George Benson with the Count Basie Orchestra - Big Boss Band

This project had its genesis back in 1983 with a Benson promise to Count Basie that he would record an album in his style, a promise partially fulfilled the following year with 20/20's "Beyond the Sea." Focusing on standards that steer commendably clear from tunes normally associated with Basie, Benson takes on the dual challenge of big-band singer and lead guitarist and succeeds with authority in both roles. The robust playing of the Basie band under Frank Foster poses absolutely no problems for Benson's muscular guitar, for he punches out the notes and octaves in irresistibly swinging fashion (for prime mature Benson, check out "Basie's Bag"). As a vocalist, he sounds solid and debonair, blending well with Basie vocalist Carmen Bradford on "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" There are two deviations from the format, though. "Baby Workout" starts out as an electronic dance number, augmented by horns, that harks back to his run of routine '80s albums. The sole Robert Farnon-arranged track, a lush orchestral treatment of "Portrait of Jennie" recorded in London, was salvaged from an aborted project that was promised back in 1988. Clearly Benson had wrestled control of his music from the accountants, and though the direction is conservative, it makes better use of his talents. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Schmitt Producer, Assistant Producer, Mixing, Engineer Alexander White Hair Stylist, Stylist Barry Eastmond Keyboards, Piano Bashiri Johnson Percussion Bob Ojeda Trumpet, Soloist, Group Member, Arranger Byron Stripling Soloist, Trumpet, Group Member Carl Carter Group Member Carmen Bradford Vocal Harmony, Vocals Charlton Johnson Group Member Clarence Banks Group Member Cleveland Eaton Group Member Count Basie Performer, ? Danny Turner ? Dave Russell Engineer David Glasser Soloist, Sax (Alto), Group Member David Russell Engineer David Witham Keyboards Doug Miller ? Douglas Miller ? Duffy Jackson Group Member Earl Gardner Horn, Group Member Ed Rak Mixing Eith O'Quinn Horn Elliot Scheiner Engineer Frank Foster Arranger, Sax (Tenor) George Benson Liner Notes, Vocals, Producer, Performer, Guitar George Cohen Group Member George Cohn ? Greg Calbi Mastering James Pugh Horn, Group Member Jeff Toone Engineer John Williams ? Jon Faddis Group Member, Horn Keith O'Quinn Horn, Group Member Kenny Hing Group Member Larry Farrell Group Member, Horn Lew Soloff Group Member, Horn Little Johnny Williams Group Member Lorna Stovall Design Mary Ann Dibs Art Direction Mel Wanzo Group Member Mike "Love" Williams Group Member Mike Williams ? New York Horns ? Paul Faulise Horn, Group Member Peter Darmi Engineer Ralph MacDonald Percussion Randy Brecker Group Member, Horn Richard Tee Keyboard Bass Robert Farnon Arranger Robert Farnon Orchestra ? Robert Hakalski Photography Robin Lynch Grooming Ron Carter Bass Terry Burrus Keyboards Tim "T-Bone" Williams Trombone William Hughes Group Member