01-George Benson-Dont Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
02-George Benson-Family Reunion
03-George Benson-Show Me The Love
04-George Benson-A Telephone Call Away
05-George Benson-Someday Well All Be Free
06-George Benson-Nuthin But A Party
07-George Benson-Come In From The Cold
08-George Benson-Exotica
09-George Benson-Rainy Night In Georgia
10-George Benson-One Like You
11-George Benson-Living In High Definition
12-George Benson-Sailing
Gerald Albright Saxophone
Maguinho Alcântara Drums
Patti Austin Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
George Benson Guitar, Vocals, Liner Notes, Soloist
J.J. Blair Engineer, Vocal Arrangement
Norman Brown Guitar, Vocals
Bruno Cardozo Keyboards, Organ (Hammond)
Paulinho Da Costa Percussion
Chuck Findley Trumpet
David Garfield Organ, Piano, Keyboards, Vocal Arrangement, Production Assistant
Gary Grant Trumpet
Lalah Hathaway Vocals
Jerry Hey Horn Arrangements
Mary Hogan A&R
Toninho Horta Guitar (Acoustic), Associate Producer
Paul Jackson, Jr. Guitar
Marcelo Lima Guitar (Acoustic)
Charles Loper Trombone
Steve Lukather Guitar, Producer
William Magalhaes Fender Rhodes
Marcus Miller Organ, Bass, Percussion, Piano, Arranger, Conductor, Keyboards, Marimba, Programming, Vocals, Producer, Vibraphone, Fender Rhodes, Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements, Drum Loop
David Paich Keyboards, Programming, Producer, Horn Arrangements
Ray Parker, Jr. Guitar
Carolyn Perry Vocals (bckgr)
Lori Perry Vocals (bckgr)
Sharon Perry Vocals (bckgr)
Greg Phillinganes Piano, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes
Steve Porcaro Synthesizer
Lee Ritenour Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)
John "J.R." Robinson Drums
Smokey Robinson Vocal Arrangement
Robin Ross Viola
Tom Scott Saxophone, Horn Arrangements
Leslie O. Smith Vocal Arrangement
Paul "Scooby" Smith Assistant Engineer
Bobby Sparks Keyboards, Organ (Hammond)
Rod Temperton Arranger, Keyboards, Programming
Victor Vanacore Conductor, Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements
Wah Wah Watson Guitar
George Benson's sound is so recognizable that, in its way, it's quite comforting to hear his voice or his guitar come across on the radio or in a club. His recordings have been polished and extravagant in many cases, but there are those signature elements — his relaxed delivery and silky touch on the strings and his voice, as evocative as a cool breeze floating across a hot summer night. Songs and Stories doesn't deviate from his formula a great deal, but it doesn't have to. He's chosen ten ubiquitous pop tunes from a variety of songwriters (and one by a relatively new kid on the block), and with the help of producers John Burk and Marcus Miller, he puts them across in fine style. The set opens with James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," with the great Brazilian guitarist Toninho Horta on acoustic to contrast with Benson's electric. The tune simply eases down into the listener, and more than a desperate plea as it was in Taylor's case, this version is a request that offers plenty of rhythm — courtesy of a beatbox by Butterscotch and Paulinho Da Costa's percussion. Another standout on the set is the slow strolling version of Bill Withers' "A Telephone Call Away," with guest vocalist Lalah Hathaway in duet, Gerald Albright's saxophone, and Bobby Sparks II's B-3 all adding to the band's textural palette. Following it is an intimate small-group setting of a cover of "Someday We'll All Be Free" by Lalah's late father, Donny Hathaway. Young Southern soul singer/songwriter Marc Broussard contributes "Come in from the Cold" to the mix. Benson is accompanied by Tom Scott on saxophones, guitarist Jubu, Miller's bass, and Sparks' Hammond, embellished by some nice Rhodes work by Greg Phillinganes. The reading of Tony Joe White's "Rainy Night in Georgia" is unusual, and laden with strings, but it works because Benson doesn't try to create a definitive version of anything; he simply creates his own. There are also two fine surprises at the end of the disc: an excellent version of Smokey Robinson's "One Like You" with a large ensemble; and a downright funky take on Lamont Dozier's "Living in High Definition," which is sure to be a hit at contemporary jazz radio. Benson, Jubu, and Wah Wah Watson all contribute electric guitars, with Miller playing vibes as well as laying down layers of beats atop his own string arrangements. Benson fans should have a ball with Songs and Stories. It's consistently smooth in texture, its arrangements are elegant, and it's sequenced beautifully.
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