GEORGE BENSON — White Rabbit (review)

GEORGE BENSON — White Rabbit album cover

Album · 1972 · Pop/Art Song/Folk

4/5 · 2011-07-15
dreadpirateroberts

A slick but interesting album from a great guitarist.

George Benson's second set for CTI, 'White Rabbit' has all the hallmarks of the label. Sebesky's string arrangements, a glossy production where the instruments sound clean and warm, several covers (including pop songs and music from a film score) a thematic angle to the album (Mexico/Spain) and a strong leader backed by an all-star cast (Hancock, Carter, Cobham, and Airto Moreira among others.)

Benson himself did not enjoy the 'tracking' process where the rhythm section records first and the lead instruments are overdubbed, but the results are hardly terrible. However, I can understand him wanting to play 'live' with the rest of the band when recording.

To the tracks themselves. All but the closing are covers. First up is Grace Slick's 'White Rabbit' which starts the album with a mournful horn before the song builds to its crescendo, making time for guitar, electric piano and flute solos. A similar effect is used later on with 'California Dreaming'. Across the whole set, Cobham plays with his usual power and precision, comparatively restrained compared to say, Mahavishnu Orchestra, but still unleashing some driving rhythms, especially on 'Little Train' which is also where Moreira supplies some effective wordless vocals. They are mixed reasonably low and are quite fitting in 'White Rabbit' and 'El Mar' too, something I thought was an interesting touch.

'Theme from the Summer of '42' is track that benefits from its Sebesky arrangement, and brings to mind some of Benson's gentle playing from parts of his previous LP, 'Beyond the Blue Horizon.' To close the album is the only Benson composition, a ten minute exploration of a theme 'El Mar' (the sea) which has acoustic and electric guitar sharing the spotlight for much of the time, and is the album highlight.

Throughout this album the sound of guitar dominates, both acoustic and electric. There's a Spanish mood to the record too, with much of the brass playing supporting roles, leaving drums, bass and electric piano as the other focal points. Benson is considered and proficient as ever with his solos, but I feel like he never truly cuts loose in this set, which is a shame, as overall the album can feel a little too calm. It's still quite enjoyable for me, and has some fine interpretations backed by a great original. Four stars.

If you're looking for a guitar-based album that operates a bit left of field for a jazz album, then check this one out, just be warned that it does have some strings and orchestral backing, so have a listen first if that's not your cup of tea.

more than 2 years ago
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dreadpirateroberts wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Thank you!

Yeah, me too - it's a bit of a golden age with his earlier stuff huh? I must hear that Beatles cover album he did too, sounds like a good take on pop - you heard it?