|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
 Leaves you hungry for more Nov 20, 2009
I first heard this music on vinyl at a friends in the 80's. I had to have a copy then, but at the time could not find one, as the album was already out of print. When, by curiosity a few weeks ago, I found that this album by CTI had been reissued on CD, I had to have a copy, at any price (or almost...). When the CD came, I listened to it almost every day in the car, and it brightened my day.
Reading the liner notes one learns that George Benson and the late Joe Farrell recorded this music in just a few days, and that it was more to boost Joe's popularity whilst having George fulfill contractual obligations than anything else. But that didn't work, because someone or some thing more powerful decided that a fantastic, but short album would be the result, and what music. Joe and George fit like like hand in glove on 5 great songs. They are backed up by the likes of Will Lee (on electric bass) and Andy Newmark (on drums...). The result is fabulous. This music is positive, sunny music, and you feel good when you listen too it.
I can only find 2 faults. 1, that there are only 5 tracks recorded (one is hungry for more...), and 2, that a follow up was never made, such a shame. My favourite track is the 4th, "Rolling Home". The music is sweet and easy going, yet has a haunting effect that I can't better explain. The best thing is to get a copy of this CD and judge for yourself ;-).
Fine Collaboration between two Greats ! May 10, 2009
This is one of those collaborations between two virtuosos that actually works well. The interplay between George and Joe is definitely captivating. The songs are arranged and done well, by David Matthews more along the lines of 'smooth jazz'. However the level of musicianship is high and one can not deny Benson's mastery of the instrument which is evident here as well as his more acclaimed 'Jazz' albums. A few tracks that stand out: Flute Song is mellow with great interplay between the the artists. Old Devil Moon gets the two of them really cooking well with very fine flute work from Farrell and great guitar interjections from Benson, with Gary King maintaining a great groove. Folks may call it 'smooth jazz' - but this is way more soulful that what you hear on the airwaves today.
On another note...
To folks who say Benson 'sold out' in talking about his Warner Bros. Masquerade recordings, I suggest you listen to the pre-CTI Benson - 1968 recording "Blue Benson" and the 1971 recording "The Other Side of Abbey Road', where one hears his vocal talents 5-8 years before "Breezin'". Benson himself characterized his music as "sophisticated rhythm and blues" in an interview with the great Jazz critic Leonard Feather.
Often, it is the listener and fan that tries to compartmentalize musicians and sooner or later the greatest artists free themselves from these bounds by embracing different modes of expression.
Quoting from the album liner notes in "Good King Bad" (CTI6062), George Benson says: "I just want the freedom to express myself... I just want the room to dance on my instrument".
GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT Nov 08, 2007
I GOT THIS RECORD AS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM MY GIRLFRIEND AT THE TIME, BARBARA, WAY BACK IN 1976. I GREW UP LISTENING TO JAZZ MUSIC, AND IN THE 1970'S, GEORGE BENSON AND JOE FARRELL WAS TWO FO THE MOST POPULAR ARTISTS AROUND AT THE TIME. THIS IS A GREAT CD, I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO IT FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND WAS MADE JUST BEFORE GEORGE BENOSN SOLD OUT AND WENT TOTALLY COMMERCIAL (THE SONG "THIS MASQUERADE" MAKES ME WANT TO PUKE, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS WRITTEN BY ANOTHER OF MY FAVOIRTES, LEON RUSSELL). MY FAVORITE CUT ON THE ALBUM IS "OLD DEVIL MOON".
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
flute song ! ! ! ! Apr 01, 2003
Grabado en Van Gelder Studios durante marzo y septiembre de 1976 bajo los arreglos de David Matthews y producido por Creed Taylor en este disco acompañan a estos dos grandes musicos, Don Grolnick en el piano, will lee y gary king en el bajo, andy newmark en la bateria, eric gale y el gran steve khan en la guitarra entre otros, abren el disco con flute song excelente melodia demostrando un gran dueto y gran calidad interpretativa, pasando despues a Beyond the ozone donde interviene steve khan y nicky marrero, disco fenomenal, este disco lo tengo en vinil dentro de mi coleccion en la seccion de jazz ............benson & farrell cool ! ! !
|
| |
|
![Up (4 Disc Combo Pack with Digital Copy and DVD) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V%2Beipy8-L._SL75_.jpg "Up (4 Disc Combo Pack with Digital Copy and DVD) [Blu-ray]")
![Across the Universe [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51T24FuHPEL._SL75_.jpg "Across the Universe [Blu-ray]")
![Underworld Trilogy (Underworld / Underworld: Evolution / Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F27VzUl%2BL._SL75_.jpg "Underworld Trilogy (Underworld / Underworld: Evolution / Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) [Blu-ray]")
![Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RQUEopdlL._SL75_.jpg "Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour [Blu-ray]")
