6) Lately
7) The Ghetto
8) In Your Eyes
9) Moody’s Mood
10) Danny Boy
11) This Masquerade
12) Breezin’
13) LovexLove
14) Turn Your Love Around
15) Never Give Up On A Good Thing
16) Give Me The Night
17) On Broadway
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