Big Boss Band

by George Benson

Overview

This project had its genesis back in 1983 with a Benson promise to Count Basie that he would record an album in his style, a promise partially fulfilled the following year with 20/20's "Beyond the Sea." Focusing on standards that steer commendably clear from tunes normally associated with Basie, Benson takes on the dual challenge of big-band singer and lead guitarist and succeeds with authority in both roles. The robust playing of the Basie band under Frank Foster poses absolutely no problems for Benson's muscular guitar, for he punches out the notes and octaves in irresistibly swinging fashion (for prime mature Benson, check out "Basie's Bag"). As a vocalist, he sounds solid and debonair, blending well with Basie vocalist Carmen Bradford on "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" There are two deviations from the format, though. "Baby Workout" starts out as an electronic dance number, augmented by horns, that harks back to his run of routine '80s albums. The sole Robert Farnon-arranged track, a lush orchestral treatment of "Portrait of Jennie" recorded in London, was salvaged from an aborted project that was promised back in 1988. Clearly Benson had wrestled control of his music from the accountants, and though the direction is conservative, it makes better use of his talents. ~ Richard S. Ginell

Product Details

Release Date:	02/26/2008
Label:	Wounded Bird
UPC:	0664140262928
Rank:	91403

Tracks

1. Without a Song
2. Ready Now That You Are
3. How Do You Keep the Music Playing?
4. On Green Dolphin Street
5. Baby Workout
6. I Only Have Eyes for You
7. Portrait of Jennie
8. Walkin' My Baby Back Home
9. Skylark
10. Basie's Bag

Album Credits

Performance Credits

George Benson   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Count Basie & His Orchestra   Primary Artist
Carmen Bradford   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Robert Farnon Orchestra   Primary Artist
Count Basie Orchestra   Primary Artist
Ron Carter   Guest Artist,Bass
Jon Faddis   Guest Artist,Horn
Randy Brecker   Guest Artist,Horn
James Pugh   Horn
Terry Burrus   Keyboards
Keith O'Quinn   Horn
Paul Faulise   Horn
Bashiri Johnson   Percussion
Frank Foster   Saxophone,Sax (Tenor)
David Witham   Keyboards
Earl Gardner   Horn
Lew Soloff   Horn
Richard Tee   Keyboards,Keyboard Bass
Byron Stripling   Soloist,Trumpet
David Glasser   Soloist,Saxophone,Sax (Alto)
Barry J. Eastmond   Piano,Keyboards
Ralph MacDonald   Percussion
Larry Farrell   Horn
Bob Ojeda   Soloist,Trumpet
Eith O'Quinn   Horn
Tim "T-Bone" Williams   Trombone
Barry Eastmond   Piano,Keyboards

Technical Credits

George Benson   Liner Notes,Composer,Producer,Performer
Johnny Mandel   Arranger
Jon Faddis   Group Member
James Pugh   Group Member
Jeff Toone   Engineer,Recording
Mary Ann Dibs   Art Direction
William Hughes   Group Member
Alonzo Tucker   Composer
Keith O'Quinn   Group Member
Paul Faulise   Group Member
J. Russel Robinson   Composer
Billy Rose   Composer
Jackie Wilson   Composer
Count Basie   Performer
Elliot Scheiner   Engineer,Recording
Duffy Jackson   Group Member
Frank Foster   Arranger,Composer,Group Member
Ed Rak   Mixing
Edward Eliscu   Composer
Greg Calbi   Mastering
Marilyn Bergman   Composer
Cleveland Eaton   Group Member
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Earl Gardner   Group Member
Lew Soloff   Group Member
Ned Washington   Composer
Randy Brecker   Group Member
Roy Turk   Composer
Quincy Jones   Arranger
Carl Carter   Group Member
Michel Legrand   Composer
Mike Williams   Group Member
Mel Wanzo   Group Member
Alan Bergman   Composer
Bronislaw Kaper   Composer
Byron Stripling   Group Member
Robin Lynch   Grooming
Gordon Burdge   Composer
Danny Turner   Group Member
Vincent Youmans   Composer
Dave Russell   Engineer,Recording
Hoagy Carmichael   Composer
Al Dubin   Composer
David Glasser   Group Member
Fred E. Ahlert   Composer
Doug Miller   Group Member,Group Member
Robert Farnon   Arranger
Peter Darmi   Engineer,Recording
David Foster   Arranger
Clarence Banks   Group Member
Al Schmitt   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Recording,Assistant Producer
Larry Farrell   Group Member
Harry Warren   Composer
Kenny Hing   Group Member
Robert Hakalski   Photography
Lorna Stovall   Design
Bob Ojeda   Arranger,Group Member
David Russell   Engineer
William Skip Rose   Composer
Charlton Johnson   Group Member
Alexander White   Stylist,Hair Stylist
George Cohn   Group Member
Tim Williams   Group Member
Little Johnny Williams   Group Member
Johnny Williams   Group Member
Mike "Love" Williams   Group Member
Russel Robinson   Composer
Melvin Wanzo   Group Member