George Benson Weekend In London 180g 2LP (Transparent Orange Vinyl)

TAS Rated 3.5/5 Music, 4/5 Sonics in the March 2021 Issue of The Absolute Sound!

At a time when most living legends would step back, slow down, and bask in their royalties, there's a creative curiosity about George Benson that has kept the veteran jazzman active and forging ahead. 'Weekend in London', a live album brings Benson full circle. The 77-year old estimates that almost a half-century has passed since he last performed at the fabled Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. This live recording taken from Benson's historic return to the Soho club in 2019, is another chapter in the venue's prestigious lore. It's a rare treat to find this megastar going nose-to-nose with the breathless 250 capacity club, since fans are used to seeing Benson on the big stages that befit his sky-high status. "I like that kind of intimacy," says Benson. "I can feel the love when it's up close and personal." "It was very crowded," he continues. "I'm always happy to be in those surrounding. It was a fantastic night."

This hard-bitten jazzman might prefer spontaneity to his set lists, but this latest live album nods to many of his countless career hits. Whether he's opening with the deathless groove of "Give Me the Night", revisiting fan favorites like "Love X Love" and "In Your Eyes", or breathing fresh mojo into classic covers like Dave Bartholomew's "I Hear You Knocking" and Donny Hathaway's "The Ghetto", fans will undoubtedly love every minute of this performance.

It's been a long and winding road for George Benson. Now, on 'Weekend In London', the same club that hosted that young hotshot back in the early-'70s welcomes back the older, wiser legend to burn down the house.

On this live outing from Ronnie Scott's, the intimate 250-seat London nightclub, Benson intersperses his hits with his guitar chops. His first live album in 32 years, Weekend in London showcases his honeyed vocals on tunes like 'Give Me The Night, ' 'Love X Love,' and 'Never Give Up on a Good Thing,' and has him flaunting his signature licks on Donny Hathaway's 'The Ghetto,' 'Affirmation,' and 'Cruise Control.'