George Benson

George Benson is the first predominately jazz-oriented musician in 20 years to undergo the
rare phenomenon that simultaneously metamorphosed the careers of Nat "King" Cole and
Ray Charles. Like Benson, Cole and Charles were successful, often brilliant instrumentalists
whose vocals caught the mass ear and eventually pushed their musicianship into second
place. Happily, Benson seems intent on maintaining equal billing for his guitar an... More >

Upon reflection, it seems to me that what Benson does these days isn't a sellout but an apotheosis--this kind of palaver has been the soul of jazz guitar since the '50s. Turn those amps up!. Let's hear some distortion! (Grade: C+)