George Benson plays the blues over rhythm change

[jazzyosh]

george benson!! 

[CDMI2010]

Sweet!

[Undercurrentuk1]

the BOSS

[Garrotte123]

GB's a genius it looks like there's no strings on his guitar and he still rocks

[FreepowerUG]

Frig me these guys can play. It's great having someone around to make George play a little slower for us mortals though. :D

[a1exandearth]

Man the blues is so complex compared to just basic pentatonic patterns and repetitions, so hard to comprehend.....

[junka22]

two masters of jazz guitar

[Eisenwort]

Benson = the master of all masters

legendary playing even today! :-)

[GtoThaillDog]

this guy IS the music

[ImaniHekima]

Nice one George. :-)

[nch09snow]

Man..he has fingers like prime pork sausages but the boy can play..and how !

[BayFlow408]

the bridge=head explodes

[kssork]

watch out bernie macs got his improv on.

[AraoftheFunk]

george benson always creeped the fuck out of me. He's incredible, don't get me wrong, but something about him is terrifying...

[kssork]

@AraoftheFunk lol wtf.

[AraoftheFunk]

@kssork his face... it's so demonic

[remicellule]

Hi guys, check my channel ^^ !

[megajames3000]

hahah geore looks like the dad from family matters (steve erkel)

[reyes250299]

that is jazz man

[q2w3bn876]

Man....George B just makes it look and sound so easy.

[megalodonnld]

'...see you in the next lesson'

Of course I don't know if that was a joke, but if it wasn't, I guess there's still a misconception of what a lesson should be and what the goal of it is...

[superagnitio]

Those guys... those fucking guys. Seriously, crazy stuff

[cooldork68]

It really does not matter who can play the fastest or the most complex chords/solos. What matters the most is how sweet it sounds to your ears.

[slapbassforthewin]

very nice

[driggs1955]

Crazy finish on George's guitar. No big deal, just different. Doesn't seem to affect his playing.

[maigles]

Bluesy as fuck. Love it!

[guitarclassroom]

This is great Jody...George is a master, and I used to set for hours copying his licks. LOL I did On Broadway almost note for note. Funny, while listening George solo there it reminded me of something Bireli Lagrene would do. Of course, Bireli is copying George, not the other way around. I love his being able to play iwhile singing. Thanks for slowing it down for us!

[joegib]

Who said this guy didn´t play the blues anymore? Yep thanks both Jody and Mr. Benson, elegant and warm as usual...... give us some more please!!

[BluesMuse92]

can someone figure out the chord progression george uses at 1:46

[6672rock]

George lays down some of the tastiest leads I've ever heard! His tone, feel and improvisation skills are second to none!

[BloodSugarSexMagik10]

I hate the interviewer!! 

[janderson2000]

George don't want to talk about what he do he just do's it

[foooman1]

ummmm anyone notice jody fisher??? fucking monster!!!

[EricMLopez]

@foooman1 I had the honor of getting lessons from him. He is one of the most underrated Jazz guitarists out there.

[togelz]

my jaw dropping only by a few bars,....and to be honest that play is just like a routine breakfast for him,..salute,....this is music,...

[pitriplex]

that lick at 2:44... OH MY GOD

[MrPurpleguitar]

Fantastic!

[salokin1982]

the god musician

[Sammybizness]

i want to burn my guitar

[menobass]

man... this man just exudes emotion... he doesnt even have to try

[mrfish4lyfe]

benson is the fuckin man

[GtrDudeL]

nice!

[blueflame2]

Sorry I was wrong it was1969. That would have made him 26 (According to Wikipedia)

[TheSwilliams92]

George Benson, the new generation of charlie christian and wes montgomery

[hareshsolanki555]

George Benson is incredible master of the jazz guitar player .

[bask134]

Love how he says. Thanks for being so up front with us about what your doing. They barely spoke at all.

[sosmooth7]

I'll take George Benson over most rock guitarists on any given day because he plays music that one can actually understand. It really doesn't matter if you can play a 1000 notes a minute on an 8 string guitar if no one can understand the composition of the music (and believe me there's litlle composition there). the like of George Benson and Frank Gambale are MASTERS at what they do,and they make it look easy.The like dof GoergeBenson and Frank Gambale are the ROLLS ROYCE of guitarist!!!

[joshuatreet]

That bald dude ( Jody Fisher I presume) has one dumb-ass looking guitar.

[hutchman3001]

George is an absolute boss.

[ubernaffa]

George is simply a STRAIGHT UP BEAST at playing the guitar. Fucking incredible stuff...

[kafkainspringtime]

I love how the comments section has devolved into another "Hendrix is the best"/"No he isn't" argument. Goddamn fourteen year olds on YouTube...

[271189a]

I TAKE YOUR CHILDISH BLUES LICKS AND ABSORB THEM MAKING MY JAZZ STRONGER...

Wow George benson is the man.

[TheMikem108]

where's the tab :)

[potatoepeter1]

Oh my god at 1:00.. that not worldclass thats worldall class...

[ztone22]

What genius guitarman!

[latino13x3]

is amazing how they start playing and after there done they laugh together. there soul is enjoying the music

[cooldork68]

I am grateful that we have more than one style of guitar playing to enjoy.

[ritardando7632]

Jodie Fisher was amazing guitarist..

[adriangalysh]

Jody Fisher's no slouch either!

[jazzableful]

I think George Benson would sound extremely wonderful just warming up!!!!! His voice was to die for.......his looks were to die for "handsome!" And that is my undying opinion of George Benson even today..............He has it all! AND, I also like Grant Green, in "Idle Moments....long version", so smooth and blissful!! Two of my favorite's, but Benson came on the scene for me first and always will!

[toddallenhooper]

Preach brother, there are many, many great players and I never compare them, I just soak it up and enjoy it!

[lucascorbelli]

great voice too

[richroberge]

Music is not a competitive sport. It is an art form. No doubt George Benson is an incredible master of the guitar. And then there are others who in one or more areas also excel. So let's not argue about who's the best, let's enjoy them all and learn from them.

[taildragger53]

@richroberge

Oh yes, i think what people argue about is down to personal opinion and the old saying is "'opinions are like assholes..everybody has one!"(ha ha). My own personal fave is really Wes Montgomery BUT that's me!

It's all to do with this competitive World we live in.

But whether it's a one chord JL Hooker drone or GB's amazing chromaticism, each guitarist has his own unique signature.

[BirdsAtDaybreak]

@richroberge Yes!

Just like, right here, George talks about his influences, for instance Charlie Christian.

George is also known for heading out to check all the new talent out there in, say, the jazz clubs of New York.

I'm so proud to have shaken your hand George! Thanks for sharing your mastery here with us, especially your championing of those who've influenced and inspired you! No man is an island!

[MarioM45]

@richroberge Totally agree, all of us have different likes and dislikes.If you keep negativity to a minimum, we all prosper...

[Sunderlanding]

@richroberge ...but arguing is fun. If you don't like it...don't take part. It doesn't mean that those of us who do don't appreciate the art.

[whynottalklikeapirat]

@richroberge well okay then ;0(

[lastdaysguitar]

First heard George Benson during the "Breezin" days - one of the greats of that era for sure!

[Jazga]

Benson is a beast...

[xdivinebladex]

His tone is remarkable

[tertulioo]

thats one heck of a magical thumb !! thumb up!

[theeternalidol]

Impressive.... but can he play Smoke on the water?

[MrDemeter69]

@theeternalidol u r an idiot....

[lastdaysguitar]

@MrDemeter69 Lighten up jerk - he was joking. Ever hear of sarcasim?

[MrDemeter69]

@lastdaysguitar your mother is a jerk... bitch...

[lastdaysguitar]

@MrDemeter69 Idiot.

[tinian33]

@theeternalidol Maybe....rumor has it George has been taking lessons from CC DeVille..

[AmundLauritzen]

Benson's the master! Just listen to Bireli Lagrene, and you'll hear so much Benson. He has influenced so many guitar players, and still does to this day.

[Jpkrao]

George Benson, always great.

[NAThan9871]

Wes thumb style !! Great ! Outstanding phrases ! George is truely a great player !

[davec3487]

The head of that guitar broke clean off and he's still playing.

[buttoneer63]

I'm a guitar player and sight my greatest influences as Bill Nelson (be bop deluxe) and Nils Lofgren. I can kind of keep up with the stuff they do in my bedroom if you know what i mean but......George Benson......well the word GENIUS i thik does apply....its beyond me. Truely marvelouse!

[michaeljamsmith]

Fuck Benson, his shit is too damn hard to play.Yeah, what @izzyvulaca said, no goddamn pick. Wants me to hurt my thumb...and my head. I

(I think I will just listen to him)

[izzyvulaca]

all this without a pick......i hate you george

[kristicrosswell]

I love all players that play because they just have to. I bet I would enjoy your playing just as much if you were feeling it!

[DannyDesperate]

He's great 'cause he hears the music in his head first, and then sings it with his voice or sings it with the guitar - it makes no difference. He's not tied to rules or theory any more - he's absorbed all that stuff and so just connects with the guitar directly, His ear is guiding him, not his eyes!!

[emeraldomusik]

@DannyDesperate well said ! western theory is dealing way too much with the notes on the paper. There are some documents of Brahms and Schönberg where you can read that "a piece of music must always be written down " . it is one of the most stupid sentences.

[DannyDesperate]

@emeraldomusik Classical music used to allow room for improv from soloists and ensembles prior to 19th century rule makers shutting the piano lid down on such heresy. Without improv we wouldn't have the Bach keyboard works (including the great organ works), which were largely transciptions of one off performance improvisations (ditto Paganini & Mozart). Even with time to think Shonberg never really came up with too many decent tunes as he had too many pointless rules.

[funkifyyourlife]

@DannyDesperate Schönberg? Didn't come up with many decent tunes? Yeah, you know more than one of the musical geniuses of the 20th century. Whatta maroon...

[DannyDesperate]

@funkifyyourlife Chill, mr elitist man, you are not the only one who studied music.

Shönberg v Benson is so silly that I riffed on it, ya know? As Arnie said in Vienna, his musical aim was to hear the post boy whistling his tunes. When were you last woken with 'air of another planet' (2nd String Quartet) as the mail arrived? I rest my case.

Mebbe you & your clever friends could now discuss whether Sprechgesang is the root of free-form rap? You'd all like that!

[funkifyyourlife]

@emeraldomusik Coming from someone who obviously doesn't understand reading music. Take some music lessons before you expound stupidity.

[emeraldomusik]

@funkifyyourlife

[11jupitercowboy8]

Also, jazz cats always wanna whine about blues and rock cats saying that jazz is more 'complex' and being more complex alone somehow makes one 'superior'. I used to be one of those retards that thought that way, too. It's just about trying to quantify your own personal taste which is fine. But it doesn't really make anybody ACTUALLY better than anyone else - even Joe Shmo off the street that knows but one chord on guitar.

[11jupitercowboy8]

Case in point: Kenny G. That guy is probably more hated on than anybody out there. But you know what? He has a career! He's fucking rich. So you can say he's a hack and smooth jazz is for f*gs or some obnoxious shit like that but guess who has the last laugh? Yup, the G man's jammin on stage for thousands and laughin all the way to the bank while you're wasting your life on youtube whining about who's better than who.

[11jupitercowboy8]

Yeah, this whole 'best' thing in art and music is ridiculous. EVERYBODY who is anybody is best at being them and their personal brand of musical expression was good enough to catch the attention of a sizeable audience. People have so much trouble just accepting that so and so is the 'best' to THEM simply because they love them personally. If someone doesn't move you personally it isn't because they 'suck'. It's because they aren't speaking your language.

[toxicdooney]

Music is not a damn competition get over it. It's subjective, George Benson IN MY OPINION sounds great!

[Fitzliputzli23]

Who ever bothers to waste energy on stupid questions like: "Who's better, Hendrix or Benson?" has not the slightest ghost of an idea what Hendrix' or Benson's music is all about.

[iiviiutt]

George Benson is sick! Unfortunately, jazz is not mainstream so he won't show up in best guitarist list in pop culture. Hendrix is always #1 because he was a genius and revolutionized rock guitar playing but he can't do half the stuff that George Benson does. Can't really compare rock with jazz. You want to compare George with someone, it should be with Wes.

[schimmelpenninq]

@iiviiutt

You are right! Rock guitar is a lot wiggling your fingers pentatonic-style and a lot of image!

[Maafa1619]

@iiviiutt Who gives a fuck what your undoubtedly white ass deems "mainstream." Go fuck yourself twice.

[morgenholz]

@Maafa1619 Wow you sound intelligent. Great vocabulary.

[cooldork68]

I have no doubt that George Benson can play anything that Hendrix could play and likely vice versa.

[gromshit101]

@cooldork68 vice versa? no offense to hendrix but george benson is on a completely different harmonic and melodic level the jimi.

[cooldork68]

@gromshit101 I agree with what you say about George Benson. All we have to go by is the music that Jimi put on record and live performances. Could he have played like Benson or Wes Montgomery? I think yes, but we will never know.

[gromshit101]

@cooldork68 I disagree, but then again, who really knows

[desotoguitar]

A JH and GB comparison. Neither one could do what the other does, it's virtually impossible.

[tgy07]

Like

[Jplent1]

Beautiful playing from Benson...an untouchable guitarist.

[DaveBoldGuitar]

Whoa, masterclass! :-)

[MattBlackParis]

There are so many guitar masters. I don't care about who's the best. Just enjoy the music.

[GiZa1987]

@MattBlackParis that's true! I agree with you! ;)

[ReminiscenceHr]

1:19-1:27 smokin' stuff

[mddavison54]

Most of us would cut off a finger to play like George never mind sing so well. We are not all born equal, don't believe that crap.

[vegetasrevenge]

The thing about Mr. Benson is he is equally as good as a singer as he is on guitar.

I could get as much enjoyment listening to him scat as I could from his solos.

And when he doubles them up...look out!

But if I were on an island...I'd have to choose Grant Green!

Sorry George!

[kalpal67]

@vegetasrevenge george was greatly influenced by him

[vegetasrevenge]

@kalpal67 Have you read the book on Grant Green? Its called :Grant Green: rediscovering the forgotten genius of Jazz guitar". George Benson contributed a lot to the book. He is way cool. I would love to meet him. He is one of the greats for sure.

[jeffbeck70]

I love Benson AND Hendrix AND Wes Montgomery AND Jeff Beck AND Charlie Christian AND .... (the liste goes on and on). Comparing Benson and Hendrix is useless. they don't play the same genre, Sure Benson is way more trained technically and musically but he never could do what Hendrix have done with a guitar. They simply don't play the same music. And i love them both.

[DaveBoldGuitar]

@jeffbeck70 - You're spot on there Jeff. :-)

[richsabre]

the whole idea of one all great guitarist is false, there is no such thing

[catchafire72]

Pure Magic!

[cooldork68]

Anyone who thinks Jimi Hendrix is the greatest guitarist ever(he was great) has likely never heard George Benson play before or any other great Jazz player.

[chrismacry]

@cooldork68 Right on Brother!

[kalpal67]

@cooldork68 jimi would say so himself

[olivierjaquet]

@cooldork68 Sorry but jimi hendrix and jeff beck even so they are not as skilled as george benson, they might be the two most revolutionnary guitarists. They changed the way we play modern guitar and influenced so many. We can also include django reinhart. But of course, george benson is one of my favorite guitar player

[cooldork68]

@olivierjaquet I love the playing of both Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck. Both are/were amazing players. I think Jeff beck is as skilled as Benson is, or at least very close to it.. Could Hendrix have played in the jazz style that Benson plays in? I think he could have. Hendrix just had a different style of playing. The influence and impact that the music of Hendrix and Jeff Beck has had is unmeasurable,

[blueflame2]

@cooldork68 I don't know Benson played the Newport folk festival in 1967. He was 16...So yeah Hendrix heard of him before he died. Now the question is has there ever been a greater player before Benson...???? He was earning a check as a professional musician when he was 8 years old....Point is the DUDE (Benson) ain't even real....I mean had professional chops at freakin 8 yrs old...

[Jpkrao]

@blueflame2 - Benson always blow my mind with his terrific playing technique that is out of this world.

[funkifyyourlife]

@blueflame2 Seriously? George Benson was nowhere near 16 y.o. in 1967. You should research things before you post.

[HomePersonalSecurity]

@cooldork68 Benson is one of the best guitar soloist.



[MrDemeter69]

@cooldork68 u r absolutely right.... larry carlton or even tommy emmanuel is light years a front of hit maker hendrix..... ..........

[mumbojoey]

@cooldork68 iv always gave credit to hendrix more for his choices and notes and breaking out with a new sound. Benson is a different calibre

[cooldork68]

@mumbojoey  well said

[DonGambali]

@cooldork68

As usual you white folks have it wrong when it comes to anything black made like thew blues and rock n roll. Jimi Hendrix is known as the most INFLUENTIAL guitarist of all time, not the best of which there is no best. But i see white folks love to throw that out there every chance they get as though to insite stupidity amung the novice musicians out there that are not grown up enough of experienced enough to do there damn homework before making unfounded statements.

[flinchfly57]

@DonGambali I'm going to give you a little tip. Before you go out calling other people stupid for stating their own opinion, make sure you use correct spelling. That way, you don't seem so stupid yourself.

[mtb1222]

@DonGambali "you white folks"? Seriously? Despite trying to sound intelligent your comment was one of the most racist and historically incorrect i've ever heard. Yes blacks played a pivotal role in both the blues and rock n' roll, but both genres have always been and will always be transcendant of race. Seems to me like you're missing the point.

[rooseguitar64]

@cooldork68 Hendrix had the intuitive nature and ear to have been one of the finest Jazz artists of our time... Its a shame that his life ended so quickly...

[cooldork68]

@rooseguitar64 I agree with you.

[WATERFOWL3R]

@cooldork68 George Benson is a great guitar player. But Jimi Hendrix changed the way we play guitar with new technique and sound. SRV and Clapton changed the way we play the blues.

[cooldork68]

@WATERFOWL3R very true what you say. I am a big fan of all the players you mentioned. I love blues as much as I love jazz.

[cooldork68]

@WATERFOWL3R Someone like Larry Carlton is the best of both worlds, He is a great jazz, blues, and rock player.

[sngncwby]

@WATERFOWL3R Music is not a Competition!! Jimi was Influenced GREATLY by artists like Wes Montgomery and Freddie King..... But you don't care about that because in your mind Jimi just "CREATED" all this from thin air.. Stop and realize that EVERY guitar player has been influenced by someone else... MUSIC IS NOT A COMPETITION!!!

[WATERFOWL3R]

@sngncwby Don't you think I know that, Jimi's Biggest influences where early blues artists like BB king,Muddy waters,and the great Robert Johnson. Jimi made people want to play guitar. Do you notice after people like Jimi and Clapton Tons of people started playing guitar. Jimi had a big influence on one of the most important blues guitarist(Some people think he's the best I dont want to get into that) SRV liten to jimi all the time. Music isn't a competion its a place where people can relax.

[TheoriginalGrumphy]

@sngncwby oh yes it is..If you want to work!..But who is best is opinion so is taste and ear

[my1name2]

any body finding the bald guy's hands unusually small?

[thagoodosn]

It's not fair...

[ighip]

it's all abou them blues!

[george0t]

I love the 'semi-acoustic' tone of GB's guitar here.

[belgesto]

GREAT!

[haboreh]

I remember George Benson as a kid. Glad he is still around!