George Benson / Al Jarreau: Givin' It Up

Smooth jazz
premiera polska: 2006-10-23
kontynent: Ameryka Północna
kraj: USA
opakowanie: plastikowe etui
opis:
JazzTimes:
It was perhaps inevitable that longtime friends George Benson and Al Jarreau would find themselves collaborating on a high-octane CD with guests like Patti Austin, Jill Scott, Chris Botti, Hebie Hancock, Paul McCartney and Patrice Rushen. It makes more sense when you realize both of their prior CDs didn’t do as well as expected on the charts. Benson’s Irreplaceable proved that his fans really didn’t want to hear an album of vocal tunes from a player best-known for his groundbreaking guitar work, even though he has had some high-charting vocal tunes in the past. And Jarreau’s return to his jazz roots on Accentuate the Positive had Jarreau scratching his head over its failure to gain critical or mass acceptance.

Givin’ It Up should do the trick for both. And although these two Grammy Award-wining musicians didn’t really need a gimmick, they’ve got one: Jarreau sings new lyrics to Benson’s smash hit “Breezin’,” while Benson puts his much-copied guitar licks to good use on Jarreau’s “Mornin’.” Those two new arrangements are refreshing and-even if covers of Seals and Croft’s “Summer Breeze” and Paul Young’s “Every Time You Go Away” seem miscast-this is a tremendously personal album by the talented duo, one that benefits from an organic and acoustic approach.

There’s plenty of Jarreau’s world-famous vocal tricks, which include tongue-clicking, chest-beating and plenty of crazed scatting. Benson’s guitar, for the most part, seems like an accompaniment rather than a lead instrument, and he proves he’s still got the vocal chops on the ballad “All I Am.”

This is the right album at the right time. From the new vocal renditions of Miles Davis’ “Four” and “‘Long Came Tutu” to unique interpretations of Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child” and John Legend’s “Ordinary People,” this album announces: Hey, look at these two legends having fun and making great music.
by Brian Soergel

popMATTERS - 7/10:
Al Jarreau's smooth liquid vocals have graced our ears for the past 30 years, and what better way to enhance that experience than to record with an equally talented old friend, George Benson. This Fall, the two very gifted artists teamed up to release Givin' It Up from the Concord Music Group.

This glorious album opens with Al Jarreau's vocal percussion flirting with a cha cha-like beat before accompanying Larry Williams' arrangements to Benson's "Breezin'". Jarreau mixes silky smooth vocals with a staccato vocalization throughout "Breezin'". Benson also lends his vocals to this great tune. Abraham Laboriel's strong electric bass work couples with the guitars of Benson, A. Ray "The Weeper" Fuller, and Dean Parks to present us with a spectacular rhythm section. The incomparable Vinnie Colaiuta rounds out the rhythm boys with Williams on keys and Paulinho Da Costa keeping the percussion beats.

Michael Broening came up with some lush arrangements for "Mornin'", an original composition from the pens of Mssrs. Jarreau, David Foster, and Jay Gordon. This song is also introduced through Jarreau's percussive vocals, which is a common thread for this CD. Benson's guitar work has always captivated me, and his creamy smooth licks for "Mornin'" are once again spellbinding. Marion Meadows's saxophone teases us with cameo appearances, and I found myself unconsciously and rhythmically swaying to "Mornin'".

Jarreau and Benson provide a more subtle cover of Seals and Crofts' "Summer Breeze". For me, the real highlight on "Summer Breeze" does not come from Benson and Jarreau's vocals, but through the elegant piano and keyboard chops of Larry Williams, Vinnie Colaiuto's magnificent drumming, and some fabulous guitar work.

Fingering the keys to his sax, Marion Meadows ensures a sweet melodic lilt to John Legend's "Ordinary People". Jarreau and Benson's understated vocals add to the beauty. Patti Austin (vocals) and Chris Botti (trumpet) guest on "Let It Rain". The soulful Perry sisters (Lorraine, Sharon and Darlene), Sandra Simmons Williams, Maxi Anderson, and Valerie Pinkston provide backup vocals.

For me, the song "Every Time You Go Away" does not work as well with smooth jazz as it did for Paul Young's pop chart buster from the '80s. Smooth jazz, by nature, tends to be relaxing, and Darryl Hall's lyrics are passionate and urgent. Fans of scat will love the eleventh track, "Four". The scatting has a simple piano accompaniment (Patrice Rushen), a solid bassline by Stanley Clarke, and Colaiuta's brushes on the cymbals.

Wouldn't you like to be backup singers Alethea Mills, Chavonne Morris, and De'Ante Duckett and say you recorded with one of history's most famous trios: Paul McCartney, George Benson, and Al Jarreau? That is just what they did for the tune "Bring It on Home to Me". Randy Waldman's soulful gospel-tinged grooves work well for both the instrumentalists and the vocalists. The song ends with what I would guess was some great improvised music.
by Joe Montague

All Music Guide:
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.
by Matt Collar

utwory:
1. Breezin'
2. Mornin'
3. 'long Come Tutu
4. God Bless The Child (feat. Jill Scott)
5. Summer Breeze
6. All I Am
7. Ordinary People
8. Let It Rain (feat. Patti Austin)
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 (feat. Paul McCartney)

wydano: 2006-10
nagrano: 2006
more info: www.concordmusicgroup.com
more info2: georgebenson.com