George Benson gets back to Americana basics on ‘Walking to New Orleans‘, the legendary jazz guitarist’s double-barreled tribute to both piano-pounding Crescent City hit machine Fats Domino and the original rock guitar hero and poet, Chuck Berry.
George Benson by Austin Hargrave
“I’m a great appreciator of the music made by both of those guys,” says Benson, who reanimates their genius with his signature soulful vocals and buttery solos. “Chuck Berry was a great showman and a great musician, and Fats Domino cut nothing but hit after hit after hit.”
The Chuck Berry songbook is represented on ‘Walking To New Orleans‘ by “Nadine (Is It You?),” “You Can’t Catch Me,” “Havana Moon,” “Memphis, Tennessee,” and “How You’ve Changed.”
Fats Domino weighs in with “Rockin’ Chair,” “Ain’t That a Shame,” “I Hear You Knocking,” “Blue Monday,” and the album’s iconic title track.
‘Walking to New Orleans‘ is Benson’s first recording since 2013’s ‘Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole.’ But where Benson embellished Cole’s cool tunes with lush orchestral arrangements, ‘Walking‘ found Benson hunkering down in Ocean Way Studios on Music Row with a quartet of first-call Nashville cats: drummer and music director Greg Morrow, guitarist Rob McNelley, pianist Kevin McKendree, and bassist Alison Prestwood. Producer Kevin “The Caveman” Shirley (Journey, John Hiatt, Iron Maiden) was at the controls.
George Benson by Austin Hargrave
George Benson will perform at the Apollo Nights Summer Series on 18th-19th July at London’s Eventim Apollo. Over one week in July 2019 at London’s Eventim Apollo, legendary artists will take to the stage, as the Apollo’s newly restored Art Deco interior is celebrated as the stalls area is transformed into an intimate dining experience for a truly spectacular evening, marrying the delights of the best in music and food. A dining experience by one of the UK’s most exciting chefs – Bryn Williams.
‘Walking to New Orleans‘ is George Benson’s 45th album, and few sound quite as loose-limbed and flat-out fun as this one. “We did have us a ball making this record,” he admits.
For More Info – George Benson
George Benson will be featured in the next edition of Blues Matters magazine.
