Going to see George Benson

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Author Message Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 12:32 pm:    On Saturday, I'll be going to the CD101.9 Jazz Festival at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ (right across the river from Manahattan). The line up for Saturday will be a great day for guitarists: -Spirit of Life Ensemble featuring Daoud-David Williams -Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Alex Bugnon and Paul Taylor. -Gato Barbieri -Gil Parris -George Benson (the Man!) Sunday's lineup includes: Stanley Jordan David Sanborn Jeff Golub, Richard Elliot, Gerald Albright and Peter White Wayman Tisdale, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler and Brian Simpson. Tickets aren't cheap, but pretty good considering that it'll be a whole day (or two) of entertainment. Info can be found at www.cd1019.com/feature/liberty_jazz.aspx As I say, I'll be going on Sat. Anybody else planning to attend? Cmangeot Username: Cmangeot Registered: 04-2005 Posted on Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 2:00 pm:    I just saw George a couple of months back, UNBELIEVABLE still!!! Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 04-2001 Posted on Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 2:29 pm:    John~ You lucky dog! That sounds like my kind of line-up. Please post a mini-review afterwards. Garyelcrrt Username: Garyelcrrt Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 - 12:23 pm:    Really, Johns, with a lineup like that, you should pawn a watch or something and go to both shows! If I could, I'd fly in right now just to catch the music. If you promise to go, I'll contribut a dollar to the "Send John to both Concerts" fund. Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 10:08 am:    I'm out the door... Review and hopefully some pictures, to come tomorrow. Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 10:45 pm:    I don't have much time to write, so here are a couple of shots of Benson and the GB12 that he played for the entire set: More on the entire concert to come later! Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 1:58 am:    Seeing that guitar brings back nice memories of the GB-100 I once owned. Makes me regret selling it. Mrblanche Username: Mrblanche Registered: 01-2006 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 6:39 am:    I suppose the tape over the lower F hole is to protect his fingers during vigorous playing. Or what? Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 7:40 am:    The tape is probably to reduce feedback. It looks like the tape is covering both holes. Johns how was the music? I'm sure it was great. Cmangeot Username: Cmangeot Registered: 04-2005 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 9:49 am:    Yes the tape prevents/reduces feedback, GB had it on both of his guitars when I saw him in March. Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 10:09 am:    Mrblanche: The tape does cover both f-holes and it is to reduce feedback. Wildfield: Although there was some tremendous music played by great artists, for me, George was the hit of the concert. Including his encore, he played for about 1.5 hours. He really sings a lot! For a few songs he put his guitar down and just sang. But when he played, he was fantastic! He really knows how to relate to the audience, too. His band was tight! The drummer played a solo during the encore that was one of the best I've heard. The bass player was outstanding, too. He's been with GB for decades. There was a lot of communication between the band members, during sings and behind GB's back, always accompanied with smiles. So, they weren't talking about problems. They were into the gig and backing GB the best they could. GB was playing through a little Polytone (Minibrut?) that was miced. Here's a not so good picture. When I first got to the venue, I talked to the owner of the sound equipment. He told me that GB had come to the park early to do a sound check, that GB had his own engineer and the he sounded great. Later, I spotted this rack of guitars at the side af the stage. They turned out to be GB's (the GB12 and a GB10 that he didn't play), his rhythym guitarist's (Yamaha Pacifica) and the bass player's (custom-made?). They were out in the sun from early in the morning until the stage was set up for GB at 5:00pm. I was surprised. The temp was around 85 degrees F, most of the time. Considering that GB was added to the bill after I purchased tickets, I got one of the best festival experiences, ever! Ibanez guitars were also prominent in the Norman Brown part of the concert. More to come! Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 04-2001 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 10:29 am:    Thanks John. Awesome photos and review. Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 2:26 pm:    My recollection is that GB daisy chained a Polytone MB with a Fender Hot Rod Deville. I think I read that in his interview in JJG. Did you see any evidence of a HR Deville on stage? Thanks for the review and photos. Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 5:54 pm:    Wildfield: I didn't see any other amp near GB's Polytone. Here's a wider shot of the stage: Here's a close up of the rhythm player's setup. Looks like a miced Fender Twin Reverb with a POD attached. I figured the second Twin was a backup. Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 6:14 pm:    Johns, You got a lot of great shots. I can't tell you how painful it is to see that GB-12. Thanks again for posting the photos and for your comments. By the way, I've seen GB maybe 3 or 4 times. He always sings his hits but he also seems to get in some guitar playing as well. In my opinion, it doesn't matter what genre of song he is playing; that guy plays his butt off. Great chops, great timing and great sense of harmony. Another great player who makes me want to give up the guitar whenever I hear him. Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 8:03 pm:    John Besides water what is that sitting on top of GB's amp some kind of juice? Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 9:06 pm:    Wildfield: Here's a couple more shots of GB getting cranked up! Freak: I don't know what the small dark spray bottle is. Anybody recognize it? Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 10:50 pm:    Johns, You had excellent seats or a monster telephoto lens. Glad you had such a great view of GB. Now, there should be no excuses for not stealing all his great licks! Thanks again for posting the photos. Darryl Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 8:54 am:    Wildfield: I "found" a better seat (3rd row, aisle) for the GB and Norman Brown portion of the concert. My "real" seat was in row 20. My buddy has a much better camera and was shooting with a telephoto. I know he got some good pictures from row 20. He's supposed to bring them around tonight, so I should have some more to choose from. Here's a blurry shot, but shows the intensity that GB has when he performs. Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 9:23 am:    Here's some shots of the venue. You can see why they call it Liberty State Park. Here's a shot of Gato Barbieri. Great sax player. Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 5:16 pm:    Here's some more pictures of the concert that my friend took. He was in the 20th row, but has a better camera and a BIG telephoto lens. Here's the man: and his back up GB10. The gold looks pretty shiny, huh? Here is Norman Brown playing his GB100: and his AF195 with what looks like a synth pickup and custom controls on the pickguard. He never played it, though. Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 5:22 pm:    Oops, sorry. Here's the correct picture of Norman Brown's AF195 showing the synth pickup: Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 5:29 pm:    Here's another performer who appeared at the show. His name is Gil Parris. I've met him at the Philly Guitar show and heard him play there several times. Besides being a good enough musician to be second act on a bill that included all the others, he's a really nice guy. He has a lot of stuff going on, including a Hot Licks video. Check out his website: www.gilparris.com. Here's your's truly meeting up with Gil outside of the refreshment tent: Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 9:35 pm:    Funny to see a picture of Gil on this site. I happen to know him. He lived just down the street from me where I grew up. He seriously dated my brother in-law's cousin so for a while he would be at family functions. He's older than he looks. I think around 40. Believe it or not, he's always playing in small local bars near where I live (Westchester County). Once, he stopped in and joined my band for a song or two and he played my Weir 2680. His Fender Strat is stock, except for the rose. He's a fine player and has a very good band. A few years ago, he was the guitarist for Blood Sweat & Tears (I think) during a summer reunion tour. If you get a chance, check him out. mk Munch Username: Munch Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 5:12 am:    Hi Johns, That is an amazing looking venue. To think that you can go see a George Benson gig in New York Harbour, on the Statue of Liberty Island no less..........that my friend is what dreams are made of!!! You are one lucky guy. BTW who is that 'porn star' shaking hands with Gil?? One day John, I'm gonna come over there and we'll play some Ibanez's and take me out on the town!! I feel like I know you mate - it's been 7 years on this board for me now! Cheers, Munch

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