George Benson - Nature Boy

George Benson is simply one of the greatest guitarists in jazz history, but he is also an amazingly versatile musician, and that frustrates to no end critics who would paint him into a narrow bop box. He can play in just about any style -- from swing to bop to R&B to pop -- with supreme taste, a beautiful rounded tone, terrific speed, a marvelous sense of logic in building solos, and, always, an unquenchable urge to swing. His inspirations may have been Charlie Christian and Wes Montgomery -- and he can do dead-on impressions of both -- but his style is completely his own. Not only can he play lead brilliantly, he is also one of the best rhythm guitarists around, supportive to soloists and a dangerous swinger, particularly in a soul-jazz format. Yet Benson can also sing in a lush soulful tenor with mannerisms similar to those of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, and it is his voice that has proved to be more marketable to the public than his guitar. Benson is the guitar-playing equivalent of Nat King Cole -- a fantastic pianist whose smooth way with a pop vocal eventually eclipsed his instrumental prowess in the marketplace -- but unlike Cole, Benson has been granted enough time after his fling with the pop charts to reaffirm his jazz guitar credentials, which he still does at his concerts.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• George
• Benson
• Nature
• Boy
• In
• Flight
• original
• studio
• version
• with
• lyrics
• high
• quality

[themadaboutmusic]

@redgbla This is definitely George Benson's, no kidding!

This is the best cover of 'Nature Boy' I'd ever been listened to.

His voice is astonishing as his guitar's tunes.

[rod11672000]

We use to step to this song in Chicago... And man we use to step asses off to this one!

[irynski]

Oh, this just does it for me. I played the album to death. This and "Everything Must Change" were left with no grooves...

[DJEvillincoln]

Ugh.. I need the album version of this on MP3... all I have is the 3 minnit version & my record is all scratchy... :(

[charlesmatthews]

When I met my wife, I had to go away for work so left my records with her. She used to bury her nose in my clothes just to feel me close and would play this album.

Wonderful memories...

[vlnlcn]

well no one certainly can do better on this song than gb! what a voice and a seawave guitar! thks

[RockAndFunk]

@Kevin107ish

Great idea. This actually sounds a little like him. I actually love this version better than any. Surprisingly, Cher did a fantastic job too, it was a tribute to Sonny, very touching to hear.

[bigirishuncle]

This is the biggest selling jazz album of all time, still is, for good reason. The whole album is tremendous. George at his best! I remember literally wearing out this album, twice. Also had the pleasure of seeing G.B. in concert around the time of this album's release. Those were the days.

[Kevin107ish]

I always hoped Stevie Wonder would record this fantastic song. This will do instead!

[NouvoRich]

Best Songwriting ever!

[Elisa6021]

Lindo! Peter love this music \o/