George Benson - Absolutely Live (DTS)

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.


Very Good   January 11, 2006
Flavio Cipparrone (Sao Paulo, Brasil)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

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.


Outstanding Performance   February 14, 2001
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

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.


GEORGE LIVE. YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT.   December 4, 2004
CONCERT LOVER (AKRON, OHIO)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

GEORGE BENSON. WHAT A GREAT MUSICIAN. THIS CONCERT IS A GOOD MIX OF OLD AND NEW. THE OPENING SONGS WITH THE BBC BIGBAND ARE WONDERFUL. I'D LOVE A WHOLE CONCERT OF GEORGE WITH THE BIGBAND, FLAWLESS. WE ALL LOVE THE VIRTUOSIC GUITAR, BUT I THINK WHAT REALLY SHINES HERE ARE HIS VOCALS. THE MAN IS ONE OF THE BEST SINGERS I'VE EVER HEARD. AND OF COURSE, THE TRADEMARK VOICE COPYING THE GUITAR LEAD. THERES SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY HERE, AND OF COURSE, THE HITS.


A Classic and in Wide Screen format to boot!   November 9, 2002
Wade Norton (Vancouver, WA USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I've been a George Benson fan for many years. This is a Great live recording that accounts for many different styles of George Benson's music. He recorded this concert over a period of a few days and the accompanying musicians changed for different styles.

This has some of the newer music as well as some of the old standards you would expect.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the video includes a Wide Screen anamorphic video that is very well done. If you have a nice home theater, this will impress you.