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 The Steel Guitar Forum
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 George Benson and John McLaughlin
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| Author | Topic: George Benson and John McLaughlin |
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Jim Phelps Member From: just out of Mexico City |
posted 11 April 2006 02:28 PM
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I had originally posted this in another thread but then thought it should be in its own. Here's a clip of George Benson and John McLaughlin playing in a tribute to Miles Davis. |
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Kevin Hatton Member From: Amherst, N.Y. |
posted 11 April 2006 04:27 PM
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You see what I mean about Benson. JM does not have his feel or touch. I've seen them both live. I rest my case. [This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 11 April 2006 at 04:28 PM.] |
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Jim Phelps Member From: just out of Mexico City |
posted 11 April 2006 04:38 PM
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What I see, is that you like Benson's style better than McLaughlin's. Nothing wrong with that. What IS wrong, is your "Good thing Benson wasn't there, he'd have SMOKED him!!" drivel. That has to be the most juvenile statement I've seen here in quite some time. Benson and McLaughlin have DIFFERENT STYLES, try and understand the concept. They are both great, they are both different. Benson doesn't choose to play like McLaughlin, vice-versa. Saying any great artist is better or "would smoke" another is ridiculous. [This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 11 April 2006 at 04:55 PM.] |
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Dave Mudgett Member From: Central Pennsylvania, USA |
posted 11 April 2006 04:53 PM
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These two guitarists are from completely different jazz guitar traditions. Benson comes more from the line of people like Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, and Wes Montgomery, while McLaughlin is much closer to the line that emanates from Django Reinhardt. I see no point in making comparisons - it's apples and oranges. This is purely personal preference. They are both great players. This is also not an athletic competition. But if we must get into that realm, realize we're talking about two serious heavyweights here. Of course, I realize these arguments go on all the time in jazz guitar circles. I just don't really see the point. I've seen both of the live also. These guys do it "on the field", as they say in baseball. |
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Kevin Hatton Member From: Amherst, N.Y. |
posted 11 April 2006 05:28 PM
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Jim, as someone pointed out in the other thread, JM can't swing. Thats the fact. Bensen can. Just a personal opinion and observation. JM sure can play fast though. |
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Jim Phelps Member From: just out of Mexico City |
posted 11 April 2006 05:53 PM
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OK Kevin, let's leave it at that.... (except it's spelled "Benson")....  |
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Michael Haselman Member From: St. Paul Park, Minnesota, USA |
posted 11 April 2006 06:19 PM
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I too have seen and admired both greatly. Mr. Hatton: have you ever heard Tony William's Lifetime, either "Emergency" or "Turn it Over"? I believe old Johnny is swinging like a madman, also more recent releases with Joey DeFrancesco. ------------------ |
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Kevin Hatton Member From: Amherst, N.Y. |
posted 11 April 2006 08:25 PM
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Michael, my observation is about the youtube clip. I guess I shouldn't make broad based assumptions based on that clip. [This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 11 April 2006 at 08:26 PM.] |
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Tony Prior Member From: Charlotte NC |
posted 12 April 2006 05:00 AM
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well Kevin, we can all certainly agree that we have opinions..and can share them..but it appears that you stated your opinion is a fact.. -------------------------------------------- JM can't swing. Thats the fact. Bensen can. Just a personal opinion and observation. JM sure can play fast though. ---------------------------------------------- I don't happen to agree. this clip shows two totally different Miles Grooves.. Anyone familiar with MD knows that the 2nd part of the clip ( JM's portion) requires a totally different approach to playing..A totally different player...This is the groove that Miles is probably best know for, mixing harmonic modes and scales..nothing standard here...taking the obvious and transforming it into a groove with unfamiliar characteristics. Addding extra notes to scales...and blending it all together... My favorite player of all time toured with MD, that would be Robben Ford...As I listened to JM on the 2nd portion of this clip I kinda chuckled as I heard Robben as well..and then it dawned on me that Robben is probably one the of the very few Guitar players that can cross the boundaries , like JM..and play in the Miles Groove.. This is what Miles demanded... And I dare state, no way can anyone make a claim that Robben cannot swing...just as the statement being made that JM cannot swing is ludicrous..He is playing the GROOVE....as Miles would demand it be played... JM is playing the song....he is playing like Miles is standing there next to him... He's not just playing fast.. JM's a world recognized amazing talent.. who are we ? ------------------ [This message was edited by Tony Prior on 12 April 2006 at 05:03 AM.] |
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Mark Eaton Member From: Windsor, Sonoma County, CA |
posted 12 April 2006 10:54 AM
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Too bad we couldn't hear the Larry Coryell portion! As for me-I really dug that clip-compared to the Johnny C. thing, where McLauglin displayed his amazing talent, but appeared to be kind've a fish out of water. The clip here is sort of a testimony to the genius of Miles-two very different pieces composed by the same guy. We obviously all have a right to our opinions, but I would surmise that George and John have a tremendous amount of respect for one another, and backstage after the show while they were having a beer-I would find it unlikely that either of them was thinking "I SMOKED that cat!" ------------------ [This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 12 April 2006 at 03:42 PM.] |
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Steve Hitsman Member From: Waterloo, IL |
posted 13 April 2006 11:21 AM
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If you think John can't swing, listen to his Coltrane tribute with Elvin Jones and Joey DeFrancesco, "After the Rain". |
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Drew Howard Member From: Mason, MI, U.S.A. |
posted 13 April 2006 03:04 PM
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John McLaughlin, the original "shredder". Met him a couple times in the 70's, my friend Abe Wechter was building him some guitars. Boy, was I starry eyed upon meeting JM, this was when he had Shakti. Jim, thanks for the link to the clip. Both players appear to have gotten only better with age. Would've loved to have heard the Larry Coryell portion... Drew ------------------ |
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Rick Schmidt Member From: Carlsbad, CA. USA |
posted 14 April 2006 10:16 AM
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Great clip! Thanks! I love 'em both!!!!! |
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Barry Blackwood Member From: elk grove, CA |
posted 14 April 2006 06:54 PM
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I saw Glen Campbell smoke Benson once on "The Midnite Special." Remember that show? |
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Bobby Lee Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA |
posted 14 April 2006 09:49 PM
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I like fusion just a little better than I like bluegrass, which is to say not very much. It's easy to recognize the great talent that goes into both forms. I just don't get any enjoyment listening to them. Watching great musicians is always fun though, even when they're playing things that i can't relate to. |
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Tony Prior Member From: Charlotte NC |
posted 15 April 2006 02:56 AM
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I saw Cheech and Chong smoke a sock once .. in a movie of course.. I like Bluegrass and Fusion.. Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry... ------------------ |
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Jim Phelps Member From: just out of Mexico City |
posted 15 April 2006 06:40 PM
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quote: Funny you should mention that. I didn't know who was going to be on that night and had to play a gig, so I had my sister tape it (audio, no VCRs then). Next day I asked her how the show was, she told me Campbell and Benson were on the same show. I respected Campbell for his country/rock playing, hadn't heard him play jazzy stuff, I was young and stupid so I immediately thought, "yikes, Benson must have made him look like a fool". Boy was I wrong about that. They played a song together, Benson first with his well-known octave playing, then Campbell came in and my mouth fell open and I said "WHO'S THAT???" My sister said "that's Glen Campbell". I couldn't believe it. That guy can play the heck out of jazz/fusion/whateveryouwannacallit when he has the chance. Taking nothing away from George Benson either, but Campbell was quite a surprise. [This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 15 April 2006 at 06:47 PM.] |
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Tony Prior Member From: Charlotte NC |
posted 16 April 2006 02:47 AM
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I also think if Glen had put a Tele' in his hands we would have yet another world reknown Tele' dude... remarkable talent...Instrument and vocalist... I remember a show, maybe a Johnny Cash show....He had Neil Young, Eric Clapton and Glen as guests on the same show... They all looked exactly the same.. [This message was edited by Tony Prior on 16 April 2006 at 02:48 AM.] |
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Steve Hinson Member From: Hendersonville Tn USA |
posted 16 April 2006 06:11 AM
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Glen Campbell did MANY master sessions as a guitar player AND a vocalist on demos in the early'60's...in addition to playing bass on Beach Boys tours... ------------------ |
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John McGann Member From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
posted 16 April 2006 06:40 AM
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Glen Campbell-my favorite Scotch!  |
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David Mason Member From: Cambridge, MD, USA |
posted 16 April 2006 06:52 AM
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I saw Glen Campbell on TV not too long ago (2004)? He had a beat-up old Strat, he played "Phoenix" or one of those type songs but at the end he launched off into some seriously fine soloing for several minutes. I'm not sure if the producers weren't expecting it, or were reluctant to pull the plug on a legend or something, but it was more, better guitar soloing than I'd seen on TV in years. I also have an early memory of him playing "The Lone Ranger Song" on Carson that impressed the heck out of me - I always thought the Beatles were kind of poofty, you know.... |
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Bob Smith Member From: Allentown, New Jersey, USA |
posted 16 April 2006 07:12 AM
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I recntly saw Glenn playing, for someone thats probably 70 yrs old, he still plays with the fire and enthusiasm of a 25 yr old kid. He is a great example to look up to for all of us aging guitar players. He has always inspired me,and probably thousands of other players. bob |
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Bobby Lee Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA |
posted 16 April 2006 11:00 AM
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quote:"poofty"? What's that? Did you mean poofy? I sure hope not!  I wonder if Glen Campbell vs. Roy Clark would be more entertaining than Benson vs. McLaughlin. My own taste in guitarists runs to country, blues and classical. Chet Atkins covered it all pretty well, IMHO, and didn't have to show off to put on a great show. ------------------ |
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Kevin Hatton Member From: Amherst, N.Y. |
posted 16 April 2006 01:02 PM
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Cambell's got alot of taste. He can also be a one man entertainer. The sign of a great. Very technicly proficient also. You feel good when he sings and plays. He can touch your heart. [This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 23 April 2006 at 10:10 PM.] |
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Mike Neer Member From: NJ |
posted 21 April 2006 07:58 AM
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Most musicians are not great at every aspect of playing. George Benson is great at what he does, and McLaughlin at what he does. George is purely out of the Wes/soul/Philly/organ trio tradition. Some say he can also play some other stuff really well, too. I particularly like JMLs playing on his record "Johnny McLaughlin: Electric Guitarist" and Carla Bley's "Escalator Over the Hill", but I've also seen him get slaughtered when he's out of his element. It's nothing to really be ashamed of--most of us are human. If you can manage to find greatness in a particular place in your playing, by all means exploit it. I give major respect to guys like The Edge (U2)who, while not conventionally a great guitarist, has managed to develop a unique style and sound. Also, composers of great music are bumped up way higher on the respect list for me. |
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Henry Nagle Member From: Santa Rosa, California |
posted 21 April 2006 09:43 AM
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"Chet Atkins covered it all pretty well, IMHO, and didn't have to show off to put on a great show" He sure was great. I always kind of figured that he took Merle Travis' style to another level or two. Not that he was a one trick player by any stretch. I just hear that lineage. Is there a younger player that has taken that style anywhere new? Sorry to change the subject a little. edited to add: I've always really loved the baritone solo in Wichita Lineman. [This message was edited by Henry Nagle on 21 April 2006 at 09:45 AM.] |
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Darryl Hattenhauer Member From: Phoenix, Arizona, USA |
posted 23 April 2006 10:08 PM
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Campbell was strongly influenced by Tal Farlow. Also, when he was young he heard Bob and Billy jack Wills, and soon he could play even the most difficult passages. Decades later, he met Tiny Moore and showed Tiny he could play all of Tiny's 5-string mando stuff on guitar note for note. And let's not forget his 6-string banjo stuff with the Kingstons. Hardly anybody had played that instrument in decades, and Deering started making them after being inspired by Glen ------------------ |
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