Givin' It Up

Performer: George Benson (Guitarist)/Al Jarreau
Artist: Herbie Hancock; Paul McCartney; Jill Scott; Chris Botti; Patti Austin; Patrice Rushen; Stanley Clarke
Engineer: Michael Broening; Bill Airey Smith; Don Murray; Jeff Harris; Carlos "Storm" Martinez; Myron Chandler; John Wroble; Kevin Becka; Seth Presant; Barry J. Eastmond; Charlie Paakkari
Producer: John Burk; Marcus Miller; Chris Dunn; Michael Broening; Gregg Field; Larry E. Williams; Barry J. Eastmond; John Burk
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: George Benson (vocals, guitar, background vocals); George Benson ; Dean Parks, A. Ray Fuller, Michael Hart Thompson , Freddie Fox (guitar); Mike Broening (piano, organ, keyboards, programming); Larry E. Williams (piano, keyboards); Randy Waldman, Rex Rideout (piano); Joe Turano (electric piano, Wurlitzer organ); Freddie Ravel (Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, organ, synthesizer, drums, percussion, programming); Barry Eastmond (keyboards); Abraham Laboriel, Sr. (electric bass); Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke (bass guitar); Gregg Field, Michael White , Michael White , Ricky Lawson, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Bashiri Johnson (percussion); DeAnte Duckett, Sandra Simmons Williams, Lorraine Perry, Maxi Anderson, Valerie Pinkston, Darlene Perry, Sharon Perry, Alethea Mills, Chavonne Morris (background vocals); Al Jarreau, Patti Austin (vocals, background vocals); Jill Scott, Paul McCartney (vocals); Marion Meadows (saxophone); Chris Botti (trumpet); Patrice Rushen (piano, electric piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); Herbie Hancock (piano); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion). Audio Mixer: Al Schmitt. Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); East Bay Studios, Tarrytown, NY (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); G Studio Digital, Studio City, CA (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); Henson Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); Lafx, North Hollywood, CA (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); NRG Recording, North Hollywood, CA (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); Porcupine Studios, Phoenix, AZ (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); Ravelation Studios, Los Angeles, CA (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); Revelation Studios, Los Angeles, CA (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); The B Hive, Phoenix, AZ (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); The Pass Studios, Hollywood, CA (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); White Lightning Studios, Sylmar, CA (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); White Lightning, Sylmar, CA (04/18/2006-04/25/2006); Willyworld Studio, Hollywood Hills, CA (04/18/2006-04/25/2006). Editors: Bill Airey Smith; Seth Presant. Photographers: Randee St. Nicholas; Randee Saint Nicholas. Arrangers: George Benson ; John Burk; Al Jarreau; Patrice Rushen; Marcus Miller; Joe Turano; Mike Broening; Bill Airey Smith; Freddie Ravel; Myron Chandler; Larry E. Williams; Randy Waldman; Rex Rideout; Seth Presant; Barry Eastmond; Charles Paakkari . These two masters of easy-flowing smooth jazz have really done it this time: instead of merely coasting on their considerable reputations, guitarist George Benson and singer Al Jarreau collaborated on a well-considered program displaying their talents to the best possible advantage. Jarreau provides lyrics for Benson's classic "Breezin'" and both soar on inspired reinventions of two Miles Davis tunes, "Four" and "Tutu." Another highlight is "Let In Rain," which features a spirited guest vocal from Patti Austin and the beautiful Miles-ish trumpet of Chris Botti. Other guests include Herbie Hancock, Jill Scott (a fine "God Bless The Child"), and Sir Paul McCartney ("Bring It On Home To Me"). 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

JazzTimes (p.91) - "There's plenty of Jarreau's world-famous vocal tricks, which include tongue-clicking, chest-beating and plenty of crazed scatting." Mojo (Publisher) (p.95) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Benson's fretboard dexterity and melodic invention reveal a musical sensibility fully intact."

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