George Benson and Al Jarreau - Givin' It Up [Import]

George Benson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B000HT3Q3M
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,008 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #81 in Music > Music Deals > More Titles at Least 25% Off

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Not trusting the drawing power of its co-billed veterans, singer-guitarist George Benson and singer-"vocal percussionist" Al Jarreau, or the eventfulness of their teaming, the producers of Givin' It Up have hedged their commercial bets with a full array of guest stars. But none of the guest singers lifts the proceedings above a sleek professionalism--not Paul McCartney, who participates in a humdrum, album-ending jam on Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home to Me"; not the wonderful Jill Scott, who emulates Billie Holiday on a modest treatment of "God Bless the Child"; and not old pro Patti Austin. Herbie Hancock, Chris Botti, Stanley Clarke, and Marcus Miller also turn up, agreeably but unexcitingly enough, among smooth jazzers including Marion Meadows and Patrice Rushen. The material ranges from two songs to which Jarreau adds lyrics--the 1976 Benson hit "Breezin'" and "'Long Come Tutu," based on the Miller-written title track of Miles Davis's "Tutu"--to covers of Seals and Crofts' "Summer Breeze" and the Daryl Hall-penned Paul Young hit, "Every Time You Go Away." Benson and Jarreau seem a bit hemmed-in by the crowd of name contributors. Even in smooth mode, they have done livelier work than this. --Lloyd Sachs

Product Description

CD > POPULAR MUSIC > ROCK

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterful collection of seductive grooves., March 2, 2007

By 

joemacktheknife (East Hampton, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Benson and Al Jarreau - Givin' It Up (Audio CD)

Though it has taken three decades, the pairing of George Benson and Al Jarreau - peerless music legends who both sprang from jazz into the international R&B and pop mainstream - was pure destiny.
The parallels of their career paths, musical ideologies and fans bases would seem to have deemed it so many moons ago. Both have earned multiple Gold and Platinum albums, totaling millions of copies sold, along with coveted Grammy awards in both the pop and jazz categories. And both gentlemen are consummate and engaging entertainers, each capable of selling out an all-nighter by himself and still barely denting his catalog of timeless classics.
The result is a landmark, 13-song album. Painstakingly prepared by Benson and Jarreau, "Givin' It Up" touches on every style and mood fans could imagine from this stellar event of musical matchmaking.
" Givin' It Up" crackles with inventive covers of standards ranging from the 1940s (Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child"); the 1960s (Sam Cooke's "Bring it on Home to Me" featuring a surprise cameo by pop legend Paul McCartney); the 1970s (Seals & Crofts' "Summer Breeze"); and the 1980s (Daryl Hall's "Everytime You Go Away"). They also show respect for the music of today, inviting neo soul diva Jill Scott to sing along on "God Bless the Child," and turning in a sumptuous instrumental rendition of singer/songwriter John Legend's " Ordinary People" with Marion Meadows on soprano sax.
"Givin' It Up" also features sizzling jazz jams on two Miles Davis classics: the classy swing of "Four," with lyrics by the great Jon Hendricks and featuring Stanley Clarke on upright bass; and the lowdown blues of "Tutu," rewritten as "Resurrection Blues" by Jarreau and set to Marcus Miller's dynamic original music (a homage to Bishop Desmond Tutu), featuring Miller himself on electric bass and special guest Herbie Hancock in scorching form on acoustic piano.
Proving yet again why he's one of the most talented and popular R&B vocalists working today, Jarreau pens lyrics and sings on one of Benson's biggest hits, "Breezin', and offers a poignant reconciliation song titled "Let it Rain," which also features the evocative muted trumpet of Chris Botti.
The album is a masterful collection of smooth, seductive grooves and inspired reinterpretations of Benson's and Jarreau's most classic songs.
The lively interplay between Benson's singular guitar work and Jarreau's unmistakable vocals give this jazz collaboration a truly one-of-kind sound and delivers harmonic depth and tonal richness which will garner appreciation from pop and jazz aficionados alike.
Whether you're a long-time fan of Benson and Jarreau or experiencing their musical genius for the first time, this album is a treat for music fans everywhere.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A PERFECT, GOLD-MINE OF A CD!, November 12, 2006

By 

D. Lee "Fire Horse" (Thousand Oaks, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: George Benson and Al Jarreau - Givin' It Up (Audio CD)

I have seen Al Jarreau 20 times in concert (and recently saw Al and George perform at the Hollywood Bowl) and am a long-time fan from WAY BACK. There are a few Al CDs that you just play forwards and backwards (and back when they were cassettes, you wore out the tape) because they're just PERFECT. "Breakin' Away", "Jarreau" and "Heaven and Earth" come to mind. Well, add "Givin' It Up" to that list. If you're an old-school Al fan and you're wondering whether to buy this CD, BUY IT. It will live up to all of your Al expectations. There's a "Look the Rainbow" feel to it, there's a "Breakin' Away" feel to it, there's a "Jarreau" feel to it. There's even a "Glow" feel to it (when you think about tunes like "Milwaukee" and "Have You Seen the Child?"). Grassroots Al.

It's got the production values of "Heaven and Earth" and "Tenderness". FABULOUS production, arrangements, gathering of talent. There is not one song on here that you will skip as you're listening to it driving to work or whatever. In fact, if you're throwing a party and want to instantly get people in a jazzy party mood, put on this CD because between everybody from Chris Botti to Jill Scott to a SOULFUL Paul McCartney, people will stop and say, "Wow, listen to Jill and George tearing up 'God Bless the Child.'" And "Is that Paul McCartney tearing up 'Bring It on Home to Me'?" [Yes, it is.] Meanwhile, Al and George are working their magic the entire time, and guests will say, "Listen to George right there." And, "Al is jamming right now." It's a conversation-stopper provided by the best thing that can stop a conversation at a party: fabulous music that people must comment on. Of course, that's where the conversation picks right back up, so you win either way. The blend is perfect: Just a touch of scatting, just a touch of voice-beat, with lots of fabulous jazzy vocals by both Al and George, tons of great music solos, and George playing a perfect guitar.

If you're a George Benson fan, you will be THRILLED with this CD because George provides a fabulous through-line to every piece. He's ever-present with every wonderful thing he ever did on a guitar. He fronts many of the pieces, and he's not in any way relegated to "background guitarist." He IS the music in every piece, with few exceptions. As much as I love Al, this CD is MAGICAL because of the blend of George and Al. ONLY THESE TWO CAN PAIR UP TO MAKE THIS KIND OF CD. There IS NO OTHER TEAM who could have pulled this off. You need Al's voice and George's guitar. Period. In fact, I'm guessing much of the jazz music world is a tad jealous right now of how simply GENIUS this CD is, as in, "Dang. These two are GREAT together. Wow."

Bottom line: This is a perfect blend of these two greats' talents. George takes care of the music, while Al provides the wide gamut of vocals he's an expert at (and that only he can provide). If you've been a long-time fan of either of these two, you won't be disappointed. It's not lopsided. And it's OLD-SCHOOL in every good way.

My prediction: This CD will sweep the Grammys. If it doesn't, there is no justice. Like another reviewer on this page, I intend to buy this CD for about EIGHT people. It's just THAT perfect.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Music - Real Musicians - Really Really Good Stuff!!!!!!!, January 16, 2007

By 

Soulin' (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Benson and Al Jarreau - Givin' It Up (Audio CD)

I've been a fan of both these guys for years but in recent times have felt Al's voice in particular to be not what it once was - Well let me admit my error. This is a superb effort!!! George is still the greatest guitarist out there..sure it ain't straight Jazz - that's it's beauty!
A wonderful hybrid of styles anf for my money 'All that I am' has one of the best vocal performances of George's career (a sweet but moving tune)
The syncopations in 'Don't start no stuff' are sensational.
All up a great set from two of music's real stylists and boundary pushers!!