Hey Rick! Sat my 19 year old down and I watched him just melt into being a GB fan. On his bedroom walls he’s got his fav guitarists: Beck. SRV. Jimi. BB. Eric Johnson Gotta find a George Benson poster for him for Xmas now. Funny, he prefers posters where the guitarist is smoking a cigarette…and he doesn’t smoke. Kids these days lol You gave me quality time with my kid man…thanks
There’s a great black & white photo of GB smoking taken by the legendary Francis Wolff during the sessions for Lou Donaldson’s “Alligator Boogaloo” album. Rare because he’s long since stopped smoking, this was when he was in his 20s. It’s not hard to find with an image search. I’d link to it, but it won’t seem to let me.
He is playing what he is singing which is the distinction a lot of people miss. Many people tell me he sings what he plays and I have to explain it is the opposite. Improvisation is pretty much exactly that, playing what he hears and sometimes he sings it as he plays it😊
thats how it goes regularly. A musician goes the more easy (and better) way, to memorise first, and as soon you hvae that sound in mind, your hands/fingers follows. I am deep in Indian classics. Three the oral memorizing (singing) is essential part of the music education and practise of even the biggest maestros.
I need to live a couple lives concurrently so I have a shot at pouring all that skill and knowledge into my own head. Some people are close to being genius level and they just don't know it....or maybe they do.
A lot of musicians are only focused on one genre. Then there are those certain special individuals who can adapt to any style of music. Rick is part of the latter.
His refusal to call himself a guitarist literally ruined me on the instrument for awhile, though. If someone that good refuses to call himself a guitarist, what does that make me? A step above Guitar Hero, on my best day. That's what.
I've watched several long videos on jazz guitar improvisation and learned almost nothing. You come with a 6-minute video and teach me more than all those videos combined. Thank you, Rick!
Frankly, you tell me, but I really don’t know how you’d go about trying to actually teach that. And I’m not even talking about the genius of something like the timing & feel of George Benson, which is obviously God-given….
@lplucasarts Question for you - & any other guitar players: my son-in-law plays guitar in a blues/rock bank, but he only plays by ear. Do you know, would he be able to benefit from Rick's new music theory course for songwriters, or would you need to be able to read music to learn from the course? I was thinking of buying it for him as a Christmas present.
I’m following George Benson since I was 16 now I’m 61. I’ve seen him eight or 10 times in Europe and in my hometown Cologne Germany His music has a big influence for my life and taste of music beside Earth, Wind & Fire
Mr. Benson has the technique to be sure, but I'm afraid that he totally ruined "Take Five" by playing it in a "funky", stiff, eighth-note rhythm. Just my personal opinion. No one has to be angry with me because of it. I appreciate Mr. Benson as much as anyone and we are both from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by the way.
He's doing just what Skunk Baxter was talking about in your interview with him, learn to "sing" with the guitar and it becomes your voice. So cool to see it in application.
Yeah, I’m glad the video said “MOST young people” because imo like George Benson had a nice feel on even his earlier records before he started to sing more, he just got more and more refined as time went on.
My neighbors took me to see George Benson in 1980 at the Circle Star. My first concert. I wasn’t even into him. I wanted to see rock concerts. But that concert ruined many subsequent concerts by other artists, because the show was amazing and I’ll never forget how happy people were dancing in the aisles and how good he was. Thank you GB.
I just purchased one of George's guitars from his personal collection, Ibanez GB10EM-AA 5B-02 Owned by George Benson. Always been a huge fan. I recorded a few songs in his recording studio in Lahaina Maui back in the early 90s, to shop in Los Angeles for a recording deal. I love watching Benson's concerts on YT.
I worked for a production company back in the early 2000s and we did a show at Red Bank, NJ for George Benson. It was unbelievable! His singing and playing were out of this world. I was so inspired I wrote an instrumental song the next morning on Father's Day. My daughter gave me a hand-drawn picture of a sunset that she labeled "Sunset Picture" for Father's Day. (She was about 10 at the time.) I titled the song "Sunset Picture". One of my favorite life memories tied to music and fatherhood.
SImply one of the most technically gifted and musically versatile guitarists, his fluid, melodic phrasing and masterful improvisational skills can't be beat. Salute & Peace
George Benson is my #1 favorite guitarist. In the late 70's I bought every single album that he produced and listened to them 24/7. I remember his Charlie Christian tribute sessions with Benny Goodman on public TV. He could play any bebop, jazz or smooth jazz style and ultimately created his own style. Great video and great lesson Rick!
@ Being a teenager in the 80’s I was hard rock and punk fan. My mother, God rest her soul, was a huge Al Jarreau fan and I took her to see him every time he came into town. I believe it was his last tour, a double bill with George Benson. I indeed was fortunate and have very fond memories of each show.
lets not forget to mention he's also singing those notes in that great voice .. I always knew he was a monster player but when I first heard him sing I was blown away
I wonder if the reason some young players lack this is because most current music is quantized. Feel is all about how a person plays, but locking everything to a grid ruins that. If that's the only kind of music you hear, you might start playing like that and never really develop your own feel.
I'm astounded how well integrated your scene is, Maestro Beato. Right from Maestro Benson to the lesson that is so pleasurable, easy to understand and feel. I anticipate future guitarists, your students, achieving greatness because of the greatness of their teacher. Thank you Rick.☮
Rick, so glad you still find music you're excited about! I worry that your knowledge can effect your ability to enjoy things. Hope you get serious about recording, I think you seriously underestimate how many people would greatly enjoy that. Godspeed.
George Benson is one of a handful that crossed the jazzy, funk, r&b side of radio air play to getting a lot of airplay on Rock stations because of his kick but vocal/guitar phrasing in his live version of Broadway!!! So good❤️😎
I have no knowledge or experience of playing the guitar but Rick is so good to listen too. It’s all fascinating stuff. Also, I have just watched his 45 minute talk with Matteo Mancuso. Utterly absorbing and Matteo is other worldly. I have loved listening to all genres of electric guitar since the late 70’s which is why the mechanics of playing this instrument is so interesting.
I don’t play any instruments, but love music ! 1st concert Jethro Tull Aqualung tour , San Diego Sports Arena 1971 . I was 15 yrs old at the time. Rick , I enjoy your passion for music, and your interviews are outstanding. Thanks so much !
I am 68, nearly 69 and heard George Benson when I was about 16, our teen group would meet up twice a month on a weekend to share our new music (vinyl) purchases. There were about 6 to 10 of us sitting in someone’s bedroom or a garage in a circle on cushions listening and discussing and more importantly learning about each other’s musical tastes. I was the guitarist type and would often have maybe Tal Farlow, George Benson, Django Reinhard or John McLaughlin - talking about how Django saved Tony Iommi’s career when he chopped his great hand finger tips off and then heard Django playing Nuages and giving Tony renewed hope and focus to move forward. Your video of Benson was great the man had a certain touch, like BB King or even Les Paul. Something I have learned over time is listening to these players across all genres fed into new players. Clapton was God, Peter Green was Jesus and Rory Gallagher was just himself - Total Guitar 250 list is a joke because it was written by someone who is too young to understand what the source material means and were it came from. CDs for me saved my lifetime soundtrack as it reintroduced rare vinyl that the industry had deleted from their catalogs and allowed me, older and wealthier to invest in hard to find rarities. So many great albums and artists are being forgotten or lost to shows like The Voice or AGT where they have a winner who signs a record deal but they don’t have their own feel or touch or sound and their longevity is extremely limited. I loved Benson playing his Jazz, and like later stuff as well but I felt he was trying to hard to be everything to everyone and he was reasonably successful in his endeavour. Simplicity is just a display of someone who has worked damned hard to hone his skill and craft with his own style and creativity. He makes it look easy but it is not easy - bit like trying to play like Jeff Beck or Rory Gallagher when it looks easy to you then you can be sure that you have missed something and you don’t really understand what you need to be hearing. As usual great content again.
Wondering when you were going to showcase my all time number one guitar hero George Benson, been playing his GB-10 since 1978! He's still killin' it! Guy launched a million jazz guitarists in the mid 70s. That's my hero...
@@outermarker5801 Thank you! Missed it, watching it now, what a great story. That man deserves every gift God can give him and is a GREAT role model for young guitar players.
Rick. Did u ever consider having a quick jam with the people u interview? Would be cool to see u collaborate musically as well as an interview. Keep going much appreciation to u and your family.
You mentioned the "Gilmour Effect" a million times and here it is. Why do people prefer Gilmour's playing? THIS. Exactly this. It's as much about the notes he _doesn't_ play as the ones he does, and where he puts the notes he plays. It just feels good.
What George did there, and as David Gilmore does (Wish You Were Here), was sing the notes they’re playing. This method has always helped me learn new material and fix most timing mistakes when I can’t find the groove.
@@OriginalOldSkoolFunk What!? I'm 30, a complete loser living with my parents, but you should absolutely be singing along with your playing in your head at least while improvising
@kwyatt261 Lighten up, Bro. Living with the folks in this day and age does y not make you a loser. I can definitely sing along in my head, but singing out loud while playing...fugitaboutit!
I can't memorize a tune without the notes (la do, I can't imagine how you do that with letters). Good improvisers hear what they are going to play. I suck at it on kds but I'm just a drummer.
Smooth jazz and (modern) bluegrass are both played ahead of the beat -- that's why they're so exciting. And George was one of the originators of smooth jazz. *Of course* they can be taught -- once we understand which beats are ahead and which are on time. And an audio editor will tell you that. It would be great if you made a video about microtiming -- I don't think anyone's done it yet !
I have been playing 40 plus years. I still suck, but love playing guitar. I watch you because you have musical epiphanies that I cannot ever have - and THANK YOU for those epiphanies, It makes me love the language of music I yearn to understand ever so meaningful when you break it down -= George Benson is a Beethoven or a Mozart, BTW. Some folks are just that musically perfect. God Bless those who were gifted with such talent and passion.
I've seen George more times than any jazz musician. Have a photo with George when I got a backstage pass included with the ticket scalper I used to get my tickets from back in the day in Houston! I came from a rock/pop and classical piano upbringing since mom was a piano teacher, but when I heard George play when I was self learning guitar, no pedals, no effects, just straight clear sweet guitar tone, he WON OUT against all other players in my book... Just his rich melodic and rhythmic vocabulary hit me harder than anyone else when Breezin' came out and so I started chasing that, learning those songs by ear... good memories.
Your enthusiasm is contagious! Ooooooo! Back in the day, George Benson was HUGE! Love him! 🥰 Sometimes, it’s as though he isn’t playing and singing, he channels the music. You can see it oozing out of him! 😉Incredible!
Took a few Metalhead friends to see George in the late 80s in Prov RI. Jaws were dropped, fans were made. They were high fiving half the night it was insane. George was smoking that night too.
I love this channel. Lost some passion after weird life circumstances ended schooling for audio production. Been ten years, getting back into it- watching this channel evokes that excitement and motivation again. Feels awesome. Benson is nuts!!!!!! And dang, Beato, that Ibanez is beautiful.
Fantastic video Rick. Feel is like the magic backbone of music, human music. The flow, the rhythm and energy and those wonderful spaces or gaps which let you see through to the supporting structures like the other band members, and instruments in the background. George is just warming up then is a smoking fire in no time. I love the way any master musician like GB solos so elegantly, but it conveys the motion of graceful stumbling, as if they are tripping down a path or set of stairs and climbing back up again, so beautiful. ❤
I've always loved George's sound and feel. First noticed it as a kid with his record, "On Broadway". Didn't care too much about his hit records, but they are a part of my childhood so they're not that bad. But this solo blows them all out of the water.
Kenny Werner used to do a thing in his clinics where he would play the identical licks (one time through in a 12 bar blues) in all twelve keys over ONE key - MFer swung so hard it sounded great every time through 🤘💥
was born a drummer, literally...grew up playing in church, was four years old playing with the adult band and holding my own....say all this to say, now that im playing guitar, my feel is always what im complimented on the most
Same here. Started drums in 5th grade in the late 60s with the 'all city music program' in school, in the meantime taught myself guitar by listening to the usual suspects, Santana, Hendrix, Beck, Clapton...and some local guys who showed me stuff, been playing ever since. I get compliments on my timing more than anything, I chalk it up to my drum training.
@@fattone166 absolutely. i owe a lot to my experience playing in church. developed pro level time and feel subconsciously. not knowing at the time the skills i was developing.
Going in the other direction… Been playing guitar, my whole life, but started playing drums about four years ago… Just for fun and also to work on my sense of rhythm. There’s just something magical about drumming… it’s so much in the body, and in the moment. Rhythm is King.
Shannon Forrest (Toto's drummer) said in a interview that he had nothing to do : these guys all have a perfect timing. The sound depends on it. I'm currently working en las canciones de Havana D'Primera (Música Cubana of course), the precision and groove of these musicians are astonishing. Tough music, and the drum intros are sometimes everything but clear!
There’s never the greatest of anything in music, no greatest drummer, guitar, bass etc. It’s when you get a great musician to move like this: 1:20 you know. That how things a measured how good you are 😂
Pocket, feel. Pat Metheny talked about this in a lesson that was recorded decades ago. His attention to where he plays each note is key to feel and totally under his control.
Agreed. I always have a good feel in the pocket. Those who know, know and just give you a nod like 'yeah'. Those who don't, haven't a clue - which suits me fine.
I have met George, I have seen him live 7 times, For me, he is the greatest guitarist of ALL time, then you remember he is an excellent vocalist and its mind blown. By the way, one of the nicest people I have ever met.
The feel comes a lot from singing the notes. Many guitarists - especially the shredders - don’t sing the notes they are playing. David Gilmour’s advice to your son Dylan was priceless.
My thoughts exactly! Although of a different style, Jimi used to 'scat' with his guitar incredibly well. Chick Corea used to say 'only play what you hear'.
George grew up in the R&B soulful church environment which is where you learn and get that stuff in your blood. All of the players who came up in that blues, soul old school R&B has that and makes them hipper than anybody else
in the pocket, phrasing, feel, melody ... one of my all time favourite solos is Gary Moore's Empty Rooms (extended) Stockholm 1987. Can't Stop Watching this. The Loner (same concert) is also out of this world. Sorry to be a bit off topic - but the title 'Can't stop' immediately triggered the association to Gary's incredible solos
If the vibrant spirit of George Benson could hover over most of today's artists and fall like a mist until their souls were transformed by that wondrous skill and precision, how wonderful this world would be.
What metal shredders could learn from George; build intensity by dropping those hot licks into a groove. He also knows when to stop, accent or bend to build that tension. I remember hearing Nuno say something akin to become a great guitar player, learn (or listen intently) to drums. Something like that. It's that air in between that give you the room to blow.
When I was a kid my dad had some good music..i heard this George Benson song playing one day and I fell in love with: Breezin'..I remember asking my dad who is this? And next week I dubbed myself a copy of the album on a cassette (Maxell UDXL II ftw ;-) always loved his playing and feel. And your interview with him was fantastic.
WOW Rick!!! Wonderful playing by Benson AND you Rick! You never cease to amaze me! I don’t know if you know Ron Eschete (pronounced “Esch -tay”) He’s an amazing 7-string jazz guitarist based on the west coast. He’s (unfortunately) another WAY UNDERRATED genius player that I wish you would interview. There is a great RUclips video of he and George Benson playing together on a gig with Joey Defrancisco. Another great example of the importance of playing in the pocket and time feel by both guitarists. Check it out - and please interview Ronnie. I know you’ll dig him!
I was one of Ron's students at GIT and then in private after I'd graduated. Yes, the gig you're talkig about with George was at Steamers in Fullerton, CA. It was absolutely smokin' hot. Ron is nothing short of a living legend and it's a crime that more people don't know about him!
There are many younger players that are technically proficient but seem to lack “feeling”. There is one young finger stylist I’m thinking of in particular. I won’t mention names or genders. They are to the point absolutely astounding but I don’t feel anything when they play. The complete opposite of this is Kent Nishimura. His renditions of any cover can bring such feelings in certain cases more than the originals.
Thank you, Rick, for sharing your joy of music with us so that we can celebrate together. As a guitar player, I especially appreciate these breakdowns. I'll be jamming with this video tonight.
What has always impressed me about George Benson, from my first listen of the Breezin' album onward, is how he can sing his solos while he plays them. Most musicians would do well to improvise his solos on an instrument or with their voice. The way he can do both simultaneously seems superhuman. Just amazing.
I was a 14 year old kid in the early 80's who was learning to play guitar and I idolized all the popular early 80's metal players. And One day I walked in the house and my step-dad was playing George Benson On Broadway. I was blown away with his style and technique and "feel". Completely blown away. I listened to it over and over again and drove my family crazy with it. I couldn't get enough. Absolutely loved it, and still do.
Yes, insanely great! About "pocket": I watched Tim Pierce and Rhett Shull today talking about things that set pro guitarist ahead of semi pro's or hobbyists. And Tim quoted another studio guitarist having said that when he set out to do studio work he needed to become like a drummer in essence and on the guitar. I take that as paraphrasing something to the effect of pocket. And yes, those triplets: Not only are they in the pocket with the entire phrase, but each of them also perfectly "spaced" over the sub divisions of the beat. 😮 Amazing, indeed!
I first heard Benson's "Breezin" album when I was 20. I was blown away by his playing and his singing. In fact, this album turned me onto jazz music, which I had never cared for before. Been a jazz afficionado ever since, particularly jazz guitar. I have everything Benson has ever recorded, and I can spend an entire day listening to him non-stop. True genius, and a very humble man. He brings joy into our lives.
Jeff Beck did most of his playing off of feel. His phrasing, the different ways he would pick a note, the volume and tone of each note, the bending of a note with either his finger on the fretboard or with the whammy bar, etc. Jeff was absolutely in control of the feel for every note he ever played. I grew up listening to George Benson because he was from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and a awesome guitarist. I grew up listening to Jeff Beck because the path he followed with his guitar playing was from another universe! I am really surprised you never have spoken about the Jeff Beck Effect; maybe because it is unattainable by any other guitarist?
@@raceandrodeo There is no doubt about that. Jeff always said he wanted to play where chaos and beauty intersect. JB certainly succeeded! He was the genius guitar wizard.👍✌️🤙
That he scats along with some of his solos must play into the nuts and bolts of his playing. He has to breathe. So he can't just blow over the changes. And having sung the verses, he may have a different connection, psychologically, the song as a whole. He still telling the story, not just wailing.
Hey Rick! Sat my 19 year old down and I watched him just melt into being a GB fan. On his bedroom walls he’s got his fav guitarists: Beck. SRV. Jimi. BB. Eric Johnson
Gotta find a George Benson poster for him for Xmas now. Funny, he prefers posters where the guitarist is smoking a cigarette…and he doesn’t smoke. Kids these days lol
You gave me quality time with my kid man…thanks
There’s a great black & white photo of GB smoking taken by the legendary Francis Wolff during the sessions for Lou Donaldson’s “Alligator Boogaloo” album. Rare because he’s long since stopped smoking, this was when he was in his 20s. It’s not hard to find with an image search. I’d link to it, but it won’t seem to let me.
Nice! I found George Benson when I was 20 and couldn't listen to anything else for a year haha
Show him the video of George playing 'Take Five,' live, with Sadao Watanabi on sax. (Spelling?)
Has he heard Chris Whitley?
@@JeffMTX not on his radar ATM…suggestions?
Not only does he play such complicated riffs smooth it seems like he's even smoother when he sings the notes too, just incredible!
He is playing what he is singing which is the distinction a lot of people miss. Many people tell me he sings what he plays and I have to explain it is the opposite. Improvisation is pretty much exactly that, playing what he hears and sometimes he sings it as he plays it😊
thats how it goes regularly. A musician goes the more easy (and better) way, to memorise first, and as soon you hvae that sound in mind, your hands/fingers follows. I am deep in Indian classics. Three the oral memorizing (singing) is essential part of the music education and practise of even the biggest maestros.
You know it's kind of crazy how good of a guitar player Rick is. He doesn't draw attention to it. But that dude can play.
I need to live a couple lives concurrently so I have a shot at pouring all that skill and knowledge into my own head. Some people are close to being genius level and they just don't know it....or maybe they do.
A lot of musicians are only focused on one genre. Then there are those certain special individuals who can adapt to any style of music. Rick is part of the latter.
His refusal to call himself a guitarist literally ruined me on the instrument for awhile, though. If someone that good refuses to call himself a guitarist, what does that make me? A step above Guitar Hero, on my best day. That's what.
Rick is a virtuoso.
It's nuts how much he knows!
I've watched several long videos on jazz guitar improvisation and learned almost nothing. You come with a 6-minute video and teach me more than all those videos combined. Thank you, Rick!
Frankly, you tell me, but I really don’t know how you’d go about trying to actually teach that. And I’m not even talking about the genius of something like the timing & feel of George Benson, which is obviously God-given….
Exactly what I was thinking you said it very well
@lplucasarts Question for you - & any other guitar players: my son-in-law plays guitar in a blues/rock bank, but he only plays by ear. Do you know, would he be able to benefit from Rick's new music theory course for songwriters, or would you need to be able to read music to learn from the course? I was thinking of buying it for him as a Christmas present.
@@DeeEllEff, which is essentially exactly what Rick says at the beginning of the video. Can't be taught, but can be developed. Or, yes, God-given.
@@ericlineback6848 Yessiree.
I’m following George Benson since I was 16 now I’m 61. I’ve seen him eight or 10 times in Europe and in my hometown Cologne Germany His music has a big influence for my life and taste of music beside Earth, Wind & Fire
@gerdcorona7046 We must be brothers from a different mother !
@@Robert-z9x You are not the only ones ...
Mr. Benson has the technique to be sure, but I'm afraid that he totally ruined "Take Five" by playing it in a "funky", stiff, eighth-note rhythm. Just my personal opinion. No one has to be angry with me because of it. I appreciate Mr. Benson as much as anyone and we are both from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by the way.
@@karlruffing4237 yes indeed it’s another interpretation but I love the funky style
He's doing just what Skunk Baxter was talking about in your interview with him, learn to "sing" with the guitar and it becomes your voice. So cool to see it in application.
I thought of George Benson when he said that
I thought of Gilmour, who does the same.
Said the same thing,2 hours after you did!
Yes! Play guitar with sax phrasing
That's the first thing I noticed 🙂 pretty cool
Yeah, well he’s George Benson….
Real
I'm too young to be George Benson
Your comment pretty much sums up anything thatI was going to type in response to the foolishly worded title giving to this video.
Yeah, I’m glad the video said “MOST young people” because imo like George Benson had a nice feel on even his earlier records before he started to sing more, he just got more and more refined as time went on.
Not to be confused with Richard Benson 😂
My neighbors took me to see George Benson in 1980 at the Circle Star. My first concert. I wasn’t even into him. I wanted to see rock concerts. But that concert ruined many subsequent concerts by other artists, because the show was amazing and I’ll never forget how happy people were dancing in the aisles and how good he was. Thank you GB.
I saw George Benson circa 1994 in Wellington, New Zealand. It is still the best concert that I've been to. He is a class act in every respect.
About that time I saw mr Benson in Athens Greece, but I saw also his soundcheck and that blew me away
It’s rough growing up as a Bay Area music fan after the time of the Circle Star lol.
A true master of his instrument!
I just purchased one of George's guitars from his personal collection, Ibanez GB10EM-AA 5B-02 Owned by George Benson. Always been a huge fan. I recorded a few songs in his recording studio in Lahaina Maui back in the early 90s, to shop in Los Angeles for a recording deal. I love watching Benson's concerts on YT.
Rick I always love your enthusiasm in every video.
I worked for a production company back in the early 2000s and we did a show at Red Bank, NJ for George Benson. It was unbelievable! His singing and playing were out of this world. I was so inspired I wrote an instrumental song the next morning on Father's Day. My daughter gave me a hand-drawn picture of a sunset that she labeled "Sunset Picture" for Father's Day. (She was about 10 at the time.) I titled the song "Sunset Picture". One of my favorite life memories tied to music and fatherhood.
What a beautiful story!
Would that be the Count Basie theater?
I would like to hear the tune!
Very beautiful 🧡
@@axistiltproductions thank you!
SImply one of the most technically gifted and musically versatile guitarists, his fluid, melodic phrasing and masterful improvisational skills can't be beat. Salute & Peace
Subscribing to both Beato channels has been such a musical education & awakening for me, as a guitar player & as a music fan in general!
Both?
George Benson is my #1 favorite guitarist. In the late 70's I bought every single album that he produced and listened to them 24/7. I remember his Charlie Christian tribute sessions with Benny Goodman on public TV. He could play any bebop, jazz or smooth jazz style and ultimately created his own style. Great video and great lesson Rick!
People sleeping on GB just don’t know how amazing he is. Humble and deep deep knowledge of music and feel. A legend.
Not sure his knowledge of music is that deep in general, but wen it comes to blues, and jazz, bluesy jazz or jazzy blues it sure is.😁
Back in the day people knew of his talent for sure.
GB has been my hero for decades. In a different genre, Redd Volkaert is another under appreciated player.
GB does not come across as humble... but then again, why would he be? GB is a legend.
Had the pleasure of seeing George Benson with Al Jarreau… both were AMAZING live.
You’re Fortunate! 👏👏👏
@ Being a teenager in the 80’s I was hard rock and punk fan. My mother, God rest her soul, was a huge Al Jarreau fan and I took her to see him every time he came into town. I believe it was his last tour, a double bill with George Benson. I indeed was fortunate and have very fond memories of each show.
Woooow unbelivable😎 🙏🙏❤️
lets not forget to mention he's also singing those notes in that great voice .. I always knew he was a monster player but when I first heard him sing I was blown away
Incredibile talent!
😆he ruins his soloos with that "scatting" 😁
🎯
@@FlyingV344maybe you should try it and see what you can glean. An open mind is a powerful force.
I say this with all sincerity, I love you Rick. Your passion for music is infectious and your videos are an absolute joy to watch. Thank you. 🙏
True
I agree completely!
I wonder if the reason some young players lack this is because most current music is quantized. Feel is all about how a person plays, but locking everything to a grid ruins that. If that's the only kind of music you hear, you might start playing like that and never really develop your own feel.
Spot on 👍🏾
You could be on to something!
Well said.
It's because they all repeat the same SRV licks seeing who can rip through a pentatonic scale the fastest.
Rick has talked about this before, especially in his Bonham vids, where he puts Zeppelin tracks in a DAW and quantizes them, making them suck.
Those triples - I keep re-listening and my ears still can’t believe it.
I'm astounded how well integrated your scene is, Maestro Beato. Right from Maestro Benson to the lesson
that is so pleasurable, easy to understand and feel. I anticipate future guitarists, your students, achieving
greatness because of the greatness of their teacher. Thank you Rick.☮
Rick, so glad you still find music you're excited about! I worry that your knowledge can effect your ability to enjoy things. Hope you get serious about recording, I think you seriously underestimate how many people would greatly enjoy that. Godspeed.
George Benson is one of a handful that crossed the jazzy, funk, r&b side of radio air play to getting a lot of airplay on Rock stations because of his kick but vocal/guitar phrasing in his live version of Broadway!!! So good❤️😎
Yep, George Benson plays George Benson.
Rick, listening to you describe the mechanics and the nuances and watching you articulate so easily it’s like listening to music itself
I have no knowledge or experience of playing the guitar but Rick is so good to listen too. It’s all fascinating stuff. Also, I have just watched his 45 minute talk with Matteo Mancuso. Utterly absorbing and Matteo is other worldly. I have loved listening to all genres of electric guitar since the late 70’s which is why the mechanics of playing this instrument is so interesting.
I don’t play any instruments, but love music ! 1st concert Jethro Tull Aqualung tour , San Diego Sports Arena 1971 . I was 15 yrs old at the time. Rick , I enjoy your passion for music, and your interviews are outstanding. Thanks so much !
I love locomotive breath :)
I am 68, nearly 69 and heard George Benson when I was about 16, our teen group would meet up twice a month on a weekend to share our new music (vinyl) purchases. There were about 6 to 10 of us sitting in someone’s bedroom or a garage in a circle on cushions listening and discussing and more importantly learning about each other’s musical tastes. I was the guitarist type and would often have maybe Tal Farlow, George Benson, Django Reinhard or John McLaughlin - talking about how Django saved Tony Iommi’s career when he chopped his great hand finger tips off and then heard Django playing Nuages and giving Tony renewed hope and focus to move forward. Your video of Benson was great the man had a certain touch, like BB King or even Les Paul. Something I have learned over time is listening to these players across all genres fed into new players. Clapton was God, Peter Green was Jesus and Rory Gallagher was just himself - Total Guitar 250 list is a joke because it was written by someone who is too young to understand what the source material means and were it came from. CDs for me saved my lifetime soundtrack as it reintroduced rare vinyl that the industry had deleted from their catalogs and allowed me, older and wealthier to invest in hard to find rarities. So many great albums and artists are being forgotten or lost to shows like The Voice or AGT where they have a winner who signs a record deal but they don’t have their own feel or touch or sound and their longevity is extremely limited. I loved Benson playing his Jazz, and like later stuff as well but I felt he was trying to hard to be everything to everyone and he was reasonably successful in his endeavour. Simplicity is just a display of someone who has worked damned hard to hone his skill and craft with his own style and creativity. He makes it look easy but it is not easy - bit like trying to play like Jeff Beck or Rory Gallagher when it looks easy to you then you can be sure that you have missed something and you don’t really understand what you need to be hearing. As usual great content again.
Fantastic. As Skunk said in your interview, if you can sing it, you can learn to play it. 👍
I thought that was a fantastic point as well!
And nobody does it better. GB has been teaching himself to 'sing' the guitar his whole life.
Wondering when you were going to showcase my all time number one guitar hero George Benson, been playing his GB-10 since 1978! He's still killin' it! Guy launched a million jazz guitarists in the mid 70s. That's my hero...
He did a full interview
Have you seen the interview? Rick featured him several months ago.
@@outermarker5801 Thank you! Missed it, watching it now, what a great story. That man deserves every gift God can give him and is a GREAT role model for young guitar players.
@@GoDrex Thank you, watching it now. BIG strong hands, made for HEAVY gauge strings!
Finally, someone mentioning "feel' and "pocket". I've always tried to be a student of those things ever since I started playing in 1968. Thanks Rick!
Insane is a great description! Two jazz chords, so much going on!
And Rick got his skills going on! 🙏🏻
How have I been playing for twenty years and never really heard George Benson before. Absolutely gorgeous playing.
🤯👍🍻
Rick. Did u ever consider having a quick jam with the people u interview? Would be cool to see u collaborate musically as well as an interview. Keep going much appreciation to u and your family.
George deserves far more attention than he gets. Man could lay down a groove like few others.
You mentioned the "Gilmour Effect" a million times and here it is. Why do people prefer Gilmour's playing? THIS. Exactly this. It's as much about the notes he _doesn't_ play as the ones he does, and where he puts the notes he plays. It just feels good.
George really is a force of nature and how he scats note perfect to what he's playing is genius!
What George did there, and as David Gilmore does (Wish You Were Here), was sing the notes they’re playing. This method has always helped me learn new material and fix most timing mistakes when I can’t find the groove.
@jayluck8047 It's called scatting. I've never been able to do it, though.
@@OriginalOldSkoolFunk What!? I'm 30, a complete loser living with my parents, but you should absolutely be singing along with your playing in your head at least while improvising
* Gilmour *
@kwyatt261 Lighten up, Bro. Living with the folks in this day and age does y
not make you a loser.
I can definitely sing along in my head, but singing out loud while playing...fugitaboutit!
I can't memorize a tune without the notes (la do, I can't imagine how you do that with letters).
Good improvisers hear what they are going to play. I suck at it on kds but I'm just a drummer.
Smooth jazz and (modern) bluegrass are both played ahead of the beat -- that's why they're so exciting. And George was one of the originators of smooth jazz. *Of course* they can be taught -- once we understand which beats are ahead and which are on time. And an audio editor will tell you that. It would be great if you made a video about microtiming -- I don't think anyone's done it yet !
I have been playing 40 plus years. I still suck, but love playing guitar. I watch you because you have musical epiphanies that I cannot ever have - and THANK YOU for those epiphanies, It makes me love the language of music I yearn to understand ever so meaningful when you break it down -= George Benson is a Beethoven or a Mozart, BTW. Some folks are just that musically perfect. God Bless those who were gifted with such talent and passion.
The way you explain a solo part and how it was done, it's something that push me not to give up and keep learning new stuff. Thank you Rick
I've seen George more times than any jazz musician. Have a photo with George when I got a backstage pass included with the ticket scalper I used to get my tickets from back in the day in Houston! I came from a rock/pop and classical piano upbringing since mom was a piano teacher, but when I heard George play when I was self learning guitar, no pedals, no effects, just straight clear sweet guitar tone, he WON OUT against all other players in my book... Just his rich melodic and rhythmic vocabulary hit me harder than anyone else when Breezin' came out and so I started chasing that, learning those songs by ear... good memories.
I love how you react to the small things. That’s what great music played to great ears does, it affect the whole being
Your enthusiasm is contagious! Ooooooo! Back in the day, George Benson was HUGE! Love him! 🥰 Sometimes, it’s as though he isn’t playing and singing, he channels the music. You can see it oozing out of him! 😉Incredible!
Took a few Metalhead friends to see George in the late 80s in Prov RI. Jaws were dropped, fans were made. They were high fiving half the night it was insane. George was smoking that night too.
What was George smoking?
I love this channel. Lost some passion after weird life circumstances ended schooling for audio production. Been ten years, getting back into it- watching this channel evokes that excitement and motivation again. Feels awesome. Benson is nuts!!!!!! And dang, Beato, that Ibanez is beautiful.
Fantastic video Rick. Feel is like the magic backbone of music, human music. The flow, the rhythm and energy and those wonderful spaces or gaps which let you see through to the supporting structures like the other band members, and instruments in the background. George is just warming up then is a smoking fire in no time. I love the way any master musician like GB solos so elegantly, but it conveys the motion of graceful stumbling, as if they are tripping down a path or set of stairs and climbing back up again, so beautiful. ❤
I've always loved George's sound and feel. First noticed it as a kid with his record, "On Broadway". Didn't care too much about his hit records, but they are a part of my childhood so they're not that bad. But this solo blows them all out of the water.
This is one of my fave live performances
Playing in time and groove might actually be more important than nailing exact notes. I think people really respond more to rhythm.
You can play any sequence of notes, but as long as the rhythmic feel is good, it will sound musical.
Awesome comment! With ya 100z
Kenny Werner used to do a thing in his clinics where he would play the identical licks (one time through in a 12 bar blues) in all twelve keys over ONE key - MFer swung so hard it sounded great every time through 🤘💥
Timing is everything. Without it nothing has context.
Chuck Rainy said rhythm is more important than the notes all being 'right".....
I love that Rick is playing air guitar while holding a guitar.
He doesn't want to step on Benson - can't blame him!
lol 😁
was born a drummer, literally...grew up playing in church, was four years old playing with the adult band and holding my own....say all this to say, now that im playing guitar, my feel is always what im complimented on the most
Same here. Started drums in 5th grade in the late 60s with the 'all city music program' in school, in the meantime taught myself guitar by listening to the usual suspects, Santana, Hendrix, Beck, Clapton...and some local guys who showed me stuff, been playing ever since. I get compliments on my timing more than anything, I chalk it up to my drum training.
@@fattone166 absolutely. i owe a lot to my experience playing in church. developed pro level time and feel subconsciously. not knowing at the time the skills i was developing.
Going in the other direction… Been playing guitar, my whole life, but started playing drums about four years ago… Just for fun and also to work on my sense of rhythm. There’s just something magical about drumming… it’s so much in the body, and in the moment. Rhythm is King.
Shannon Forrest (Toto's drummer) said in a interview that he had nothing to do : these guys all have a perfect timing. The sound depends on it. I'm currently working en las canciones de Havana D'Primera (Música Cubana of course), the precision and groove of these musicians are astonishing. Tough music, and the drum intros are sometimes everything but clear!
There’s never the greatest of anything in music, no greatest drummer, guitar, bass etc. It’s when you get a great musician to move like this: 1:20 you know. That how things a measured how good you are 😂
Pocket, feel.
Pat Metheny talked about this in a lesson that was recorded decades ago. His attention to where he plays each note is key to feel and totally under his control.
Agreed. I always have a good feel in the pocket. Those who know, know and just give you a nod like 'yeah'. Those who don't, haven't a clue - which suits me fine.
Pat said the first thing he wants to hear you play is quarter notes........
@ Right. I bet that lesson was taken off of RUclips long ago. I think I have a recording of it.
When I was a kid, Benson used to blow my mind.
Somethings never change🇨🇦
I have met George, I have seen him live 7 times, For me, he is the greatest guitarist of ALL time, then you remember he is an excellent vocalist and its mind blown. By the way, one of the nicest people I have ever met.
One of my absolute favorite guitarists and musicians of all time, never a burning listen with him.
Freak'n phenomenal!!!
It's so good it almost hurts
Love it!
Saw Benson in Philly in '77. Memorable!
Nothing better than watching Rick's facial expressions when he's listening to music he appreciates! 😃
He stole some of those straight off my own face. (We share a birthday several years apart.) But I do agree with you on that.
This is one of the best channels of any kind of media. Amazing interviews with legends that are informative, entertaining and full of love.
I saw GB back in the late seventies shortly after his release of "On Broadway". he is an amazing guitarist and has only gotten better over the years.
Man your reactions and the genuine joy you get from music is awesome!
The feel comes a lot from singing the notes. Many guitarists - especially the shredders - don’t sing the notes they are playing. David Gilmour’s advice to your son Dylan was priceless.
My thoughts exactly! Although of a different style, Jimi used to 'scat' with his guitar incredibly well. Chick Corea used to say 'only play what you hear'.
Vocals so great his badass guitar work goes unmentioned, SMOKIN !!!! Clean AND smooth.
Reminds me of Sir Gilmour singing wish you were here, singing along with the phrases. That’s soul baby!
Your love of music is infectious. Great show as always.
George grew up in the R&B soulful church environment which is where you learn and get that stuff in your blood. All of the players who came up in that blues, soul old school R&B has that and makes them hipper than anybody else
in the pocket, phrasing, feel, melody ... one of my all time favourite solos is Gary Moore's Empty Rooms (extended) Stockholm 1987. Can't Stop Watching this. The Loner (same concert) is also out of this world. Sorry to be a bit off topic - but the title 'Can't stop' immediately triggered the association to Gary's incredible solos
Ah! George Benson! I had the privilege of working on the Riverboat President during Jazz Fast in 1988. What a talent! George has, as I call it, "It"!😊
God Bless you maam👌
If the vibrant spirit of George Benson could hover over most of today's artists and fall like a mist until their souls were transformed by that wondrous skill and precision, how wonderful this world would be.
Very nicely worded.
What metal shredders could learn from George; build intensity by dropping those hot licks into a groove. He also knows when to stop, accent or bend to build that tension. I remember hearing Nuno say something akin to become a great guitar player, learn (or listen intently) to drums. Something like that. It's that air in between that give you the room to blow.
🤦
Beautiful Ibanez Rick!
Well it's Benson. This is what he does. All solo's. He's amazing.
When I was a kid my dad had some good music..i heard this George Benson song playing one day and I fell in love with: Breezin'..I remember asking my dad who is this? And next week I dubbed myself a copy of the album on a cassette (Maxell UDXL II ftw ;-) always loved his playing and feel. And your interview with him was fantastic.
I think you get feel from playing with others in a live setting a lot and really listening
That's right. You can't teach someone groove or feel. It has to be developed (or God-given). And that's indeed the best way to develop it, I believe.
WOW Rick!!! Wonderful playing by Benson AND you Rick! You never cease to amaze me! I don’t know if you know Ron Eschete (pronounced “Esch -tay”) He’s an amazing 7-string jazz guitarist based on the west coast. He’s (unfortunately) another WAY UNDERRATED genius player that I wish you would interview. There is a great RUclips video of he and George Benson playing together on a gig with Joey Defrancisco. Another great example of the importance of playing in the pocket and time feel by both guitarists. Check it out - and please interview Ronnie. I know you’ll dig him!
I was one of Ron's students at GIT and then in private after I'd graduated. Yes, the gig you're talkig about with George was at Steamers in Fullerton, CA. It was absolutely smokin' hot. Ron is nothing short of a living legend and it's a crime that more people don't know about him!
He's performing Donny Hathaway's "The Ghetto". Also think of Santana's and/or Tito Puente's "Oye Como Va". Both are in Am progressions.
Also like Samba Pa Ti.i
ur interview with mr. benson is what turned me onto his music, so thank u sir
Hello there, how are you doing
This is why I love music.
Those first couple of solo albums from the 60’s by George are some of my favorites. Smokin!
There are many younger players that are technically proficient but seem to lack “feeling”. There is one young finger stylist I’m thinking of in particular. I won’t mention names or genders. They are to the point absolutely astounding but I don’t feel anything when they play.
The complete opposite of this is Kent Nishimura. His renditions of any cover can bring such feelings in certain cases more than the originals.
Thanks Rick for featuring the great man. This video has pleased me to no end. Cheers!
You say feel and pocket - my mind goes straight to Knopfler on the Alchemy live album
Maybe start a new channel - what makes this song f*****g insanely great - start with the live version of Telegraph Road (Alchemy)
@sainsy907 As soon as I saw your first comment, I wanted to mention Telegraph Road, but you beat me to it! Awesome performance!
@@35milesoflead my cousin lent me a copy of that concert in VHS when I was 12. Was blown away then, still blows me away 40 years later.
That album is absolutely EPIC!
Thank you, Rick, for sharing your joy of music with us so that we can celebrate together. As a guitar player, I especially appreciate these breakdowns. I'll be jamming with this video tonight.
"Take Five" live at Montreux. Check it out if you haven't seen it before.
What has always impressed me about George Benson, from my first listen of the Breezin' album onward, is how he can sing his solos while he plays them. Most musicians would do well to improvise his solos on an instrument or with their voice. The way he can do both simultaneously seems superhuman. Just amazing.
LOVE the vids rick keep it up :)
Enjoyed a GB performance at the Hollywood Bowl in the 1990's. Such a great performer and deep repertoire!
Love it! More jazz please.
I’d love to see a Rick Beato 3 channel just for jazz. Love your regular stuff, but jazz deserves it’s own focus.
Love it!! Once more, you‘ve got the juice!! Tks for sharing it!
I was a 14 year old kid in the early 80's who was learning to play guitar and I idolized all the popular early 80's metal players. And One day I walked in the house and my step-dad was playing George Benson On Broadway. I was blown away with his style and technique and "feel". Completely blown away. I listened to it over and over again and drove my family crazy with it. I couldn't get enough. Absolutely loved it, and still do.
Now try George Benson's "OFF Broadway"!
@@RideAcrossTheRiver 👍👏👍
@@yulbrenner5526 Gah-roo-vay
Yes, insanely great! About "pocket": I watched Tim Pierce and Rhett Shull today talking about things that set pro guitarist ahead of semi pro's or hobbyists. And Tim quoted another studio guitarist having said that when he set out to do studio work he needed to become like a drummer in essence and on the guitar. I take that as paraphrasing something to the effect of pocket.
And yes, those triplets: Not only are they in the pocket with the entire phrase, but each of them also perfectly "spaced" over the sub divisions of the beat. 😮 Amazing, indeed!
You are to music what Alton Brown is to food. This tastes good, here's the science behind it. This sounds good, here's the theory behind it.
He's more Kenji than Alton thank goodness
George is a fabulous vocalist as well ....top of the food chain
Very inspiring!
I first heard Benson's "Breezin" album when I was 20. I was blown away by his playing and his singing. In fact, this album turned me onto jazz music, which I had never cared for before. Been a jazz afficionado ever since, particularly jazz guitar. I have everything Benson has ever recorded, and I can spend an entire day listening to him non-stop. True genius, and a very humble man. He brings joy into our lives.
Not so much this but Elvin Bishop playing on "Fooled Around and Fell in Love." Don't know why but Jazz reminds me of the dentist office. 🤔🤣
That's being in the groove. George just has it so naturally. You can't teach that stuff
Love me some George Benson! I saw him play in Nashville msny years ago and was blown away!
gorge benson playing Take Five is the most impressive guitar playing i’ve ever seen
Jeff Beck did most of his playing off of feel. His phrasing, the different ways he would pick a note, the volume and tone of each note, the bending of a note with either his finger on the fretboard or with the whammy bar, etc. Jeff was absolutely in control of the feel for every note he ever played. I grew up listening to George Benson because he was from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and a awesome guitarist. I grew up listening to Jeff Beck because the path he followed with his guitar playing was from another universe! I am really surprised you never have spoken about the Jeff Beck Effect; maybe because it is unattainable by any other guitarist?
Jeff was a God. Period.
@@raceandrodeo There is no doubt about that. Jeff always said he wanted to play where chaos and beauty intersect. JB certainly succeeded! He was the genius guitar wizard.👍✌️🤙
That he scats along with some of his solos must play into the nuts and bolts of his playing. He has to breathe. So he can't just blow over the changes. And having sung the verses, he may have a different connection, psychologically, the song as a whole. He still telling the story, not just wailing.