Fretplay.com George Benson CD reviews George Benson guitar tabs George Benson CD reviews George Benson tabs Shape of Things to Come


George Benson - Shape of Things to Come Audio CD

A fair review of the George Benson "Shape of Things to Come" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all George Benson reviews here, or go back to the George Benson tabs.

George Benson Band: George Benson
Title: Shape of Things to Come
Rating:
Release Date: 2007-09-18
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Footin' It 2: Face It Boy, It's Over 3: Shape of Things to Come [From Wild in the Streets] 4: Chattanooga Choo Choo 5: Don't Let Me Lose This Dream 6: Shape of Things That Are and Were 7: Last Train to Clarksville

An Apt Title
Those who go further back with Benson's music than I do know that Shape of Things To Come is more apt as a title for this album than most people suspected at the time of its initial release. I go way back with George Benson, though not nearly as far back as some of his early jazz titles like this that are now thankfully being remastered. For it is here that Benson's musical personality starts to come into its own, bearing on nimble fingers promises of a future greatness.
As one reviewer said, Benson was heavily influenced by Wes Montgomery. That is evident in his play. But I think that the songs chosen for inclusion were heavily influenced by the record company. Many who were jazz fans in the late sixties will remember that the jazz fashion of the times, particularly on the A&M, CTI, and Verve labels, was to try to increase crossover appeal of jazz artists by having them do covers of well-known standards and contemporary hits. With Shape Of Things To Come, five of seven songs are covers.
I pretty much enjoy the entire CD. My favorite is the cover of the title cut, but I also really enjoy Benson's take on Don't Let Me Lose This Dream and his own swinging Shape of Things That Are And Were. On that last Benson really cuts loose and demonstrates that he is becoming a world-class jazz guitarist in his own right. I should mention that I was not familiar with the song Face It Boy, Its Over but it sounds to me a lot like Stone Soul Picnic.
Benson's band features some top-notch sidemen. Most notable is Charles Covington who plays organ on four of the cuts. The only real negative aspect is that it clocks in at just over thirty minutes long and so seems to be over almost before it starts. But if you love the kind of music George Benson put out before he convinced himself he'd rather be a soul man than a jazzbo, then Shape of Things To Come merits a spot in your collection. Get it before it disappears again.


wonderful......
benson works it fills u with joy and happiness. this is one of my favorates g. i listened to it many times and every time i return back again.


Some great early Benson
This is the second CD reissue, the first being # 0803 in the A&M digi-pack jazz series back in 1988. Issued on vinyl as A&M SP 3014, CTI series, in 1968, this album demonstrates how Benson was influenced by the late Wes Montgomery but was already developing individual flair. Unfortunately many of the great albums in that series haven't been seen since. The title tune (from the movie "Wild in the Streets") and "Chattanooga Choo Choo" are outstanding tracks. Pick this up while you can still get it without paying import prices.


You can see a complete list of all George Benson discography, or go back to the George Benson tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

Search guitar tabs

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
[ Search tabs | Guitar tabs | Bass tabs |
Easy guitar tabs | Guitar solo tabs |
Acoustic guitar tabs | Guitar chords |
How to read guitar tabs ]
Forum topics
Music forums
- Bands and artists - Songwriting and lyrics - Tablature talk - Promote your band
Instrument forums
- Guitar basics - Gear & accessories - Bass guitar
Community
- The pit - Site Feedback - Reviews
[ User survey | About us | Privacy statement ]