George Benson: Weekend In London

Rating: ★★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

George Benson (v, g)

Label:

Provogue Records

September/2020

Media Format:

CD, LP, DL

Catalogue Number:

PRD76151

RecordDate:

2019

This new live album from the Pittsburgh-born guitarist captures last year's performance at Ronnie Scott's as part of the club's 60th anniversary celebrations. Dusting down an impressive array of crowd-pleasing hits, from ‘Give Me The Night’ and ‘Love X Love’ to ‘In Your Eyes’ and Turn Your Love Around’, Benson's mellifluous vocals, artful scatting and fleet-fingered guitar runs possess a thrilling immediacy, aided by a recorded sound that is jaw-droppingly good. Excerpted from his most recent studio album, Walking To New Orleans, Benson pays tribute to one of his musical heroes, the late great Fats Domino, with ‘I Hear You Knocking’. ‘Love Ballad’ features one of the most recognisable sounds in jazz: Benson scatting in perfect unison with his deftly picked guitar lines.

Penned by James Taylor, who first recorded it on his 1972 album One Man Dog, and famously covered by The Isley Brothers and Isaac Hayes, Benson's take on ‘Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight’ is a standout. The band gets to stretch out on the José Feliciano instrumental ‘Affirmation’, recorded by Benson on his classic 1976 album Breezin‘. Judging by the rapturous response of a sold-out Ronnie's, a great night was had by all.

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