It's my freshest attainment - a pre-birthday present. I haven't really known Benson albums yet, except for "Absolute Benson", but this new one is another category, it's from the earlier times, when he was more conventional and less "pop" (his later carreer is more notable, but that would be an other post). But the orchestration isn't conventional, there are also trumpet, flugelhorn, vibes, harmonica and organ, etc. in the tracks. (at the piano: Hank Jones and Herbie Hancock!)
It isn't hard to get in that kind of mood which this album shows us. Looseness, lightness and vividness - especially for the second track: "Face it boy, it's over" - with the light vocals in the background, and the simple, carefree melody. Do you feel this kind of looseness and airiness while listening to today's music? I don't think so. You can say that the latest r'n'b tracks are very cool and loose, but I suppose the honest innocence and that kind of simplicity are missing. "Shape of things to come" doesn't contain any bad thought, it wants to live - and this album will calm you down.
My other favourite on this album is the last track: "Last train to Clarksville". On the cover you can read: "...this leads us into the closer, Last train to Clarksville. Lucas' harmonica is the lonesome whistle that activates the train. As Morris stokes his engine with a perpetual brush-fire, Benson spaces his phrases astutely for optimum swing and impact. After the brass ensemble shouts out its message, the theme returns, fading away down the track and off into the distance." I like as the bass goes down on a dissonant note for a moment, and then up again (from 02:27): with the monotonic drum theme (like the noise of the trains) it creates a non-stop feeling.
It was recorded in 1968 and now it's released by Verve Records.
Read more about this album on the Verve website: http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/artist/releases/default.aspx?pid=11760&aid=2731
Face it boy, it's over:
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