Big Boss Band

• Artist: George Benson with the Count Basie Orchestra
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1990
• Total Time: 41:21
• Type: Instrumental
• Genre: Jazz

Review

This project had its genesis back in 1983 with a Benson promise to Count Basie that he would record an album in his style, a promise partially fulfilled the following year with 20/20's "Beyond the Sea." Focusing on standards that steer commendably clear from tunes normally associated with Basie, Benson takes on the dual challenge of big-band singer and lead guitarist and succeeds with authority in both roles. The robust playing of the Basie band under Frank Foster poses absolutely no problems for Benson's muscular guitar, for he punches out the notes and octaves in irresistibly swinging fashion (for prime mature Benson, check out "Basie's Bag"). As a vocalist, he sounds solid and debonair, blending well with Basie vocalist Carmen Bradford on "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" There are two deviations from the format, though. "Baby Workout" starts out as an electronic dance number, augmented by horns, that harks back to his run of routine '80s albums. The sole Robert Farnon-arranged track, a lush orchestral treatment of "Portrait of Jennie" recorded in London, was salvaged from an aborted project that was promised back in 1988. Clearly Benson had wrestled control of his music from the accountants, and though the direction is conservative, it makes better use of his talents. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Without a Song	Vincent Youmans, William Skip Rose, Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose	George Benson, Count Basie Orchestra	(4:11)
Ready Now That You Are	Frank Foster	George Benson, Count Basie Orchestra	(5:50)
How Do You Keep the Music Playing?	Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman	George Benson, Carmen Bradford, Count Basie Orchestra	(5:04)
On Green Dolphin Street	Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington	George Benson, Count Basie Orchestra	(4:08)
Baby Workout	Alonzo Tucker	George Benson, Count Basie Orchestra	(3:51)
I Only Have Eyes for You	Al Dubin, Harry Warren	George Benson, Count Basie Orchestra	(2:57)
Portrait of Jennie	J. Russel Robinson	George Benson, Count Basie Orchestra	(4:29)
Walkin' My Baby Back Home	Fred E. Ahlert, Roy Turk	George Benson, Count Basie Orchestra	(3:04)
Skylark	Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer	George Benson, Robert Farnon Orchestra	(5:07)
Basie's Bag	George Benson	George Benson, Count Basie Orchestra	(3:00)

Credits

Count Basie (Performer), Count Basie (?), George Benson (Guitar), George Benson (Vocals), George Benson (Producer), George Benson (Main Performer), George Benson (Performer), George Benson (Liner Notes), Ron Carter (Bass), Jon Faddis (Horn), Jon Faddis (Group Member), Lew Soloff (Horn), Lew Soloff (Group Member), Terry Burrus (Keyboards), Cleveland Eaton (Group Member), Ralph MacDonald (Percussion), Carmen Bradford (Vocals), Carmen Bradford (Harmony Vocals), Clarence Banks (Group Member), Bashiri Johnson (Percussion), Randy Brecker (Horn), Randy Brecker (Group Member), Greg Calbi (Mastering), Carl Carter (Group Member), George Cohn (?), Barry Eastmond (Piano), Barry Eastmond (Keyboards), Robert Farnon (Arranger), Robert Farnon Orchestra (?), Larry Farrell (Horn), Larry Farrell (Group Member), Paul Faulise (Horn), Paul Faulise (Group Member), Frank Foster (Arranger), Frank Foster (Sax (Tenor)), Earl Gardner (Horn), Earl Gardner (Group Member), David Glasser (Sax (Alto)), David Glasser (Soloist), David Glasser (Group Member), Kenny Hing (Group Member), Duffy Jackson (Group Member), Charlton Johnson (Group Member), Douglas Miller (?), Keith O'Quinn (Horn), Keith O'Quinn (Group Member), Bob Ojeda (Trumpet), Bob Ojeda (Arranger), Bob Ojeda (Soloist), Bob Ojeda (Group Member), Ed Rak (Mixing), David Russell (Engineer), Elliot Scheiner (Engineer), Al Schmitt (Producer), Al Schmitt (Engineer), Al Schmitt (Mixing), Al Schmitt (Assistant Producer), Byron Stripling (Trumpet), Byron Stripling (Soloist), Byron Stripling (Group Member), Richard Tee (Keyboard Bass), Jeff Toone (Engineer), Mel Wanzo (Group Member), John Williams (?), Mike Williams (?), David Witham (Keyboards), James Pugh (Horn), James Pugh (Group Member), George Cohen (Group Member), William Hughes (Group Member), Tim "T-Bone" Williams (Trombone), Peter Darmi (Engineer), Mary Ann Dibs (Art Direction), Robin Lynch (Grooming), Robert Hakalski (Photography), Eith O'Quinn (Horn), Lorna Stovall (Design), Dave Russell (Engineer), Alexander White (Hair Stylist), Alexander White (Stylist), Mike "Love" Williams (Group Member), Doug Miller (?), Danny Turner (?), Little Johnny Williams (Group Member)