Few musicians have seen the success that guitarist, vocalist and cultural icon George Benson has — platinum information, a file of the 12 months Grammy, 4 prime 10 hits. However from behind the gilded veil of fame, Benson’s immaculate chops shine by. He started engaged on the scene as a guitarist when he was an eight-year outdated again in Pittsburgh, Pa., and people chops led to gigs with jazz luminaries Brother Jack McDuff, Lou Donaldson and Lee Morgan, amongst others.
When his fame began reaching new heights within the Nineteen Seventies, although, the jazz group took umbrage to his success. “All people I do know within the jazz world who minimize a file that was distinctive or went out in entrance of all people else… [was] criticized for doing it.” Benson says. “They mentioned, ‘Nicely, it’s too industrial.’ In different phrases: It appealed to too many individuals, so one thing’s bought to be unsuitable with it.”
On this very particular episode, host Christian McBride sits down with George Benson to speak about his decades-long profession within the highlight, his new “misplaced” album Desires Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon and his rules as an artist. “My life doesn’t rely upon what the subsequent man is doing.” says Benson. “It’s what I do.”
Set Listing:
- “Love is Blue” (Bryan Blackburn / Pierre Cour / André Popp), from the album Desires Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon (Rhino)
- “A Music For You” (Leon Russell), from the album Desires Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon (Rhino)
- “The Cooker” (George Benson), from the album The George Benson Cookbook (Columbia)
- “This Masquerade” (Russell), from the album Breezin’ (Warner Bros.)
- “Stella by Starlight” (Victor Younger), from the album Tenderly (Warner Bros.)
- “The Best Love of All” (Michael Masser, Linda Creed), from The Best [Original Soundtrack] (Arista)
- “Deeper Than You Assume” (Joe Pattern), from the album Absolute Benson (GRP/Verve)
Credit:
Sarah Geledi, author and producer; Trevor Smith, consulting producer; Simon Rentner, consulting editor; Ron Scalzo, mastering; Steven A. Williams, govt producer; Suraya Mohamed, govt producer at NPR Music; Keith Jenkins, vice chairman of visuals and music technique at NPR; Christian McBride, host.