Play it Again, Sam #3b - "White Rabbit"
@teamfreak16 (43419)
Denver, Colorado
October 9, 2018 10:34pm CST
It's a cold night here in Denver, with snow in the forecast. Time to warm up with the "cover" portion of today's Play it Again, Sam (#3:) George Benson's cover of the Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit."
As a jazz lover, this one is an exercise in self indulgence, as it's one my favorites.
Although George Benson made a bit of a splash on the pop charts in the 1980's, the man is a jazz guitarist's jazz guitarist. If you need proof, look no further than his cover of "White Rabbit," the title track of his 1972 album.
Benson assembled a top shelf band for the album, including jazz stalwarts such as keyboardist Herbie Hancock (who absolutely shines on the tune,) bassist Ron Carter (both of whom had been playing with Miles Davis prior to this,) drummer Billy Cobham, and percussionist Airto Moreira.
"White Rabbit" is a splendid effort from George Benson, with hints of the direction that would lead to his classic 1976 album, Breezin'.
(Info verified by Wikipedia)
Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment White Rabbit · George Benson / ???? Jazz Moods - Hot ? Originally released 1971. All rights reserved Columbia...
11 people like this
8 responses
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Oct 18
This was a pretty big hit for him, a cover of "On Broadway," from his album, Weekend in L.A., which was a really good live album.
It gives me great pleasure to create a clip and post the wondrously talented George Benson's version of the Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil and Leiber & Stoller clas...
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62531)
• United States
10 Oct 18
Benson did the original version of “The Greatest Love of All.”
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326354)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Oct 18
@FourWalls Maybe that's what I'm thinking of. Thanks.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Oct 18
Snow in the forecast for today, too. This is early, even for us.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Oct 18
@Courage7 - Oh, I'm sure it will. It always seems to work that way.
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
10 Oct 18
@teamfreak16 Yes it sure is. I am moving too at the end of the month, hope it aint snowin
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
10 Oct 18
not heard this version, very good. I always loved the Grace Slick / Jefferson Airplane version
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Oct 18
I always liked what he did with it. The Damned did a pretty cool cover of it, too.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
11 Oct 18
@teamfreak16 cool, I'll look out for that one too
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
14 Oct 18
Oh nice! I love the original song. This one is clearly a cover but is made unique , into it's own thing rather than a copy. Nice choice. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
16 Oct 18
If you are going to do a cover, better to put your own spin on it, as far as I'm concerned.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
16 Oct 18
@teamfreak16 I think so, make it into something new
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@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
13 Oct 18
@CarolDM - It's heyday was in the 90's/early 2000's. Basically, a bunch of young, jazz-loving musicians that modernized it by incorporating other elements into it. I first heard it when I was stationed in Germany, but England, France, New York, and San Francisco all had big scenes. Even Miles Davis's final studio album, Doo Bop, was an acid jazz album. This pretty song is just one good example.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
13 Oct 18
I love jazz. Unfortunately, appreciation for it seems to be dwindling. Check out some acid jazz sometime. I would be more than happy to recommend some if you are unfamiliar with it.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
13 Oct 18
@teamfreak16 Never even heard of acid jazz.
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@FourWalls (62531)
• United States
10 Oct 18
That is superb. Such a 180 from the original, and so perfectly Benson.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Oct 18
I don't know what to think. He made it a completely different song.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Oct 18
Those are the best covers, as far as I am concerned.
1 person likes this
