George Benson | Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole

George Benson | Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole
Concord Records
By Peggy Oliver

I fully appreciate it when recording artists occasionally devote a cover song made famous by one of their favorite artists or better yet an influential figure who has stood the test the time. That stated, the way over abundance and over the top tribute projects, such as anything entitled Smooth Sax Tributes, are frankly opportunities to simply cheapen the legacy of musical icons. On the plus side, tributes can serve as welcome reminders in how the artists direct high praises towards their childhood heroes that influenced their own body of work. Two particular examples from 2012 exemplifying this area are Leela James’ modern R&B/hip-hop accented salute to blues great Etta James, Loving You More and jazz guitarist/producer U-Nam’s edgy perspective of George Benson’s career for Weekend in L.A.Considering the high rate of tribute projects these days, it is finally Benson’s turn to honor his greatest musical hero.

On the video trailer for Benson’s latest Concord release, Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole, what jumps out the most is how the vocal phrasing and texture practically resembles Cole’s buttery vocal chops. More significantly, what Benson and Cole also share are their accomplishments in the jazz field before breaking through as commercially successful vocalists,
though in completely different genres. While Cole’s work leaned mostly toward pop audiences from the late forties through the early sixties, Benson’s decade of hit making for Warner Brothers (1977 thru 1986), including “On Broadway” and “This Masquerade,” was geared for the R&B and contemporary jazz markets.

Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole stems from an absolute labor of love totaling Benson’s four years of touring and constant refining. For the overture, “Mona Lisa” is rendered from the then eight-year old Lil’ Georgie Benson in a rare recording from 1951 that exudes Cole’s vocal elegance. The booming brass section ushers in “Just One of Those Things” in a hard swinging setting that brilliantly frames one of Benson’s several tasteful scat and guitar solos. In a cooler jazz vein, “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and “Route 66” reflect Benson’s pure admiration and understanding for Cole’s roots
with the King Cole Trio.

Another Cole signature piece, “Unforgettable,” is transformed into a gentle samba while maintaining its stylish charm that is further highlighted by an impeccable trumpet solo by Wynton Marsalis. Though Benson scored a hit with “Nature Boy” in a slow-burning jazz funk way, he focuses on the delicate intricacies of Cole’s hit rendition. Shear vocal beauty embraces “Too Young” in an appealing duet by Benson and Judith Hill. The other duet, and the only mild misfire on Inspiration, “When I Fall in Love,” runs somewhat aground because of Idina Menzel’s acrobatics that overshadows Benson’s sophisticated approach.

For Inspiration, Benson chooses charts from former Cole collaborator, Nelson Riddle. Kudos are also extended to The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra for their sensitivity regarding the integrity of Cole’s legacy. Of course, the real star belongs to Benson for time well spent in the crafting of Inspiration. These ingredients and Benson’s sincere mutual respect for
his hero are what make tribute projects memorable events, instead of another flash in the pan.

Four and three-quarter stars out of five.

Other Tracks on Inspiration:

“Walkin’ My Baby Back Home”
“Ballerina”
“Smile”
“I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter”

Peggy Oliver
The Urban Music Scene