Givin' It Up

by George Benson, Al Jarreau

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	10/24/2006
Label:	Concord
UPC:	0888072231627

Tracks

1. Breezin'
2. Mornin'
3. 'Long Come Tutu
4. God Bless the Child
5. Summer Breeze
6. All I Am
7. Ordinary People
8. Let It Rain
9. Givin' It Up for Love
10. Every Time You Go Away
11. Four
12. Don't Start No Schtuff
13. Bring It on Home to Me

Album Credits

Performance Credits

George Benson   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Al Jarreau   Primary Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Patti Austin   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Jill Scott   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Paul McCartney   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Michael White   Drums,Drums
Marcus Miller   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Stanley Clarke   Guitar (Bass),Guest Artist,Bass
Patrice Rushen   Guest Artist,Fender Rhodes,Piano (Electric),Piano,Keyboards
Chris Botti   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Herbie Hancock   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Piano
Barry J. Eastmond   Keyboards
Freddie Ravel   Drums,Moog Bass,Percussion,Organ,Clavinet,Synthesizer,Fender Rhodes
Paulinho Da Costa   Percussion
Bashiri Johnson   Percussion
Gregg Field   Drums
Sandra Simmons Williams   Vocals (Background)
De'Ante Duckett   Vocals (Background)
Dean Parks   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Valerie Pinkston   Vocals (Background)
Marion Meadows   Saxophone
Ricky Lawson   Drums
Maxi Anderson   Vocals (Background)
Randy Waldman   Piano
Rex Rideout   Piano
Darlene Perry   Vocals (Background)
Sharon Perry   Vocals (Background)
Abraham Laboriel, Sr.   Bass (Electric)
Alethea Mills   Vocals (Background)
Chavonne Morris   Vocals (Background)
Freddie Fox   Guitar
Vinnie Colaiuta   Drums
Barry Eastmond   Keyboards
Mel Brown   Bass
Michael O'Neill   Guitar (Rhythm)
A. Ray Fuller   Guitar
Joe Turano   Wurlitzer,Organ (Hammond),Piano (Electric)
Michael Broening   Organ,Piano,Keyboards
Michael Hart Thompson   Guitar
Lorraine Perry   Vocals (Background)
Larry E. Williams   Piano,Keyboards

Technical Credits

John Burk   Audio Production,Arranger,Producer
Steve Genewick   Mixing Assistant
Kevin Lee   Executive Producer
Barry J. Eastmond   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Seth Presant   Editing,Arranger,Engineer,Digital Editing
Patti Austin   Vocal Producer,Vocal Arrangement
Bobby Womack   Composer
Billie Holiday   Composer
Kevin Becka   Engineer
Arthur Herzog, Jr.   Composer
Chris Dunn   A&R,Producer
Gregg Field   Producer
John Wroble   Engineer
Doug Sax   Mastering
George Benson   Arranger
Kevin Lee "The Little Monster"   Executive Producer
Myron Chandler   Arranger,Engineer
Carlos "Storm" Martinez   Engineer
Phillip "Taj" Jackson   Composer
Terence Thomas   Guitar Technician
Abbey Anna   Art Direction
Philip Jackson   Composer
Andrew Pham   Art Direction,Package Design
Jeff Harris   Engineer
Jon Hendricks   Composer
Jay Graydon   Composer
Charlie Paakkari   Engineer,Arranger
Bill Airey Smith   Editing,Arranger,Engineer,Digital Editing
Sam Cooke   Composer
Randy Waldman   Arranger
Miles Davis   Composer
Rex Rideout   Arranger,Composer
Philip Brossard Jr.   Assistant Engineer
Alex Pavlides   Digital Editing
Al Jarreau   Arranger,Composer,Vocal Percussion
Gerald McCauley   A&R
Sangwook "Sunny" Nam   Mastering
Glen Barros   Executive Producer
Marcus Miller   Arranger,Composer,Producer
will.i.am   Composer
German Villacorta   Digital Editing
Patrice Rushen   Arranger
Travis Robertson   Guitar Technician,Assistant Engineer
Riku Campo   Grooming
Riku Camp   Grooming
Barry Eastmond   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Noel Lee   Executive Producer
Freddie Ravel   Arranger,Composer,Programming,Vocal Arrangement
Don Murray   Engineer
Jim Seals   Composer
John Legend   Composer
David Foster   Composer
Keith Gretlein   Assistant Engineer
Al Schmitt   Mixing
Dash Crofts   Composer
Daryl Hall   Composer
Paul "Scooby" Smith   Assistant Engineer
Joe Turano   Arranger,Composer
Michael Broening   Arranger,Engineer,Producer,Programming
Mary Hogan   A&R
Larry Melero   Guitar Technician
Randee Saint Nicholas   Photography
Randee St. Nicholas   Photography
Heidi Meek   Stylist
Fred Martin & the Levite Camp   Vocal Arrangement
Larry E. Williams   Arranger,Producer