RIYL: Anything that’s smooth jazz

When you have ten Grammys, it can’t be easy to keep making award-winning music, but George Benson may do just that with his latest, Songs and Stories. Admitting that he keeps things fresh by focusing on the basics, a.k.a., songs and the stories that make up those songs, Benson dug into the material of some of his favorite songwriters, including James Taylor, Smokey Robinson, Bill Withers and Donnie Hathaway – and even had some other tracks specifically written for this project. Then what Benson brings to the table is what he does best: play the guitar like a tasty madman and deliver soulful and pitch-perfect vocals. Some of the highlights are the Al Jarreau-ish “Show Me the Love” which was written by project producer Marcus Miller as well as Toto’s David Lukather and David Paich; the bluesy “Come In from the Cold,” written by Marc Broussard, Radney Foster and Justin Tocket; and a take on Christopher Cross’ “Sailing” that will remind you of Benson’s “Breezin’” days. And of course Benson does a terrific job on the opening track, James Taylor’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” which sounds like it could and should be a ubiquitous smooth jazz staple. George doesn’t ever disappoint, and he surely doesn’t here. (Concord 2009)

George Benson website

It’s not like we haven’t seen our share of soulful, blues-influenced rockers in recent years – guys like Marc Broussard and Jonny Lang come to mind immediately. Well, you can add 20-year-old Texan Johnny Cooper to that list. Cooper is back with his sophomore effort, Follow, which follows his 2007 debut Ignition. The kid can sing, he can play, and he can write catchy tunes – all with the attitude that usually comes with years of seasoning. Call him an old soul, but whatever it is, it’s still unique to have this much talent at this tender of an age. Follow is oddly classified as a country release, but if it is, it’s more of the old-school Americana country and not the pop/schlock that rules country radio. Cooper is more a rocker that happens to be from Texas, and he’s already built up a nice following in his home state with a compelling vocal ability and guitar skills that defy chronology. Some of the tracks do wear thin quickly, but most of them will have you hitting repeat – especially the southern-fried opener, “Don’t Feel Like That Anymore,” the ‘60s pop-inspired “Blue,” and the positively funked up “Yes My Love.” Keep an eye and an ear on this kid – if he is this talented at 20, who knows what more living and learning will do for him, and for all of us who hear and see Cooper. (Tenacity Records 2009)

Johnny Cooper MySpace Page