George Benson’s Orchestral Album ‘Dreams Do Come True’ Is Out Now
George Benson has released a long-lost orchestral album today, his first since returning to Warner Music Group earlier this year. Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon is available now from Rhino on CD and LP, as well as digital and streaming platforms.
In 1989, Benson collaborated with celebrated composer-arranger Robert Farnon and his orchestra to create Dreams Do Come True. Farnon’s lush arrangements perfectly complement Benson’s soulful vocals and fluid guitar work on American Standards like Autumn Leaves, At Last, and My Romance. The spellbinding collection also features reimagined pop classics like the Beatles’ Yesterday and Leon Russell’s A Song For You. In 1976, Benson’s version of Russell’s This Masquerade became his first major hit and won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
Benson recorded Dreams Do Come True during a prolific period and chose to delay the album’s release. In the meantime, the recordings went missing and remained lost until recently, when they were rediscovered in Benson’s archive. Now, after 35 years, the album will finally receive its proper release.
George Benson stated, “After finding this long-lost treasure of music, I employed my genius friend, Randy Waldman, to help me bring it back to life. Mission accomplished.”
The original recording sessions for Dreams Do Come True were impeccably captured by Grammy Award-winning engineer Al Schmidt, who manned the recording console for some of Benson’s most successful albums. All 11 tracks have been newly remastered for this release. Benson partnered with Grammy-award-winning pianist, composer, and arranger Randy Waldman as his co-producer, adding in overdubs and expressive choral arrangements throughout the reimagined record.
This album marks the latest chapter in Benson’s illustrious career as a giant in both jazz and contemporary music. During his tenure with Warner Records from 1976 to 1993, Benson released 12 studio albums, including Breezin’. This groundbreaking record not only topped the pop, R&B, and jazz charts but also earned Benson three of his 10 Grammy Awards. Certified triple platinum, Breezin’ remains one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. In 2009, the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) recognized Benson as a Jazz Master, the nation’s highest honor for jazz artists.
Benson recently discussed Dreams To Come True on the Questlove Supreme Podcast (listen HERE). Today at 1:00PM PT, he’ll join KJZZ host Blaise Lantana for a live interview about the collection. The interview will be live on KJZZ HD2, online at jazzphx.org and also on the KJZZ mobile app (JazzPHX).
A consummate performer, Benson remains a must-see live artist. He will be performing at the Blue Note Napa on August 16 and at the Hollywood Bowl on August 18. Benson also announced a 4-day series of concerts, workshops and storytelling January 3-6, 2024 in Phoenix, AZ. The event is called “Breezin’ With The Stars” and will feature a star-studded lineup of musicians including Cory Wong, Esperanza Spaulding, Tommy Emmanuel, Patti Austin and more to be announced.
Buy Dreams Do Come True here.