Gig review: George Benson, Glasgow Clyde Auditorium

By DAVID POLLOCK
Published on 04/07/2012 00:00

THOSE who are most familiar with Pittsburgh-born George Benson through his big-selling disco-lite crossover hits in the early ‘80s might be forgiven for thinking Glasgow Jazz Festival had strayed beyond its remit in booking him this year.

Yet Benson, nearing 70 and with a brand new album entitled Guitar Man in tow, possesses a winning versatility that’s been well-exercised over a career spanning the last five decades.

Naturally most of the audience were here for his populist soul crooner persona, and none would surely have been disappointed by a set whose arguable high point was Benson’s rich, deep baritone on tracks like Lady Love Me (One More Time) and Kisses in the Moonlight. At one point a woman who was rather swept up by the moment cried out “you sexy beast” to ripples of laughter, but fortunately for George’s flow he seemed not to notice. Nor did he appear to have a finely-tuned appreciation of transatlantic geography, asking “am I bona fide Scottish?” after a delicate solo guitar instrumental of Danny Boy. “Irish!” responded many.

That guitar playing, of course, is what brought him here in the first place, his expressive jazz style complementing a stand-out take on Eden Ahbez’ Nature Boy and a rowdy instrumental Tequila. Never Give Up On a Good Thing and Give Me the Night were the songs which got people dancing, but the finale of On Broadway showed his technical proficiency and fun pop style work best together.

Rating: ***