Concord 0888072330993

George Benson (g, v), Dan Higgins (fl, clt), Joe Sample (p), David Garfield (p, kys), Chris Walden (kys), Charlie Bisharat (vln, vla), Paul Jackson Jr., Ray Fuller (g), Freddie Washington, Ben Williams (b), Harvey Mason, Oscar Seaton Jr. (d), and Lenny Castro (perc). Rec. date not stated

Here’s a gem no guitar man would want to slip under the radar. Like it suggests on the tin, this is Benson in guitar mode. Only three of the 12 tracks feature vocals, and only a typically smooth take on Stevie Wonder’s ‘My Cherie Amour’ echoes Benson the pop balladeer. Instead there’s an endearing, almost naked version of ‘Since I Fell For You’ pitched against simple piano chords. This stripped down attitude also features on most of the instrumentals with the core band of Sample, Mason and Williams (not bad guys to have on the end of a phone) giving Benson astute and subtle support around a satisfying ‘Naima’, and, in a rare shaft of up-tempo fun, a smileful ‘Fingerlero’. And almost to be perverse, when the lush strings and bigger band are called up for the Beatles ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’, Benson delivers it as a plea, a soulful lament, not as ecstatic pop. Musical director David Garfield must win credit for the gentle sophistication of this album on which Benson, to mis-quote an unlikely ally, shuts up and just plays. Andy Robson