Benson Breezes In

Rip It Up, Issue 9, 1 March 1978, Page 5

Benson Breezes In

George Benson may make guitar playing sound relaxed and easy but don’t let that mislead you. He didn’t turn singer overnight either. Benson, who turns 35 the day between his Christchurch and Wellington shows, was first introduced to the electric guitar at the age of six when his stepfather played him some Charlie Christian recordings. In subsequent years there were many informal lessons on a number of old instruments but the boy’s first love was singing

rhythm and blues. (In fact he did a vocal recording for RCA at age 10.) Upon leaving school at 17, Benson formed a rock 'n' roll band in his home town of Pittsburg. He played guitar, but his voice was still the main feature. Then at 19 he was hired by jazz organist Jack McDuff and it was in his three years with this group that Benson says he became a real guitarist. On the road, playing day in, day out, the musician developed. He also got to see other guitarists, picking up tips and teaching himself a lot of theory, especially harmony. Finally, the desire for greater personal expression led Benson to form his own quartet, using the same lineup of guitar, organ, tenor-sax and drums. He wanted to play only jazz but finances often dictated the band accept rock gigs, sharing the stage with go-go dancers. As leader, Benson had major responsibility for musicwhich was being heard not just by a jazz clientele but by rock and R&B audiences as well. He continued to grow, and so, slowly, did his esteem, first among fellow musicians and gradually among a growing coterie of fans. During this time he began recording, either on his own, as in some of the Blue Note supersessions, or with his own group. CBS have recently released a double album, entitled Benson Burner, compiled from quartet recordings in 1966-67. In this music the gutsty R&B influence is particularly evident. Polydor have also re-released- a ’6B L.P. Blue Benson, featuring Herbie Hancock and Billy Cobham. By the early 70’s Benson had landed a contract with CTI, and he made a number

of recordings, both as leader and sideman, with that label’s heavies: f Hancock, Ron Carter, Jack de Johnette, Freddie Hubbard et al. It was CTI who first directed him towards the pop market. His ’72 album White Rabbit (after the Jefferson Airplane hit) was : nominated for a Grammy. He even tried unI successfully for the top twenty with a formula-funk vocal single, "Supership.” Irrespective of the pop marketing, Benson was now firmly established as one of the great jazz guitarists. In both ’72 and ’74 he was voted best guitarist by his peers in Playboy’s “All-Star’s All-Stars” poll. After CTI he signed with Warner Brothers] where he made Breezin’ and the rest, as they say, is history. Breezin' has I sold well over 2 million copies making it the largestselling jazz album in history. Its appeal is 1 remarkably broad. (This writer knows both bowls-playing | retired business-men and fifteen-year-old disco dudes who own and love it.) Of course the music has changed. It is a heavily hybridized form of jazz that Benson | plays now. Electronic keyboards, bass guitar and ] ushTstn ng/moog (arrangements] [ replace the organ and tenor sax of yesteryear, and the rhythms are tailored to popular taste. Nonetheless the lyrical guitar style is still there. Whether you prefer Benson as pop singer, jazz guitarist or simply like his funky beat, his New Zealand performances should fulfil all expectations. (Benson’s new L.P. Weekend in LA. is reviewed elsewhere in this issue.) Peter Thomson Guitarist-singer George Benson is touring | New Zealand this month.