The Best of George Benson [Warner Bros.]

Performer: George Benson (Guitarist)
Engineer: David Frazer; Elliot Scheiner; Gary Ladinsky; Bill Thomas; Joe Bogan; Al Schmitt; Michael O'Reilly; Thom Wilson; Bruce Swedien
Producer: Jay Graydon; Kashif; Quincy Jones; Russ Titelman; Arif Mardin; Tommy LiPuma; Matt Pierson (Compilation)
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel: George Benson (vocals, guitar); Jay Graydon (guitar, synthesizer); Ira Siegel, Lee Ritenour , Steve Lukather (guitar); Earl Klugh (acoustic guitar); Gary Herbig, Kim Hutchcroft, Larry Williams (flute, saxophone); Jerry Hey (trumpet, alto horn); Chuck Findley (trumpet); Bill Reichenbach Jr. (trombone); Jai Winding (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Ronnie Foster (electric piano, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer, mini-Moog synthesizer); Herbie Hancock (electric piano); Danny Sembello (Fender Rhodes piano, bass synthesizer, drums, programming, background vocals); David Paich (keyboards, synthesizer, bass synthesizer); James Newton Howard (keyboards, synthesizer); Greg Phillinganes (keyboards); Kashif (synthesizer, Synclavier, drums, percussion, background vocals); Preston Glass (synthesizer, percussion, programming); Frank Martin, Michael Boddicker, Randy Waldman, Steve Porcaro, David Foster (synthesizer); Richard Tee (bass synthesizer); Rob Mounsey (Synclavier); Leslie Ming, Harvey Mason, Sr. , Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd , Steve Kipner, Randy Goodrum (drums); Dave Weckl, Mike Baird (cymbals); Lenny Castro, Paulinho Da Costa, Ralph MacDonald, Stephen Benben, Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Bryan Lee Janszen, Narada Michael Walden (drum programming); Claytoven Richardson, Brenda White, Diva Gray, Carmen Twilley, Hamish Stuart , Jim Gilstrap, Jocelyn Brown, Lillo Thomas, Patti Austin, B.J. Nelson, Babi Floyd, Tom Bahler, Zachary Sanders, Bill Champlin (background vocals). Audio Mixers: David Frazer; Ed Rak; James Newton Howard; Jeremy Smith ; Jerry Hey; Al Schmitt; Michael O'Reilly; Russ Titelman; David Foster; Bruce Swedien. Recording information: 01/1976-??/1986. Photographer: Hans Neleman. Arrangers: Claus Ogerman; David Paich; James Newton Howard; Jay Graydon; Mike Mainieri. Unlike Collection, Warner Bros.' second George Benson compilation Best of George Benson only draws from the label's own catalog, so by definition it is a less representative sampler. And even then, it does not give a thorough overview of Benson's 17-year tenure at Warner Bros. Understandably for a best-of album, it concentrates on such hot-selling Benson vocal hits as "This Masquerade," "Give Me the Night," "Turn Your Love Around" and "On Broadway." Yet there is not so much as a single instrumental -- which borders on the criminal -- nor anything from Benson's last five Warners albums, the last three of which (Tenderly, Big Boss Band, Love Remembers) contain a good deal of his best mature work, if not any hits. For those only interested in George Benson, chartmaker, this will do. Otherwise, pass right by. ~ Richard S. Ginell Warner Bros.' second George Benson compilation, unlike Collection, only draws from the label's own catalog, so by definition, it's a less representative sampler. And even then, it does not give a thorough overview of Benson's 17-year tenure at Warner Bros. Understandably for a best-of album, it concentrates on such hot-selling Benson vocal hits as "This Masquerade," "Give Me the Night," "Turn Your Love Around," and "On Broadway." Yet there is not so much as a single instrumental, nor anything from Benson's last five Warners albums, the last three of which (Tenderly, Big Boss Band, Love Remembers) contain a good deal of his best mature work, if not any hits. So, in other words, this collection serves those who are interested in George Benson the chart-maker, and it's a fine collection for that audience. ~ Richard S. Ginell If a George Benson fan owned THE BEST OF GEORGE BENSON as well as THE GEORGE BENSON COLLECTION, he almost wouldn't have to own another George Benson CD. While there is some duplication of titles between the two Warner Brothers releases, this later release does as excellent a job of highlighting Benson's later career, as COLLECTION does for his earlier career. "I Just Wanna Hang Around You," "Love X Love," "20/20," "Kisses in the Moonlight," and "Lady Love Me (One More Time)" are among the newer song highlights on this 1995 CD.

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