Givin' It Up

Track list

Disc 1

1. Breezin'

   5:40 • Studio version

2. Mornin'

   5:02 • Studio version

3. Long Come Tutu

   6:37 • Studio version

4. God Bless the Child

   3:40 • Studio version

5. Summer Breeze

   5:01 • Studio version

6. All I Am

   3:23 • Studio version

7. Ordinary People

   5:18 • Studio version

8. Let It Rain

   4:54 • Studio version

9. Givin' It Up for Love

   3:57 • Studio version

10. Every Time You Go Away

    4:30 • Studio version

11. Four

    5:15 • Studio version

12. Don't Start No Schtuff

    4:44 • Studio version

13. Bring It On Home to Me

    Written by Sam Cooke

    4:25 • Studio version • B

    Paul McCartney : Vocals Vinnie Colaiuta : Drums Dean Parks : Guitar Al Jarreau : Vocals George Benson : Guitar, Vocals Randy Waldman : Piano Michael Broening : Organ Patrice Rushen : Fender rhodes electric piano Abraham Laboriel : Electric bass Paulinho Da Costa : Percussion Alethea Mills : Background vocals Chavonne Morris : Background vocals De'Ante Duckett : Background vocals

From Wikipedia:

Givin’ It Up is a first-time recording/collaboration between seasoned and highly celebrated jazz artists-vocalist Al Jarreau and guitarist George Benson. It contains signature classics previously recorded by both veteran artists (Benson’s “Breezin” and Jarreau’s “Mornin”) and original music of which both gentlemen masterfully contribute their talents. Other noteworthy vocalists and musicians featured are Jill Scott, Patti Austin, Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke, Abe Laboriel, Chris Botti, Marcus Miller, and Beatles Legend Paul McCartney. This project also contains standards by Billie Holiday (God Bless The Child) and Sam Cooke (Bring It On Home To Me), popular classics by Seals and Crofts (Summer Breeze) and Daryl Hall (Everytime You Go Away) along with the classic jazz-swing “Four” by the legendary Miles Davis, and the neo-soul hit “Ordinary People” by John Legend.

It was released by Concord Records in September 2006.

From NPR Music, October 27, 2006:

CHIDEYA: […] And you also got Paul McCartney involved.

Mr. JARREAU: Paul McCartney, that’s a special one. Nobody called him…

Mr. BENSON: Well, he heard that we were on the complex, on the grounds. And he heard that I was doing a record with Al, that he and I we’re doing record together. So he had never met Al, but he liked Al, and so did his wife.

He said that Al was his wife’s favorite artist. So he had to meet him. So he came by to see me to pay his respects and to meet Al. And he stumbled into the studio out of the clear blue sky, we looked around, I said, man, that looks like – it is Paul.

(Soundbite of laughter)

(Soundbite of song “Bring it on Home to Me”)

Mr. BENSON: We were in middle of the song.

CHIDEYA: Right.

Mr. BENSON: It was playing on the speakers, and it suddenly dawned on me that -Paul, you know this song? Because I know he did. He said, yeah, yeah, I know it. How about you’re doing this song here? You want to sing something on this with us? What did he say, Al?

Mr. JARREAU: Bloody hell, can you believe the cheek of this guy. I’m here doing me own record, he asks me to sing on his record.

Mr. BENSON: He kept his promise. He said, well, I’m doing my own thing. He said but if I get some time off, I’ll come back. He did it because he loved me and Al. He said, George, I can do one take. And boy, did he tear that thing up. I said not only did he know the song, I mean he was deep inside it, you know.

Mr. JARREAU: Yeah.

Mr. BENSON: His interpretation was really off the cuff, real different. It was almost like a miracle that happened.