Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards

George Benson - Irreplaceable
Label: Grp Records
Release Date: 06/08/2004

1 Irreplaceable(Clark/F/T) 4:18
2 Cell Phone (Beasley/T/T) 3:46
3 Black Rose (Thomas/Thompson) 4:40
4 Take You Out (Campbell/L/S) 3:54
5 Strings of Love (Clark/F/R/T/W) 3:29
6 Missing You (Kelly/R/T/T) 3:23
7 Six Play (Clark/F/T) 4:05
8 Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise (Hammerstein/Romberg) 3:59
9 Stairway to Love (Longott/P/T) 4:00
10 Arizona Sunrise (Benson/B/K) 3:58
11 Cell Phone [Blacksmith Club Rub Remix](Beasley/T/T)

Guitar|Guitar (Electric)|Vocals|Vocals (Background): George Benson
Release Coordinator: Robert Silverberg
Producer|Drum Programming, Guitar (Electric)|Keyboards|Vocals (Background):
Joe Thomas
Vocals (Background): John Fiore
Producer: William Irving
Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background): Philip White
Guitar|Guitar (Electric)|Guitar (Rhythm): George Wadenius
Vocals (Background): Selina Albright
Vocal Arrangement, Bass|Percussion|Chant: Richard Bona
Release Coordinator: Kelly Pratt
Vocals|Vocals (Background): Andrea Simmons
Grooming: Sasha Harford
Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background): Taylor Carpenter
Producer|Vocal Arrangement|Drum Programming|Soloist, Guitar
(Acoustic)|Bass|Guitar|Keyboards|Synthesizer Bass: Joshua Thompson
Mastering: Tom Coyne
Vocals (Background): Randy Beasley
Cover Photo: David Allan Brandt
Guitar|Guitar (Electric)|Vocals|Vocals (Background): The George Benson
Quartet
Keyboards: Bobby Douglas
Finger Snapping: Mike Hobbs
Guitar|Guitar (Electric)|Vocals|Vocals (Background): George Benson
Vocals (Background): Sean Albrecht
Organ (Hammond): Melvin Davis
Photography: Kwaku Alston
Vocals: Shoshannah
Photo Production: Donna Ranieri
Vocals (Background): Chyna
Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background): Lisa Fischer
Engineer|Mixing: John Roper
Drum Programming: Ali Muhammed Jackson
Producer|Drum Programming: Hakim Bell
Wardrobe: Dawn Haynes
Drum Programming, Flute: Pic Conley
Art Direction: Hollis King
Piano (Electric): Bill Blast
Design: Rika Ichiki
Soloist, Harmonica: Gregoire Maret

"The first time I heard him was at the Bottom Line in NYC. My father took me when I was about 16. He was absolutely amazing! I wasn't into 'jazz' yet, but his mastery of the guitar was astounding! There was no singing at the time...that would come later. Some years later, when Special EFX was on the same festival as Benson, in Detroit, I got to meet him at soundcheck. I remember that he was instantly friendly and gracious, and humorous standing there saying hello to me, and complimenting ME on my abilities, while noodling on his jazzbox. That 'noodling' was beyond anything I could possibly do on the guitar, even today! That's how talented Benson is! His goofing around on the guitar is in the stratosphere of 6 string heaven! All in all I've loved his work, through all the different musical periods." - Chieli Minucci

"The best way to describe my friend, George Benson, is to call him the Michael Jordan of guitar. It has been a pleasure through the years to enjoy his wonderful discography of music, his masterful approach to his guitar and vocals, and the personality and integrity of the man himself. I've had the pleasure of sharing both the stage and recording projects with George and each experience has been an enhancement to my life in so many ways. Congratulations on your Lifetime Achievement Award and thank you so much for your undying inspiration."
- Gerald Albright

"Working with George has been one of the greatest things to happen to me. There is so much I can say about George, this one instance will give you an insight as to the person he is; When I was 19, and with very little experience, he invited me to tour with his band. He provided the encouragement and belief in me to mature as a musician. Sometimes I feel this occurred at the expense of his own career efforts and the only reward being, simply, helping me achieve my dreams. This is the person George is to me. I will be forever grateful." - Earl Klugh