Search - George Benson :: Silver Collection

Great late 60's Benson

bluesdoc05 | South | 03/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection is a compilation of the best tracks from two of Benson's late 60's albums, "Goodies" and "Giblet Gravy". The progression of his guitar playing from the diamond in the rough talent of his first few albums is just astonishing. By this time, Benson was already one of the finest jazz guitarists, not only of that era, but of all time. This collection showcases his ability to intepret a diverse set of material from blues to bop, and even popular songs of the day ("Groovin", "Walk on By", and "Windmills of Your Mind"). While all the tracks are excellent, my favorite is his version of Horace Silver's "Song For My Father" on which Benson displays an incredible combination of melodicism and fluidity. Equally as exciting is his energetic reading of Cannonball Adderly's "Sack O' Woe an uptempo blues which George makes as funky as you can get, far surpassing in my opinion the great version that Howard Roberts had recorded.



If you love soulful jazz guitar, buy this disc!"