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George benson take five live12/12/2023 They conclude the set on an upbeat note with a swinging rendition of Billy Strayhorn's "Take the A Train," a staple of the Duke Ellington band since 1940. The beautiful Johnny Mandel ballad "The Shadow of Your Smile" is a fitting showcase for Jackson's shimmering vibes work. Special guest Milt Jackson then takes the stage to join Benson on some serious blowing on John Coltrane's modal burner "Impressions," which shows the great guitarist at his most unfettered and adventurous best. Just a couple years later, in the wake of the overwhelming success of "This Masquerade" from Breezin', Benson would be singing more and playing decidedly less on his instrument than he showcases here. Next up is "My Latin Brother," a funky Benson original introduced on Bad Benson and which perfectly showcases his mind-boggling chops before this Carnegie crowd. Benson's lone vocal number of this Carnegie set comes on a soulful rendition of Lalo Schifrin's "Down Here on the Ground," a tune previously covered in instrumental versions by Benson's role models Grant Green and Wes Montgomery and which he would later record on 1978's Grammy-winning Weekend in L.A. Although he had introduced a version of this popular jazz staple on 1974's Bad Benson and also recorded it on his In Concert-Carnegie Hall, recorded in January of 1975, this dynamic live version is far more visceral, brimming with Benson's sizzling fretboard abandon and further ignited by Foster's outre excursions on an arsenal of heavily-effected keyboards. Benson again is relentless aggressive on this anthemic jazz standard, pulling no punches while laying out guitar aficionados with his campaign of six-string shock and awe. Next up is a faithful rendition of Paul Desmond's "Take Five," a tune which became so closely associated with the Dave Brubeck Quartet and which launched an entire generation of jazz fans. All of Benson's jaw-dropping six-string signatures are evident on this astounding opening showcase. They open on an energized note with the clavinet-fueled rendition of an unnamed Latin flavored jam that has the great guitarist flowing effortlessly over the bar-line with remarkable drive and mind-blowing facility. Jazz vibraphone legend Milt Jackson, a bebop pioneer and charter member of the Modern Jazz Quartet, appears as a special guest on three tracks.īenson's unparalleled chops are in full effect throughout this high-powered set. He is accompanied at this Carnegie Hall concert by the two-keyboard tandem of Ronnie Foster and Jorge Dalto, electric bassist Stanley Banks (who still tours with Benson to this day), drummer Marvin Chapell and percussionist David Diggs. Still signed to Creed Taylor's CTI label, Benson performed material from Bad Benson, his successful soul-jazz crossover album released by CTI the previous year. George Benson - lead guitar, vocals Ronnie Foster - keyboards Jorge Dalto - piano Stanley Banks - electric bass Marvin Chapell - drums David Diggs - percussion Special guest: Milt Jackson - vibesĪt the time of this Newport Jazz Festival appearance, Benson was still a year away from his breakthrough triple-platinum smash hit, Breezin', which was produced by Tommy LiPuma and released on Warner Bros.
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