On Broadway
George Benson, 1978, from Weekend in L.A.. Solo by George Benson.
A live hit from Weekend in L.A., where Benson scats along with his guitar in unison.
On Broadway, recorded live for Weekend in L.A., shows George Benson doing the thing he became famous for: scatting along with his own guitar lines in unison. He plays with a warm, clean jazz tone, spinning out fluent bebop-flavoured phrases while his voice shadows every note. The trick sounds effortless, but it requires both precise technique and a strong melodic imagination, because every line has to be singable. The track became a hit and brought jazz guitar to a pop audience in a way few records managed. Listen for the tiny moments when voice and guitar split apart, then slide back into perfect alignment.
On Broadway by George Benson is featured in our Funk & Soul (#20) list. The solo is played by George Benson and the song was released in 1978.
In our lists
- The 25 Greatest Funk and Soul Guitar Solos — #20
- Greatest Live Solos — #18
- The Best George Benson Guitar Solos — #7
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on On Broadway?
George Benson played the solo on George Benson's On Broadway (1978).