Creed Taylor Produced

While cleaning up my desktop after writing the “George Benson Live at Boston’s Jazz Workshop: A 1973 Experience” post – I found a review of the performance from February 23rd, by Larry Ramsdell, of the The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, MA. I enjoy reading contemporary reviews, so here it is.

The article I’ve transcribed today came from the February 23rd – 1973 issue of The Patriot Ledger ^[1]https://www.patriotledger.com/ – Page-12. As noted, the article was written and reviewed by Larry Ramsdell ^[2]Alvin Ramsdell Jr. was the City editor and Jazz critic of the Quincy Patriot Ledger and a veteran from the Korea war. Larry died in 1996 after a 10-year battle with cancer. Mr. Ramsdell was a lover … Continue reading.

Again, this was one of Earl Klugh’s earliest live performances with George Benson, which is what made it worth reproducing here. The George Benson Quartet was at the Jazz Workshop for 6-nights and the set published yesterday doesn’t match exactly Larry’s review.

The article is reproduced in full and as accurately as I could. It may contain transcription or punctuation errors not found in the original. No other changes or corrections have been made. I have noted any errors that are found in the original, if any. An image of the original article is included at the end.

Jazz Beat

On The Edge

By Larry Ramsdell
Patriot Ledger Correspondent

George Benson is a guitarist who is undeniably a major jazz talent. At 30. Benson combines fleet ness on his chosen instrument and feeling in his strokings for an evening of music that cooks and is truly exhilarating And a listening any night this week at the Jazz Workshop, Boston, to Benson and the quartet will definitely prove the guitarist is a first rate player.

Benson’s current unit moves subtly , chiefly because of its instrumentation — two guitars, bass and drums. The tempos at times swing madly and the soft sound creates an excitement that seems ready to explode but never does. That is what makes Benson’s music so delicious

Benson has been skirting the edges of stardom in jazz for several years now He may be the logical successor to Wes Montgomery’ — no easy shoes to fill — because he can play with the same beautiful, rhythmic intensity as Wes and yet slip in some finger paralyzing runs without dropping a beat or losing the particular groove he may be in

Drive and Lay Back

With Benson in his Workshop appearance is rhythm guitarist Earl Klugh. a player who comps like a pianist, bassist Roland Wilson, who gets a fat but not overpowering tone from his Fender, and drummer Larry McClosky who provides a rhythmic pulse with some of the nicest sounding cymbals lieard in montlis. All of lhe quartet knows when to drive and lay back and that’s the gassy part ot Benson’s foursome.

Most of the opening night set was from Benson’s recent CTI album “White Rabbit “ On lhe first tune of the night, Benson obtained a Django-ish sound on a gentle rocker The piece was an immediate display of the guitarist’s technical ability and harmonic richness. On the last half of the tune Benson goosed the tempo with some fine double time chording that set right with the nearly full house in Workshop

Throughout the set Benson continued to display his prowess particularly’ on “El Mar.” a tune with hunks of flamenco guitar work lapsing into an extended Latin-flavored segment and returning to the original theme and out The one blazer in the set was carried off with little sweat by all hands and embellished by McClosky’s delicately driving cymbal work. Guitarist Klugh then stroked out an involved and lyrical version of “People” alone and then it was all hands back for a romping treatment of “California Dreaming ”.

Early Days

Born in Pittsburgh. Benson began guitar at an early age and worked mostly around his hometown until he jointed organist Jack McDuff s group for a three-year tour Even then he was one of the prime players with the organist s Land He next formed a trio, and apparently enjoying the role of leader, stayed with that format for two years until he added an organ. In fact, his early band with Ronnie Cuber and organist Lonnie Smith was one of the happier bands around. Benson is still leading his own group and along the way has turned out more than 10 albums, many of which have received excellent reviews.

Benson has the ability to be fluent and forceful in his playing. He can shift gears easily within any tempo through his soloing and his present band is with him all the way Strong single note solos or intricate chord playing are broadly displayed through every set And as an extra, he also sings better than most of the current pop singers.

Benson has absorbed his influences and is very close to developing his own voice. When he does, it will be our pleasure.

(The original article, as shown, contained a picture of George Benson – taken from this CTI Press picture which was scanned from one in the ctproduced.com archive. The tagline came from the original article as shown below.)

Updates: 9th July, 2026 – Indebted to an email from Richard “Dick” Vacca, minor updates and additions.