By Ron Wynn
Guitarist/vocalist George Benson has made many celebrated projects throughout his career, but few have had the lengthy period between recording and release date as his latest. “Dreams Do come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon” (Rhino) was finally issued Friday, despite the fact Benson actually recorded it back in 1989.
The Benson/Farnon collaboration was envisioned as the ideal match of Benson’s superb vocals and guitar solos and Farnon’s masterful arrangements. The sessions featured Benson’s version of such standards as “Autumn Leaves,” “At Last,” and “My Romance,” as well as versions of the Beatles’ “Yesterday” and Leon Russell’s “A Song For You.”
But for whatever reason, the original LP was never issued. Then the recordings mysteriously vanished until being recently rediscovered in Benson’s personal archive. Fortunately they were intact, and the result is this fine New LP. The original sessions were done by award-winning engineer Al Schmidt. But the 11 tracks have been newly remastered, and Benson collaborated this time with another ward winner, pianist, composer, and arranger Randy Waldman as his co-producer.
“Dreams Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon” also marks his return to Warner Bros. Records, the label on which he’s enjoyed his greatest commercial success. He was previously with the company from 1976-1993, having 12 studio LPs released, including his biggest “Breezin.” George Benson has won 10 Grammy Awards and was a 2009 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master.
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