Goodies
George Benson · 1968
38 min · 9 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of jazz, funk, and R&B showcasing Benson's virtuosic guitar intertwined with soulful vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Remember Wes Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman — Benson transforms this classic into a soulful tribute that highlights both his vocal sensitivity and guitar prowess, making it a standout on the album.
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Song For My Father — This track showcases Benson's ability to blend intricate guitar melodies with emotive phrasing, reflecting his deep respect for jazz traditions.
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People Get Ready — His rendition brings a fresh perspective to this spiritual anthem, highlighting both social themes and musical versatility through Benson's innovative arrangements.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Benson's blend of jazz and funk creates a vibrant sound, though the cohesion suffers slightly from varied styles across tracks.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a guitar-led instrumental that features complex chord progressions and rhythmic variations, setting a sophisticated tone.
- Each track showcases Benson's guitar work prominently, often blending it seamlessly with soulful vocal performances.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo grooves
- soulful melodies for relaxation
- vibrant background for gatherings
- intricate guitar detail appreciation
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of fast-paced tracks
- prefer single standout hits
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid entry that showcases Benson's evolving sound without being widely recognized.
- Themes
- civil rights anthems· soulful guitar mastery· 1960s musical transition
- Career context
- Released in 1968, Goodies was George Benson's third studio album, following his breakthrough record, The New Boss Guitar. At this point in his career, Benson was establishing himself as a formidable talent in both the jazz and pop realms, blending genres in a way that would define his future work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Al Jarreau· Lee Ritenour· Pat Metheny
Tracklist
- 1 I Remember Wes Start here 3:50
- 2 Carnival Joys 3:50
- 3 You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman 4:40
- 4 That Lucky Old Sun 3:37
- 5 Julie 3:10
- 6 Windmills Of Your Mind 5:00
- 7 Doobie, Doobie Blues 5:10
- 8 Song For My Father 4:45
- 9 People Get Ready 4:10
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
Shares soulful melodies and social consciousness, blending jazz with pop and R&B elements.
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Combines funk rhythms and intricate musicianship, reflecting the era's musical evolution.
Let's Stay Together
Al Green
Merges smooth soul with rich instrumentation and heartfelt themes, echoing Benson's soulful essence.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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