Guitarist and singer George Benson breathes new life into a long-lost album with the 2024 release of *Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon*. Initially recorded in 1989, these sessions took place during a busy, transitional period for Benson, following his chart-topping success in the ’70s and early ’80s, where he navigated between groove-based funk and synthy, quiet-storm balladry. Collaborating with legendary film and mood music composer/producer Robert Farnon, Benson revisits the jazz, standards, and traditional pop style of his early career.
For reasons unknown, Benson delayed releasing and eventually lost the album, possibly opting to highlight 1989’s *Tenderly*, which saw him working with arranger Marty Paich and jazz greats McCoy Tyner and Ron Carter. In many ways, *Dreams Do Come True* serves as a companion to *Tenderly*, featuring a mix of American Popular Songbook classics and newer pop hits like Lennon and McCartney’s “Yesterday” and Leon Russell’s “A Song for You.” In revisiting *Dreams Do Come True*, Benson collaborated with composer/arranger Randy Waldman to add overdubs and choral arrangements, putting the final touches on the original recordings. The result is an album rich with lush jazz and traditional pop, showcasing Benson’s bright vocals framed by warm orchestral strings, piano, and harp. Tracks like “Pretend,” “My Romance,” and “Autumn Leaves” highlight his enduring admiration for Nat King Cole. By focusing on jazz standards, Benson also emphasizes the harmonic richness and swing of his jazz phrasing. Had it been released in 1989, *Dreams Do Come True* would have anticipated the popularity of similar standards albums by artists like Natalie Cole, Rod Stewart, and Tony Bennett. Even though it arrives decades later, the album beautifully blends Benson’s contemporary style with timeless jazz and pop charm.
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