Givin' It Up finds crossover jazz icons guitarist George Benson and
vocalist Al Jarreau teaming up for a breezy, enjoyably melodic session
that highlights both artists' long careers. Technically a duo album, it
is Benson's first since signing with Concord Records. As such, it works
as a nice reintroduction to both artists and even finds them reworking
the Bobby Womack classic "Breezin'," which Benson originally covered on
his 1976 album of the same name. Here listeners get Jarreau adding
lyrics and vocals on a version that really evokes the classic '70s
jazz-meets-R&B sound that was an original hallmark of smooth jazz.
In that sense, Givin' It Up is a true joy for fans of that more organic,
song-oriented approach to crossover music, with Benson and Jarreau
digging in to such great songs as Seals & Crofts' "Summer Breeze,"
John Legend's "Ordinary People," and Darryl Hall's "Every Time You Go
Away." Also adding some unexpected fun and celebrity sheen to the
proceedings is an impromptu appearance by Paul McCartney, who joins in
on Sam Cooke's gospel-inflected "Bring It on Home to Me." Throw in
appearances by trumpeter Chris Botti, vocalist Patti Austin, pianist
Herbie Hancock, and bassist Marcus Miller and Stanley Clarke, and Givin'
It Up proves music is always fun with a little help from your friends.
Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1 – Breezin' 5:40
Arranged By – Larry Williams
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Electric Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Guitar – Dean Parks, George Benson, A. Ray "The Weeper" Fuller
Keyboards – Larry Williams
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Vocal Percussion – Al Jarreau
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Bobby Womack
2 – Mornin' 5:02
Arranged By – Michael Broening
Backing Vocals, Vocal Percussion – Al Jarreau
Bass – Mel Brown
Drums – Michael White
Guitar – Freddie Fox, George Benson
Keyboards, Piano, Programmed By [Programming] – Michael Broening
Producer – John Burk, Michael Broening
Saxophone – Marion Meadows
Written-By – Al Jarreau, David Foster, Jay Graydon
3 – 'Long Come Tutu 6:37
Arranged By – Marcus Miller
Bass – Marcus Miller
Co-producer – Marcus Miller
Drums – Michael White
Guitar – George Benson
Keyboards – Patrice Rushen
Piano – Herbie Hancock
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Marcus Miller
4 – God Bless The Child 3:40
Featuring Jill Scott
Arranged By – George Benson, John Burk, Patrice Rushen
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Electric Piano – Patrice Rushen
Guitar – George Benson
Vocal Percussion – Al Jarreau
Vocals – George Benson, Jill Scott
Written-By – Arthur Herzog, Jr., Billie Holiday
5 – Summer Breeze 5:01
Arranged By – Larry Williams
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Dean Parks, George Benson, A. Ray "The Weeper" Fuller
Keyboards, Piano – Larry Williams
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Darrell Crofts, Jimmy Seals
6 – All I Am 3:23
Arranged By – Rex Rideout
Drums – Gregg Field, Ricky Lawson
Electric Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Electric Piano – Patrice Rushen
Guitar, Vocals – George Benson
Piano – Rex Rideout
Written-By – Phillip "Taj" Jackson, Rex Rideout
7 – Ordinary People 5:18
Arranged By – Michael Broening
Backing Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Bass – Mel Brown
Drums – Michael White
Guitar – Freddie Fox, George Benson
Keyboards, Piano, Programmed By [Programming] – Michael Broening
Producer – John Burk, Michael Broening
Written-By – John Legend, will.i.am
8 – Let It Rain 4:54
Featuring Patti Austin
Arranged By – Al Jarreau, Barry Eastmond
Arranged By [Background Vocals] – Patti Austin
Backing Vocals – Darlene Perry, Lorraine Perry, Maxi Anderson, Patti
Austin, Sandra Simmons Williams, Sharon Perry, Valerie Pinkston
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Electric Piano – Patrice Rushen
Guitar – George Benson
Keyboards – Barry Eastmond
Percussion – Bashiri Johnson, Paulinho Da Costa
Producer – Patti Austin
Producer [Additional Production] – Barry Eastmond, Gregg Field
Rhythm Guitar – Dean Parks
Trumpet – Chris Botti
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Patti Austin
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Barry Eastmond
9 – Givin' It Up For Love 3:57
Arranged By – Freddie Ravel
Arranged By [Background Vocals] – Fred Martin, Freddie Ravel
Backing Vocals – Alethea Mills, Chavonne Morris, De'Ante Duckett
Clavinet, Drums, Electric Piano, Organ, Programmed By [Percussion], Synthesizer [Moog Bass], Synthesizer – Freddie Ravel
Guitar – George Benson
Producer – Freddie Ravel, John Burk
Rhythm Guitar – Michael O'Neill
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Freddie Ravel
10 – Every Time You Go Away 4:30
Arranged By – Larry Williams
Bass – Marcus Miller
Co-producer – Larry Williams
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Dean Parks, George Benson, Michael Thompson
Keyboards – Patrice Rushen
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Piano – Larry Williams
Vocal Percussion – Al Jarreau
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Darryl Hall
11 – Four 5:15
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Co-producer – Chris Dunn
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – George Benson
Piano – Patrice Rushen
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Jon Hendricks, Miles Davis
12 – Don't Start No Schtuff 4:44
Arranged By – Joe Turano
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Electric Piano, Organ – Joe Turano
Guitar – George Benson
Keyboards – Patrice Rushen
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Joe Turano
13 – Bring It On Home To Me 4:25
Featuring Paul McCartney
Arranged By – Randy Waldman
Arranged By [Background Vocals] – Fred Martin
Backing Vocals – Alethea Mills, Chavonne Morris, De'Ante Duckett
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Electric Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Electric Piano – Patrice Rushen
Guitar – Dean Parks, George Benson
Organ – Michael Broening
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Piano – Randy Waldman
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson, Paul McCartney
Written-By – Sam Cooke
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