George Benson - Walking to New Orleans

****1/2

George Benson tribute to Fats Domino and Chuck Berry

Legendary Jazz guitarist George Benson will be releasing his brand new album 'Walking to New Orleans' on April 26th via Provogue / Mascot Label Group. The iconic musician pays tribute to Rock 'n' Roll pioneers Fats Domino and Chuck Berry. When I first read about this album I was expecting same sound Blues covers, but I couldnt have been further from the truth.

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The album opens with 'Nadine'. A real feel good Blues track. Bensons voice is great throughout the album, you straight away remember why this man has had the career hes had. He doesnt over do the vocal, with his warm tone mixed and guitar skills are so precise you cant help feel it each track. In my opinion his voice is just as much a part of his success as his guitar playing, both are very strong in every way.

"I'm a great appreciator of the music made by both of those guys," - George Benson

George Benson reanimates about his heroes 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, 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' and '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 George 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 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 fourty fifth album, and few sound quite as loose-limbed and flat out fun as this one. "We did have us a ball making this record" - George Benson
The album is a lot of fun. If you want a feel good blues album you wont be disapointed with this.

Review by Matt Gardiner

Listen! to the Track 'Nadine (Is it You)' Below...