Vintage, rare footage of this jazz guitar titan. Enjoy!
Пікірлер: 427
@GordiansKnotHere9 ай бұрын
That combination of Benson's playing and that beautiful Gibson is about as close to heaven as one can get on earth... Beautiful!
@chrisofficer42925 ай бұрын
I think that is a Super 500 - I played one of these models before owned by Mel Brown - guitar player for Bobby Blue Bland. It is a very physically large instrument - great tone - super cool.
@davidbirks71665 ай бұрын
I was 16 in 1966. I played guitar when I was 12 then, put the guitar away in favor of playing sports. Picked it back up when I was 15 and am still playing today. Boy... Am I glad I didn't see this in 1966. I might've called it quits!!! He is my favorite guitarist and is always a great source of inspiration. I mean, just to get close sometimes.....
@Benbutlermusic2 жыл бұрын
This tune is on The George Benson Cookbook- it’s called Benson’s Rider. You can even hear some of the same licks- but of course this live version is burning!
@diment08572 жыл бұрын
This is a real gem, filmed at the Newport Jazz Festival on July 2, 1966. Beside Benson who plays a beautiful Gibson Super 400 and is constantly fiddling with the knobs in search of the perfect killer tone, on Hammond B3 duties we can see a very young Lonnie Smith who passed away just recently (RIP) and an even younger Ronnie Cuber on bari sax performing a take-no-prisoners blues. As far as cinematography is concerned, this is on a par with Bert Stern's fabulous Jazz On A Summer's Day, musicians and audience are hipper than hip and beautifully filmed and edited throughout and the groove vibe is in the air and almost palpable. But this is 1966, just a year before the Summer Of Love and the Monterey Festival where things would take a different course musically. Priceless stuff, thanks for posting.
@Cheebasonic Жыл бұрын
Lonnie Smith was a legend and a gent !
@DavidleeBergeron11 ай бұрын
He was adjusting for each phrase!! Amazing!
@Alanoffer10 ай бұрын
That’s about as hip as it gets
@deloresrobertson337210 ай бұрын
Was this Newport Beach, CA...dee
@MrLgrichard29 күн бұрын
Big thanks to whomever posted this video. I thoroughly enjoyed it .. was awesome ..
@joedenisco603311 ай бұрын
One of the true Masters of my lifetime. That Super400 sounds great with some hair on it! George Benson. Extraordinary!
@Hexspa Жыл бұрын
This is insane even by today's standards
@vabez002 жыл бұрын
He was still 23 and yet this is an absolute gem of a masterclass in groove
@tonydejesus21349 ай бұрын
Unequaled greatness, possibly the greatest soloist in the history of the instrument. Apropos of nothing, I’ve never seen a guitarist who messes with his volume and tone knobs more frequently than Benson.
@OneFlewOver17767 ай бұрын
yeah because he has ADD..
@GeorgiaBoy1961Күн бұрын
Just a theory, but I think Benson is concerned with his arch-top feeding back and causing distortion. If you play jazz on that type of instrument - yeah, that's me, been there done that - they will feed back if you turn up the volume too much. Many guys stuff some foam into the sound holes to dampen the feedback or have a guitar tech install a "sound post," which is another fix for that issue. Benson later moved to playing an Ibanez which was a bit more of a hybrid in terms of being an arch-top hollow-body since I don't think it had a solid top but was partly laminated. Either way, regardless of instrument, Benson was on fire during this gig wasn't he?!
@outermarker58015 ай бұрын
Here from the Beato interview. 😀 I first really got into GB with his massive vocal era, but nice to see the young George he spoke about in that wonderful interview. He _always_ 'sang' melodies from his head to his fingers just as he said.
@valentinexyz Жыл бұрын
So few people that I know actually know THIS 'version' of George Benson! Brilliant.
@jellison710 жыл бұрын
You all are very welcome! I am so glad that you appreciated this fine performance. I will be on the lookout for more!
@englishguy96802 жыл бұрын
Could you tell me the name of this piece he’s playing please?
@TheGregory19678 ай бұрын
This is the GB I cherish. The man could shred. The latter material was popular and probably got him paid but his early work….whew!
@GeorgiaBoy1961Күн бұрын
I just wish the man had played a few more jazz dates here-and-there once he had hit the big time. His pop hits are pleasing enough, but to hear him burn through some jazz is just too cool for words! I tried for years to catch him sitting in with Lou Donaldson, but no luck. That man was tough to pin down....
@TheGregory1967Күн бұрын
@@GeorgiaBoy1961 gotta make that "dough ray me"! I've never seen him live either but have been fortunate to catch a plethora of fine axemen, ( Stanley Jordan being one who particularly stands out). GB is a pioneer and legend who conveys some kool memories and stories when interviewed. # Elite and groundbreaking player...
@steelcitytbirds10 ай бұрын
Every time I think he’s gonna zig, he zags and it’s perfect.
@r.a.fiallos2342 жыл бұрын
No one was playing guitar like this at that time. True virtuoso. Blown away by his facility with the instrument at this young stage of his career. His funky phrasing …my goodness. Definite influence from Grant Green and the great organists of the era.
@moosic2i2 жыл бұрын
I love the variation in tone, distortion and volume as George is searchin for the perfect balance.
@glen7695 Жыл бұрын
I got to see him Benson in a small club in 1972. Simply amazing. His voice is so strong that he didn't even sing in the microphone.
@jorgemauriciomercado288 Жыл бұрын
Wes was alive at that time !!
@r.a.fiallos234 Жыл бұрын
@@jorgemauriciomercado288 yes of course, and he was amazing and hugely influential for Benson as well. But just like Wes elevated the instrument, so did Benson. Another icon that elevated jazz guitar at the time was Pat Martino.
@donmilland7606 Жыл бұрын
yeah
@guitarttimman12 күн бұрын
People kid themselves. A jazz virtuoso of jazz can play anything even today's shred.
@DonDeering3 күн бұрын
I don't think that's even a compliment. You play what you feel.
@guitarttimman3 күн бұрын
@@DonDeering lol but nm
@brianj4090 Жыл бұрын
Good lord that sounds incredible. That tempo is moving right along and is pretty rare to hear someone bring that hard that fast. Benson plays it as good as anyone I’ve heard including Wes.
@keysersoze2k110 жыл бұрын
HUGE!!! He was a baby!!! So extraordinary, so beautiful. Music like this makes my heart; just happy.
@l15852 жыл бұрын
he was much younger when he released his first song in 1954 titled "she makes me mad"
@Keyboardman884 жыл бұрын
Little did anyone know, that around 10 years later. George Benson would have a record that would set the music world on fire.
@musicavariada6975 Жыл бұрын
What Is a Disc?
@johnnylikestobatman4 жыл бұрын
Fantastic.. Hard to believe George still improved so much after this. My all time favorite musician
@Deliquescentinsight2 ай бұрын
A Fender Bassman, nice choice George, this is a wonderful historical document, certainly but it sounds so fresh and hip, timeless
@robertoshidokan8 жыл бұрын
ahhh, this is the George Benson I remember. Also found on the album George Benson Cookbook. With Gene Taylor, Lonnie Smith (at first I thought it was JImmy Smith on the organ), Billy Kay and Ronnie Cuber. This KZbin video is so hot I think it just melted my computer!
@raphcourte4203 жыл бұрын
Its Uptown also has great tracks !! Clockwise is one of my favorites
@charleswinokoor60232 жыл бұрын
Cuber was a vital component.
@marshallsobin48794 ай бұрын
George great, but WES YOUR MENTOR USED HIS THUMB….. who was the bari player,JERRY MULLIGAN?
@hoisin75Ай бұрын
unreal talent then and now
@pierrechaouat3 жыл бұрын
I saw him playing this very theme in Paris in 1969. The concert featured K. Burrell. B. Kessel and G. Green. GB was playing as first part of the show. The audience was stunned. Unforgettable...
@xaipezaipe11 ай бұрын
The logical extension of Wes.
@ananyaraj89514 ай бұрын
I had played too many solos of George Benson and I was amazed to know his style it was an golden era in Jazz
@terencesommer54139 жыл бұрын
I love the 'George Benson Cookbook'. I also love jazz organ during the cool 60's period.
@life-is-inspiring39533 жыл бұрын
At age 23 he's already the best of the jazz guitar players.
@loveone42924 жыл бұрын
This is why i love KZbin
@andybaldman2 жыл бұрын
3:45 Flicking your cigarette in time with the music is so 1966.
@joe-k4x Жыл бұрын
Such a talent, it's amazing, and he never sang a note (yet)! I love his voice too, especially when he scats to his guitar licks. Pure genius.
@jimmymurphy77893 жыл бұрын
WOW !!! Truly the "Mohammed Ali Champ" of the Jazz Guitar - even way back in 1966. Thanks for posting.😀
@bobboberson20243 жыл бұрын
At 23 he's very particular with his sound - the constant knob adjusting. AND you see where his voicing originates: a dynamic attack, blues infusion, style. What a treasure to guitar.
@DadPhone-vr7oqАй бұрын
What a groove!
@Unmoved123459 жыл бұрын
Why doesn't this clip have 10,000,000 views?
@patbrennan65723 жыл бұрын
Those numbers belong to Bieber and the Kardashians. go figure.
@lordmccormick47922 жыл бұрын
I endorse this message! I’m see seeing this man live in two weeks! In 🇬🇧! He’s 80 years old Wanna talk legends!? Let’s talk….
@frederickjmillerjr28309 жыл бұрын
Such a cool performance by these cats, and GB working the knobs on that Super 400 like he means to find every little piece of badass tone that guitar has in it. A really inspirational piece and I'm sure I'll be borrowing licks off of this for a long time. Thanks, man! Blues cats everywhere are diggin' this.
@spb78833 жыл бұрын
Not to take away from your comment, but I think what Benson is doing with the knobs has more to do with volume and making sure he doesn’t feed back.
@menriquez893 жыл бұрын
@@spb7883 ahhhh that’s why it’s so crunchy right at the beginning.
@harveydents Жыл бұрын
@@menriquez89 Yeah 60s fender amps had a tendency to crunch up if you werent careful, ESPICALLY with a hollowbody.
@ChrisPetrocchi2 жыл бұрын
Not a note out of place. Just amazing
@leoquesto91839 ай бұрын
He was already awesome but there were many amazing players then of course - Pat Martino, John McLaughlin, to name just two.
@daisypom14 жыл бұрын
Amazing! I don't think enough credit has been given George Benson, he has a fine voice too, just love him!
@caprise-music6722 Жыл бұрын
Great sound! Epic video P.S he’s THIS good in 1966.. No wonder he’s an absolute monster in mid 1970’s on albums like Breezin’ , Bad Benson etc etc
@timothylawson3262 Жыл бұрын
And to think this is two years before the great West Montgomery passed, whould have been a blast seeing the two on stage together.
@scottanderson68073 жыл бұрын
I’ve never seen anybody mess with the knobs on their guitar more than this. Also, GB is a master.
@pandorski350003 жыл бұрын
it's almost a OCD
@menriquez893 жыл бұрын
I suppose he wasn’t happy with his tone?
@Picnuts3 жыл бұрын
OCD??? I don't know, but it works!!!
@danieldesjardins66153 жыл бұрын
Carlos Santana is a serious competitor in that domain!
@agomodern2 жыл бұрын
You can tell how he changes his technique after turning the knob. He knows exactly the sound he wants out of the guitar at any given moment.
@ChristienGagnier5 ай бұрын
amazing tone
@Courageexpert9 жыл бұрын
This is so fabulous. What a special experience to have been there. I saw him in the late 80s.
@jipes3 жыл бұрын
Such a natural and perfect swing it's stunning ! The Cookbook is a wonderful recording
@davedoyle9623 Жыл бұрын
George was knockin it down at this level at 23 years of age. What ax was he playing? You tell me . He could make a guitar from Sears and Roebuck sound good. Thanks you George, you showed us how its done.
@pinsk9410 ай бұрын
Gibson Super 400.
@SELMER19473 жыл бұрын
By far the best guitarist still alive
@DonDeering3 күн бұрын
Maybe, but Kenny Burrell is still my favorite
@Bennyplays10 жыл бұрын
Incredible footage! Thank you for sharing this. A "holy grail" clip for George Benson and jazz guitar fans!
@WorldwidewelcomE4 жыл бұрын
1000 THANKS 2 U 4 SHARING - THIS GREAT GUITAR- PLAYER of WORLD-CLASS and His FANTASTIC ORCH !!!
@moosic2i2 жыл бұрын
Wow, that tone, that groove.
@TimNelson5 жыл бұрын
Wow! Hugely important film, this. Consider how advanced George’s ideas were at this time. *Nobody* had comparable chops for another 20 or more years.
@fusionfan68834 жыл бұрын
Totally agree - sweep picking amongst other things! And George created a perfect fusing of bebop, soul and blues which is unmatched to this day.
@stevesilverman52964 жыл бұрын
@@fusionfan6883 There was this other kid, a year younger and not quite as funky, but nonetheless, right there with him in the chops department. George is from Pittsburgh, this other guy is from Philly but when George heard him for the first time, they were both in NY. His comment was, "just how good do you have to be to make it in NY?" Perhaps you've heard of him, his name is Pat Martino.
@fusionfan68834 жыл бұрын
I'm a huge Martino fan and respect his fight back to fitness after his brain surgery, but he lacks the variety of phrasing and down right soulfulness of George to my mind.
@electric86684 жыл бұрын
Tim Nelson Maybe but have you heard Grant Green?
@xxczerxx4 жыл бұрын
I think Joe Pass could keep up with Benson, listen to his early 60s albums with Pacific Records.
@elmoredneal53822 жыл бұрын
Wow! 😮 What an amazing and historic performance! 👏 It must have been incredible to see this live in person
@allakirichenko30222 ай бұрын
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO SOMEONE WHO RECORDED AND PUT IT HERE TODAY. THIS FESTIVAL IS EPIC.
@MrBrutus13910 жыл бұрын
Georgies got it goin on here baby! The whole combo is smoking!! I love the slightly overdriven tone George gets here!!!
@andybaldman2 жыл бұрын
Amazing he’s only 23 here, and he still sounds like George Benson. He found his voice early.
@johnsonolalekan7853 Жыл бұрын
The great and legendary Benson 🙌 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ ever unique and master of his craft 🙌 🎸🎸🎸🎸🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@wesleythomas48192 жыл бұрын
George has been great for a long time!😁
@thespianist2 жыл бұрын
Wow! I had no idea George was performing that yearly! I'm much more familiar with his 70s and 80s work.
@EleazarOctavioRuizSpreafico2 жыл бұрын
This is such a gem
@colettegilewicz819410 жыл бұрын
George Benson-guitar; Lonnie Smith-organ; Ronnie Cuber-baritone saxophone; Billy Kaye-drums.
@rcjinAZ Жыл бұрын
George never sacrificed the groove for flashy playing. You can tap your foot to that all the way through.
@MusicandmoreNl07810 жыл бұрын
Amazing stuff, thanks for sharing! Cookin' all over with these young cats. Love Dr lonnie's playing and of course incredible what George is doing. Ronnie is also spot on!
@City2x Жыл бұрын
Thanks for confirming my suspicion that that was indeed Dr Lonnie.
@toninoporti92252 жыл бұрын
Fantasticoooooo!! E fantasticiiiiii!! 🎸
@philipcramer940 Жыл бұрын
You could really see see how raw George's playing was at this stage of his career. He had only been playing this style a couple years at this point. Before that he was been playing in R&B bands in bars, small clubs and juke joints. In this particular video you can hear it and see it. He hadn't developed his signature sound yet. Ten years later he was selling 10's of millions of albums. The "Breezing" album is quintessential George Benson but I dig this stuff much more.This is an incredible clip.
@jackturner372111 ай бұрын
Raw GB❤
@meesterbenja10 жыл бұрын
This is great! I hope someone eventually digs up the Grant Green footage from the same festival.
@Keyboardman884 жыл бұрын
Someone did. no video, just pictures.
@edcherry92822 жыл бұрын
Kenny burrell was there too I think.. I would love to see another song from this set..
@meesterbenja2 жыл бұрын
@@edcherry9282 As do I, Ed.
@maracanazinha8 жыл бұрын
what a benson's rider!!!!! thanks for sharing it's a piece of art!!!!
@allakirichenko30222 ай бұрын
YES HE WAS AND IS BEST GUITARIST ON THIS PLANET.
@robertbuilder80012 жыл бұрын
Superb. Thanks for sharing this.
@YohoKnows Жыл бұрын
This is so fucking cool. It’s crazy getting to see George play straight ahead jazz.
@cerrem19 жыл бұрын
Very much enjoyed this performance... Thanks for posting it.... George's Bassman amp sounds like JBL D120 speakers in that box :)
@thomas.silvano Жыл бұрын
This guy's sounds excellent
@electriccampfire10 жыл бұрын
Couldn't resist working that line out at 3.00 :) George Benson Line - Video Notebook #01 I think I've played this video about a thousand times now :) Thanks for uploading it!
@jellison710 жыл бұрын
Mike, you are welcome-- a ton of great guitar lines in this performance!
@splashified704510 жыл бұрын
Such a cool sounding line! He plays pretty much the same line (ends differently though) but slower at about 1:40 on ain't that peculiar if you want to get a more detailed listen of it :)
@electriccampfire10 жыл бұрын
***** Ah! Thought I'd heard it before! Love this album. Thanks :)
@mcigraff10 жыл бұрын
everybody on that stage is incredible. This vid is great I hear the perfect amount of blues mixed with just the right amount of jazz for my tastes. Damn is is great.
@farachamounia91079 жыл бұрын
WOOOW Tout simplement Magnique !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Merci
@LloydMajor Жыл бұрын
Awesome!
@frankdavino718711 ай бұрын
That lick 3:00 to 3:05 awww man !....❤
@JanLarsenFredriksen2 жыл бұрын
Thaaaaank you. Wow, just great and so raw and fresh in the best sense. Very inspiring indeed.
@Picnuts3 жыл бұрын
He sure as hell deserved that standing ovation, damn that's sweet...
@Guitfiddlejase9 жыл бұрын
It's the "Cookbook" band! Lonnie Smith...Ronnie Cuber.. I am embarrassed to say I can't remember the name of this tune-but it is indeed from "Cookbook".. Thanks so much for posting this! What a treat!
@AviaodePapel9 жыл бұрын
I think it's called "Benson's Rider".
@kenforte88584 ай бұрын
For all of you dropping names of other artists who may have influenced George, Thanks. I grew up listening to soul and Funk of the 70’s. I listened to GB, Grover, Joe Sample etc, but am still making many jazz and blues discoveries. So when you say, “hey listen to this guy,” others of us will benefit because we will go listen. I play piano, and I have a chance to learn so much now from KZbin, so keep those recommendations coming. They may irritate a few,(although I can’t imagine why) but we all benefit in the long run.
@pobinr Жыл бұрын
So good so young
@davidpalmisano51154 жыл бұрын
George Benson is the best jazz guitarist ever, more musical than any other guitarist, and the most underrated.
@SELMER19473 жыл бұрын
Agree the best next to Charlie Christian, D Reinhardt ans Wes Montgomery
@bobgure Жыл бұрын
Thank you!! Not enough words…!
@philipatoz5 ай бұрын
I FAR prefer early Benson than his later, mega-popular stuff. But when he was playing pure blues and jazz - that's GB at his finest. When this was shot, George was like the new wonder kid / upstart - as the jazz guitarists of the day were still under the giant shadow of Wes Montgomery - in fact, this was recorded about two years before Wes passed away. And the organ stuff is a perfect contrast and counterpoint. Thank God it was put on film!
@alainsalemi60494 ай бұрын
Il était déjà le patron du jazz rock
@stevefaure4154 жыл бұрын
George is smokin! Not exactly sounding like he would in later years, but awesome. Glad he got away from the compulsive knob-adjusting, pretty much.
@Domingojazz2 жыл бұрын
To touch the volume knob can be a signal for sound technician but, as usual, he doesn't care...
@Torihope10002 жыл бұрын
🙄
@talmorris37402 жыл бұрын
The amp was distorting and he was trying to find the magic spot on the volume knob of that Super 400, basically the amp was failing and he had to deal and keep playing.
@felixkcl2 жыл бұрын
The real gem happens in 3'40"~ Love the cam man
@jean-lucbersou7589 жыл бұрын
.Birth of a Legend !... Kyrie...Ellison !..Kyrie...Benson ! Thanks for this precious testimony .And listen to the same team of fabulous musicians on "the shadow of your smile"...a piece of anthology !!
@lukewilliamsactual3691 Жыл бұрын
Benson's cranking that Fender Showman amp. According to an interview, Wes Montgomery was using one the first time George saw him. He said he was impressed with the amp. (As well as with Wes, of course!)
@JackRocko Жыл бұрын
oh yeah go George
@olivieraleman Жыл бұрын
Love George, local fella..,.this reminds me of Grants High Heeled Sneakers
@TheRealJohnEQuantum5 ай бұрын
His Birthday was yesterday and he is 81 and still playing. I hope I am still able to play at 81
@amoh53 жыл бұрын
Wow!!! Awesome rhythm and lead guitar skills from young Georgie!!! He's definitely been around for a long time before I was born, he's definitely old school playing a mean jazzy blues Wow!!!
@catboyzee10 ай бұрын
Killing it at 23. But you could tell he wasn't all that thrilled with his sound, as he was constantly adjusting his volume and tone knobs on his guitar throughout his set. But he was still finding his tonal voice, and the right equipment was forthcoming...
@user-cv9in5sg2q2 ай бұрын
Dr. Lonnie Smith on "Hammond B3" !
@abdulrahmanraheem4232 жыл бұрын
how anyone could be sitting down during this sprit moving performance is beyond my brains ability!
@OrdinaryNimda4 жыл бұрын
Oooo this is fantastic, including all of the band!
@streammyvideo573910 жыл бұрын
Big GB Fan, thanks for uploading classic footage!
@MrOldskoolmusiclvr628 жыл бұрын
I Love this early GB playing a Florentine cutaway Gibson Super 400 in a Sunburst finish!