Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards

George Benson - The Other Side Of Abbey Road
A&M - October 22, 1969

1. Golden Slumbers/You Never Give Me Your Money
2. Because/Come Together
3. Oh! Darling
4. Here Comes the Sun/I Want You (She's So Heavy)
5. Something/Octopus's Garden/The End

Originally released on LP

"They(The Beatles)had just come out with it and I was in Creed Taylor's office and we were trying to come up with ideas for the next project and he pulled the album out and said, "Do you know this album?" I told him no, in other words, I don't listen to nothing by The Beatles except maybe "Yesterday." That was the only Beatles song that ever appealed to me. Creed asked me to take it home to see if there was anything on it that I might like. I did take it home and listened to it and thought everything on here sounds good. In other words pick one and we'll do it and he said, "Good, we'll do the whole thing." (laughing) I said "What?" I couldn't believe he was talking about reproducing all of it but that's how we got it to that stage." - George Benson

Album Credits :
Raoul Poliakin Violin
Max Pollikoff Violin
George Ricci Cello
John Snyder Digital Producer
Creed Taylor Producer
Jerry Jemmott Bass
Emanuel Vardi Cello, Viola
Andy Gonzales Percussion
Sam Antupit Design
Eric Meola Photography, Cover Photo
Mel Davis Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Wayne Andre Euphonium, Trombone
Don Ashworth Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Baritone), Reeds (Multiple)
Don Sebesky Arranger
Rudy Van Gelder Engineer
Bernie Glow Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Andy Gonzalez Percussion
Guildhall String Ensemble Strings
Ernie Hayes Harpsichord, Organ, Piano
Freddie Hubbard Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Idris Muhammad Drums
Ray Barretto Drums, Percussion
George Benson Vocals, Main Performer, ?, Guitar
Phil Bodner Oboe, Reeds (Multiple), Flute
Ron Carter Bass
Sonny Fortune Saxophone, Sax (Alto)
Herbie Hancock Harpsichord, Organ, Piano
Bob James Harpsichord, Organ, Piano
Hubert Laws Reeds (Multiple), Flute
Jerome Richardson Saxophone, Sax (Tenor), Clarinet, Flute
Ed Shaughnessy Drums
Marvin Stamm Flugelhorn, Trumpet

"Not being a child of the sixties I discovered the Beatles on the second wave in the early seventies. Interestingly, George Benson introduced me to "Abbey Road" not the Beatles. "The other Side of Abbey Road" was released just three weeks after the album it pays tribute to. Every time I hear Benson sing "Golden Slumbers" he makes me cry. Like Joni Mitchell (who by the way also makes me lunge for the hankies) Benson has the ability to dig a lot deeper on the emotions that really matter. We simply believe him when he sings - now that say's a lot about a musician. It's a rare gift and don't get me started on his guitar chops! I still prefer his bluesy version of "Oh! Darling" over the Beatles. Arranger Don Sebesky and CTI founder and producer Creed Taylor deserve a lot of credit but Benson is the reason that this album is and always will be one of the best in my collection." - John Beaudin - President - Smooth Jazz Now

"I have very fond memories of the times at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in New Jersey where all the early CTI records were made back in the 70's. George was very often a part of the closely knit group of musicians that Creed Taylor championed, and I was able to watch as his star began to rise. It was obvious even in those days that he would have a very special career." - Bob James

"I was a Benson fan long before the summer of '76. My first exposure to George Benson was from a high school buddy who owned 1969's "The Other Side of Abbey Road". George's sound just had that incredibly liquid feeling, the perfect combination of an agile creativity, a technical proficiency that blended with a singer's sense of phrasing, and a classic tone. He was cool." - Rik Emmett

"George was a big inspiration to me as I was learning to play guitar and while I was the lead guitar player in the Jefferson Starship. He is still inspiring me in my own solo career. Before I had ever sold one single record I would listen to George's guitar playing in my bedroom. As a teenager I would play along with his music and try and follow his style of rhythmic and soulful phrasing. I loved the way he would sing the same melodies and riffs he was playing on the guitar and I began to try and master that same technique in my bedroom. My parents were probably cringing in the living room at first! I actually did a few concerts with George Benson and my own band on the same bill. I got to hang out backstage with him and as much as I wanted to tell him all these stories all I could do was smile and enjoy his playing and singing. I have to add he seems like a really nice guy" - Craig Chaquico