Released 1990 (1990) Big Boss Band(1990) Love Remembers(1993) Release date 11 September 1990 | Length 41:48 Label Warner Bros. Records | |
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Recorded Clinton Recording And Power Station, New York City; CTS Studios Ltd., Wembley, England (track 7) Similar George Benson albums, Jazz albums | ||
Big Boss Band is the 1990 studio album of George Benson on Warner Bros. featuring the Count Basie Orchestra. It's his second consecutive album which returns to his jazz roots after his successful pop career in the 1980s, and also his debut as sole producer of an album. The genre is mainly big band swing with some Michel Legrand and R&B thrown in.
Contents
George benson ready now that you are big boss band
Concept
In his liner notes, Benson writes that in 1983 he made a promise to Count Basie "to do his (Basie's) music justice" on an album such as Big Boss Band. He continues: "The spirit of the Basie Legacy permeated these sessions as I approached each one (song) in the way I believed the Count would have wanted." He thanks to Frank Foster III for his contribution and notes that he "was Basie's only choice" to arrange this album.
Reception
The album was criticized by jazz writers for not being jazzy enough, for the vocal performance and for not being able to grab the opportunity of making a jazz classic.
Awards
Frank Foster received Grammy Award for his arrangement of George Benson’s composition “Basie’s Bag” (Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band, 1990).
Personnel
Musicians:
Count Basie Orchestra (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10):
Additional Musicians:
New York Horns (5):
Robert Farnon Orchestra (7):
Technical:
Songs
1Without a SongCount Basie Orchestra4:12
2Ready Now That You AreCount Basie Orchestra5:50
3How Do You Keep the Music PlayingCount Basie Orchestra5:04