Big Boss Band

George Benson, Count Basie Orchestra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 26, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Wounded Bird Records
• ASIN: B000YPMQ6C
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,097 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Singing, Guitar, Big Band and Arrangements, June 17, 2005

By 

Charles Koeppen (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Big Boss Band (Audio CD)

Wow! Having been introduced to George Benson with his "Beyond the Blue Horizon" album in the 70's, I watched him progress by purchasing "Breezin'", "Give Me the Night", and "George Benson Collection". Then I lost interest as my musical tastes expanded. So now, after many years, I try to find something else by him that I might like. It was tough. He's a fine singer and brilliant musician, but he's stretched so far into smooth jazz and R&B that I almost wouldn't even recognize that a lot of his newer stuff was his without being told. Fortunately, thanks to the samples here on Amazon, I was able to stumble onto this one. What I was looking for was a good mix of George Benson's singing and guitar playing in a straight up jazz setting. I wasn't expecting to find it with a big band backdrop, but to my surprise here it is. And one cookin' big band it is. I wouldn't expect less from the Count Basie band, and I wouldn't expect less from George Benson. I know George Benson has been a part of several big bands, including a late '70's PBS television appearance with Benny Goodman and backing Frank Sinatra on the 1984 "L.A. Is My Lady" album, but never as the featured singer to my knowledge. It's a natural progression. Too bad it took so long to happen as I'm sure Count Basie would have loved to witness it. This CD is brilliant.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "It don't mean a thing if ain't got that swing!", December 29, 2002

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Big Boss Band (Audio CD)

And "Big Boss Band" really swings. Featuring Benson's smooth vocals, his exquisite guitar, and the backing from the highly revered Count Basie Orchestra, the album is a pop and jazz lover's delight.

Highlights on the 41:41 release are the standards "Without a Song", "I Only Have Eyes for You" and "Walkin' My Baby Back Home". "Portrait of Jennie" is as close to heaven as is musically possible. The duet between Benson and Carmen Bradford on the Patti Austin-James Ingram hit "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" does the original proud.

And Benson does homage to Ella with his own brand of "scatting".

This is what music is all about.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Are The Stars Out Tonight? . . . I Don't Know If It's Cloudy Or Bright", January 7, 2007

By 

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Big Boss Band (Audio CD)

"In 1983, I made a promise to the late Count Basie to do his music justice on an album such as this. And so, it is a special privilege to present to the lovers of Big Band music this album, which is very dear to me. The spirit of the Basie legacy permeated these sessions as I approached each one in the way I believed the Count would have wanted. The Robert Farnon contribution (as well as that of the extraordinary U.K. musicians) to this album is much appreciated because of Robert's status and reputation as one of the greatest arrangers of our time. I look forward to a future album with this great orchestrator and friend whom I have come to love." ~ George Benson, Liner Notes, 1990 ~

Yes, indeed, it would have been nice if George Benson has made an album orchestrated by Robert Farnon, an exceptional arranger/conductor who died a year ago and whose works especially on Sinatra recordings are absolute masterpieces. Although he arranged and conducted his own orchestra on only a single song here, it's truly remarkable and one of the album's highlights, "A Portrait of Jennie."

I love Big Band music and to me "Big Boss Band" is one of the greatest albums of all-time. It's not only a representation of George Benson's flair in guitar playing (aren't Ibanez guitars amazing?) but also his exceptional vocal artistry and creativity in scatting. It features Count Basie Orchestra on all nine tracks and Robert Farnon and his Orchestra on track seven.

Every track is a winner, but I'm truly impressed with his take on Harry Warren and Al Dubin's "I Only Have Eyes For You," (a song dedicated to all the members of "The Loyal Hearts Club").

"Are the stars out tonight?
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
I only have eyes for you, dear
The moon maybe high
But I can't see a thing in the sky
I only have eyes for you
I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you."

George Benson sings with brilliant ease a gem from Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael, "Skylark." His powerful voice and effortlessly stunning singing and guitar playing style combined with Count Basie Orchestra's amazing works made this song so special. And same with "On Green Dolphin Street," "Walkin' My Baby Back Home," "Without A Song" and not to mention the beautiful duet with Carmen Bradford, "How Do You Keep The Music Playing?"

This is a great addition to your George Benson collection or your Big Band music collection. It's definitely a keeper.

Wholeheartedly recommended.