Givin' It Up

10/24/2006 | Concord Records 

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All Music Guide Review

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, All Music Guide

Track Listing

  • Track#
  • Title
  • time
  • 1
  • Breezin'
  • 5:40

  • 2
  • Mornin'
  • 5:03

  • 3
  • 'Long Come Tutu
  • 6:38

  • 4
  • God Bless the Child
  • 3:42

  • 5
  • Summer Breeze
  • 5:03

  • 6
  • All I Am
  • 3:24

  • 7
  • Ordinary People
  • 5:19

  • 8
  • Let It Rain
  • 4:55

  • 9
  • Givin' It Up for Love
  • 3:58

  • 10
  • Every Time You Go Away
  • 4:31

  • 11
  • Four
  • 5:15

  • 12
  • Don't Start No Schtuff
  • 4:45

  • 13
  • Bring It on Home to Me
  • 4:24

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    Credits

    • Joe Turano
    • Arranger, Piano (Electric), Wurlitzer, Organ (Hammond)
    • Mike Broening
    • Organ, Engineer, Arranger, Keyboards, Programming, Producer, Piano
    • Al Jarreau
    • Arranger, Vocals (Background), Vocal Percussion, Vocals
    • Patti Austin
    • Vocals, Vocal Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background)
    • Patrice Rushen
    • Piano, Arranger, Fender Rhodes, Piano (Electric), Keyboards
    • Freddie Ravel
    • Organ, Drums, Arranger, Clavinet, Vocal Arrangement, Moog Bass, Fender Rhodes, Programming, Synthesizer, Percussion

    Notes

    This much-anticipated 13-track recording features each of the stars on a new arrangement of one of the other’s biggest hits – Jarreau adding lyrics to and singing Benson’s signature instrumental smash “Breezin’,” while the legendary jazz guitarist delivers a lovely instrumental version of the singer’s eternally charming hit “Mornin’.” Givin’ It Up also includes delicious covers of Seals & Crofts’ “Summer Breeze” and Hall & Oates’ (and Paul Young smash) “Every Time You Go Away,” as well as stunning new jazz vocal versions of the Miles Davis classics “Four” and “‘Long Come Tutu.”

    An A-list of musicians appear on Givin’ It Up: keyboardists Patrice Rushen, Rex Rideout and Herbie Hancock; bassists Marcus Miller, Abraham Laboriel and Stanley Clarke; guitarists Dean Parks, Ray Fuller and Michael Thompson; saxophonist Marion Meadows; and drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and Michael White.



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