George Benson
Good King Bad
Release Date 1975 07 zz
Label Contemporary cti 6062 cond ex/ex
Rating:
The R&B elements get stronger, the sound and mix are more attuned to the dancefloor, yet this brings out the best in George Benson's funky side. Thanks in part to the more rigid beat, Benson pares down his style to its rhythmic essentials, refusing to spray notes all over the place at random, and as a result, the record cooks and dances. His treatment of Vince Guaraldi's &"Cast Your Fate to the Wind," hugely complemented by Joe Farrell's wistfully prancing flute, is a mini-masterpiece in the use of space, of hitting exactly the right stabbing note right in the pocket. Again, Creed Taylor turns to a James Brown alumnus, David Matthews, for arrangements, and he discreetly and wisely stays out of Bad George's way. Buy this one for &"Cast Your Fate," but there is plenty more to savor here
Tracks:
Title Composer Time
1 Theme from Good King Bad Matthews 6:03
2 One Rock Don't Make No Boulder Matthews 6:50
3 Em Manamworth 4:56
4 Cast Your Fate to the Wind Guaraldi 7:00
5 Siberian Workout Matthews 6:45
6 Shell of a Man McDaniels 5:17
