Benny…

Description

Benny… is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Benny Hester, released on VMI Records (Vegas Music International) in 1972. The album was produced recorded, and mixed by Brent Maher at United Recording Studios in Las Vegas, Nevada. Featuring Elvis Presley’s band; Glen Hardin on piano, James Burton on guitar, Jerry Scheff on bass, and Ron Tutt on drums, plus Joe Osborn and Larry Muhoberac who also arranged the orchestra.

The recording was finished, the album was pressed; plans were made for the release of Hester’s debut. Though one morning, Hester got news that a fire had destroyed the masters and existing vinyl. Thus the album was never released to the general market or radio. Thankfully, some promotional copies survived. 44 years later, the original record was transferred from vinyl and remastered and the album was finally officially released on February 19, 2016, by Moraine Music Group.

I know just what you’re thinking – Benny Hester, that’s that high-voiced adult contemporary guy on Christian radio, right? Not being an AC fan I’d passed on this album numerous times til I saw it described in an ad as “folk/psych”. C’mon now – Benny Hester? Well, I’m not sure I’d go so far as to utter “folk/psych”, but Benny’s debut release does succeed in capturing a dreamy mood with his melodic brand of orchestrated acoustic rock enhanced by flutes and assorted reed instruments. Not fluff by any means. Does have electric moments and an almost mystical feel perfectly suited to Benny’s Supertrampish vocals. On mainstream label in attractive gatefold cover. His hair’s real long, too. [Ken Scott, The Archivist]

In 1972, 23-year-old Benny Hester had his dreams of music stardom wrecked when a fire destroyed the masters and every printed copy of his debut album Benny…, which was supposed to introduce him to the world. Hester moved on, however, and later found success as part of the exploding CCM industry, becoming widely-known for unpasteurized 80s cheese like «When God Ran». Now Benny…, rescued and finally given a proper release almost 45 years later, provides a glimpse down a road-not-taken for Hester. Elvis’ famous “TCB” or “Taking Care (of) Business” band plays backup here, fleshing out the youngster’s baroque pop ditties and psych-inflected ballads that channel other post-Beatles rockers of the era, from Elton John to Neil Young. More than just a curio or an artifact, it’s a solid record in it’s own right, and the ellipsis that trails off in the title feels quite appropriate – like this version of Hester was cut off when he had much more to say. [SpiritYouAllMusic, 2017]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/benny/1075534705)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Give Your Love Forever” – 2:28
A2. “No The End Is Not Near” – 3:12
A3. “Love Never Dies” – 2:34
A4. “The Bridge” – 2:25
A5. “We All Know He’s Comin'” – 4:46

Side Two
B1. “The Painter” – 3:42
B2. “Malcombe” – 1:59
B3. “What’s Happened To My Friends” – 2:13
B4. “Please Let This Be So” – 3:07
B5. “Genevieve” – 2:07

Note: The label released a couple of 7-inch vinyl singles, one featuring “We All Know He’s Comin'”, b/w “Love Never Dies” (VMI00572, 1972), and the other featuring “The Painter”, b/w “Malcombe” (VMI.573, 1972). Re-issued on CD by Moraine Music Group in 2016 using Benny Hester’s own promotional copy of the vinyl, digitally remastered.

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Gatefold Cover Artwork

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CREDITS. Produced and Engineered by Brent Maher. Orchestra Arranged by Larry Muhoberac. Rhythm Tracks Arranged by Ron Tutt. Written by Benny Hester, except track B2 co-written by Benny Hester and Jim Stanton. Art Direction and Album Design by Cheryl Meyer. Photography by Dick Burnell.

Musicians: Benny Hester (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Glen Hardin (Piano), Quitman Dennis (Flute), Jim Horn (Assorted Reed Instruments), Larry Muhoberac (All other Keyboard Instruments – Piano, Keyboards), James Burton (Guitar), Bubba Poythress (Electric Guitar), Jerry Scheff (Bass), Joe Osborn (Bass), Ron Tutt (Drums, Percussion).