Customer Reviews

The George Benson Collection

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In 1981 Warner Brothers released this set on two cassettes with 17 tracks, later on the CD included 15 tracks.

Let's disect this compilation.

The disc starts off with the bouncy, "Turn Your Love Around", a #5 hit on the Billboard charts and then the duet, "Love All The Hurt Away" with Aretha Franklin that was a modest soft hit. The The album gets cooking with "Give Me The Night" which garnered Benson a Grammy Award. The set goes on to to include "Cast Your Fate To The Wind", which was not on CD and "Never Give Up On A Good Thing", which was on the top 100, the b-side of Turn Your Love Around, and was also shelved. Then the set goes on to the greats, "On Broadway, White Rabbit and This Masquerade". The second part of the "collection" kicks off with "Love Ballad" in which George reworks LTD's '76 #1 single. "Nature Boy" was the peak at which George went for pop hits instead of his jazz standards. It was a #2 on the r&b charts in '77 and includes some juicy keyboards by Ronnie Foster that was edited out on the single. The third CTI single, "Last Train To Clarksville" gets the listener in a sort of a traveling mood. "Livin' Inside Your Love" is up next and includes George and his protege' Earl Klugh on acoustic guitar. The final CTI single "Here Comes The Sun" is a prelude to his Warner pop hits. Next comes "Breezin" his most enduring works. The single was #1 across the board and propelled George Benson into stardom. "Moody's Mood" a single from the "Give Me The Night" album garnered him best r&b performance of the year. "We Got The Love" a single from Chaka Khan's first solo album is great. The set concludes with "The Greatest Love of All", which was on the The Greatest's opening credits was on the top 100 in '75. If you are a fan and want a definitive look get The George Benson Anthology which is wonderful, but if you want strictly his top 100 hits go for this one. One extra note: the cassette version includes the tracks that were deleted on CD, it maybe on two tapes but those tracks are great.

If you only buy one George Benson CD, this is the best all-around retrospective; but be warned--those of us who grew up with the album version (you remember albums, don't you?) will be disappointed to learn that "Cast Your Fate to the Wind," one of the LPs best instrumental cuts, was deleted from the CD in order to contain it to a single disc. Other than that (significant) flaw, it's good to hear the classic guitar work and stellar vocals on CD.

Nearly 20 years after its release, and almost in spite of itself, "Collection" remains the best one-stop tour of George Benson's pop/jazz/R&B guitar/singing career.

The LP joins Benson's late 70's-early 80s Warner Bros. hits ("Turn Your Love Around," "On Broadway") with carefully chosen covers from his years on Creed Taylor's CTI label (a flamenco flavored "Last Train to Clarksville," an Afro-Cuban grooved "White Rabbit," with Earl Klugh).

Zigzagging between eras unintentionally plays down Benson's virtuoso guitar soloing (and fun bop-along singing), while spotlighting his less satisfying straight pop vocals. Compare Benson's tender, tentative version of "Here Comes The Sun" with his strained vocal on 1977's "Greatest Love of All." Or worse, his duets with powerhouses Chaka Khan and Aretha Franklin. Quincy Jones understood both sides of the singer, and Q's productions on 1980's "Moody's Mood" and the hit "Give Me The Night" are highlights. When jazz was emphasized (as on the tracks from 1976's Grammy-winning "Breezin'"), Benson showed his true passion and talent.

This was shown when, after some smaller R&B hits ("Inside Love," "20/20") Benson returned to vintage jazz with traditional albums like "Tenderly" and "Big Boss Band." But warts and all, "Collection" reminds you that "smooth jazz" once was a new way for musicians like Benson to grow appreciation for traditional music, rather than mask soft, glitzy pop instrumentals.

This collection spot lights George's best pop tunes and acknowledges his jazz roots with cuts from White Rabbit, Other Side of Abby Road, and Breezin'. Great guitar work and soulful vocals show why George has been so popular with both jazz and popular music fans for nearly 4 decades. Highly recommended.

This album shows all of George Benson's hits. Although a few songs are harder to find as good as others, all of them are great. I especially like "White Rabbit," which is a tune with a style of great cool jazz and some touches of Mexican music. The disc shows other famous tunes like "Broadway" or "Give Me the Night." I think if you want some good, popular jazz, this disc is for you!

I have this CD. The one song that is missing is "Never Give Up On A Good Thing" It should have been between "Give Me The Night" and "On Broadway". But I really enjoy this CD. A Classic.

George Benson is AWESOME, AWESOME I TELL YA! HE'S THE MASTER OF SINGING AND GUITARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE IS THE JAZZ GOD!!!!! With great classics like "Turn Your Love Around", "Give Me the Night, "Never Give Up On A Good Thing", "On Broadway", "This Masquerade", "Breezin", and "Last Train To Clarksville",

I had the cassette tape but the player died. And I think the tape was just about worn out. So I purchased the CD and I'm very happy I did. George Benson is the best and so is "Broadway".

This CD was pure George Benson. The selection was wonderful; his playing was moving; and the CD was worth the price. I would recommend this CD for all George Benson fans, old and new.

This collection covers many of his most popular songs up to 1981 or so. The disco beat of "Give Me The Night," the smooth guitar work in "Breezin," and the original version of "The Greatest Love Of All" make this a collection that shows his pop side. It also shows his jazzier side, with songs like "Last Train To Clarksville." The show stopper is his version of "On Broadway." While it doesn't compare to the version by the Drifters, it still is one of the best performances he has ever done. Overall, a collection that doesn't miss.