Search - George Benson: Absolutely Live on DVD

George Benson in concert..........Fantastic!!

Kevin J. Reid | Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire United Kingdom | 04/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have seen George Benson roughly ten times in concert covering a period of fourteen years and would have seen him more given the opportunity. This performance is based on Benson's concert format used for over ten years, apart from the BBC Big band backing him in this concert. This DVD perfectly captures Benson live and displays the diversity of his musical talent through Big band (Beyond The Sea etc..), jazz (Breezin etc..), pop (turn your love around etc..) and funk (Give me the night). Added bonuses include an interview with Benson, individual band member interviews and the chance to see Benson perform with Joe Sample from their 'Absolute Benson' collabaration. It is quite obvious that the actual concert included allot more tracks that Benson usually performs, which didn't make the DVD probably due to format constraints (the only thing missing unfortunately). Hopefully, these will be available someday, but you never know.I would conclude that this is the only visual media offering I have ever seen of George Benson that you can view on your home TV. A must if your a fan and an insight to his talent if you are inquisitive. I noticed one reviewer wasn't happy with the sound quality. Mine plays and sounds excellent and I only have nicam TV sound and a budget DVD player.If you are a music lover, you won't regret this purchase as it's a wonderful musical experience."

Outstanding Performance

Flavio Cipparrone | 02/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an awesome concert performance - don't listen to some of the negative reviews! While George starts the concert with three vocal performances in front of the BBC Big Band, which may initially disappoint some viewers (like me) who crave his guitar playing, he soon dons the guitar in front of an electric band that includes Joe Sample. His versions of "This Masquerade" and "Breezin" are particularly powerful. I'm afraid I can't agree with some of the other reviewers that criticize his "diminished" vocal range - George's voice appears to me to be just as strong and expressive as it did when I saw him live in the 1970's. We jazz guitar lovers are very lucky - three of the five arguably best guitar players of all time (George, Pat Metheny and Lee Ritenour) are currently active and thanks to video and DVD, performances such as these can be kept forever."

Very Good

Flavio Cipparrone | Sao Paulo, Brasil | 01/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I simply can not understand some other reviewers that rated this DVD with less than 5 stars.

If you like Big Bands you will see an excellent one (BBC big band) playing. Also, Benson is a great guitarrist and singer and in addition the songs were well chosen.

Listen the first song (All of Me), listen to the BIG BAND and say if I am wrong.

WARNING: For you to really appreciate this DVD employ some good audio equipment. Dont use only the loudspeakers of your TV or that cheap hometheater set. I used an amplifier connected with a monitor quality headphone (AKG K-66) and thought I was in the show live.

As a pianist and can guarantee this DVD is great."

Benson LIVE on Video:FINALLY

pacinpelo | Lake Worth, Florida United States | 02/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After years of waiting George Benson has finally delivered what fans have always wanted a live video concert, although it falls a bit short of near perfect. This release is somewhat a mirror image of the PBS special that ran in December, which was totally unorganized. With the same show being released on DVD/VHS you get to see the concert the way it was meant to be as a performance, in order, from start to finish, instead of jumping back and forth. The concert is divided into three separate venues opening with Big Band standards, then moving into George's new material with Joe Sample and finally George's classic stuff that always make him a must see. George's chemistry with the BBC Big Band, Sample and his own band is generally without flaw. The DTS audio and video are both fresh and crisp (DVD). For those familiar with Benson's reputation in live concerts will notice missing some classic Benson interludes, his takes on Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett would have been nice to see, but given this concert was in Belfast he opts for a rendition of the classic Danny Boy which is good but pales in comparison to George's real hidden talent with the guitar. Also missing are classic Benson staples Affirmation and Love Ballad both of which sizzle live. Nevertheless, just about all of his material is here and done quite well. Thankfully this was released commercially and not left to the poorly edited PBS special to serve as an only Benson live performance. Benson fans now have an updated, not perfect but live performance and have waited too long to get it."