Search - George Benson :: Shape of Things to Come

Some great early Benson

J. B Brent | Oak Ridge, Tennessee USA | 10/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Issued on vinyl as A&M SP 3014, CTI series, in 1968, this album demonstrates how Benson was influenced by the late Wes Montgomery but was already developing individual flair. This is the second CD reissue, the first being # 0803 in the A&M digi-pack jazz series back in 1988. Unfortunately many of the great albums in that series haven't been seen since. The title tune (from the movie "Wild in the Streets") and "Chattanooga Choo Choo" are outstanding tracks. Pick this up while you can still get it without paying import prices."

Wonderful......

A. MAHMOUD | saudia | 11/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is one of my favorates g.benson works it fills u with joy and happiness.i listened to it many times and every time i return back again...."

An Apt Title

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 06/05/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I go way back with George Benson, though not nearly as far back as some of his early jazz titles like this that are now thankfully being remastered. Those who go further back with Benson's music than I do know that Shape of Things To Come is more apt as a title for this album than most people suspected at the time of its initial release. For it is here that Benson's musical personality starts to come into its own, bearing on nimble fingers promises of a future greatness.

As one reviewer said, Benson was heavily influenced by Wes Montgomery. That is evident in his play. But I think that the songs chosen for inclusion were heavily influenced by the record company. Many who were jazz fans in the late sixties will remember that the jazz fashion of the times, particularly on the A&M, CTI, and Verve labels, was to try to increase crossover appeal of jazz artists by having them do covers of well-known standards and contemporary hits. With Shape Of Things To Come, five of seven songs are covers.

I pretty much enjoy the entire CD. My favorite is the cover of the title cut, but I also really enjoy Benson's take on Don't Let Me Lose This Dream and his own swinging Shape of Things That Are And Were. On that last Benson really cuts loose and demonstrates that he is becoming a world-class jazz guitarist in his own right. I should mention that I was not familiar with the song Face It Boy, Its Over but it sounds to me a lot like Stone Soul Picnic.

Benson's band features some top-notch sidemen. Most notable is Charles Covington who plays organ on four of the cuts. The only real negative aspect is that it clocks in at just over thirty minutes long and so seems to be over almost before it starts. But if you love the kind of music George Benson put out before he convinced himself he'd rather be a soul man than a jazzbo, then Shape of Things To Come merits a spot in your collection. Get it before it disappears again."