Irreplaceable (album)

Irreplaceable
Irreplaceable
Studio album by George Benson
Released	2003 (first edition); June 8, 2004 (second edition)
Genre	Contemporary R&B, Smooth jazz
Length	41:32 (first edition); 39:36 (second edition)
Label	GRP Records
Producer	Joshua Paul Thompson, Hakim Bell, William Irving, Joe Thomas
George Benson chronology
Singles from Irreplaceable
	"Cell Phone (Blacksmith remix)"; Released: 2009; "Irreplaceable"; Released: 2009; "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise"; Released: 2010;

Last updated November 01, 2024

Irreplaceable is a studio album by American musician George Benson. The album, released by GRP Records in 2003, was recorded in contemporary R&B style. However, four songs were re-recorded in a more smooth jazz style and released in 2004, together with three new songs, and leaving out three songs from the original 2003 edition.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	^[1]
Tom Hull	C−^[2]

Tom Hull dismissed the album as a "dud" in his "Jazz Consumer Guide" for The Village Voice in September 2004.^[3] In a commentary published on his website, he explained, "The three instrumentals are minor groove pieces for uninspired guitar and synth beats, but at least they don't have to carry the exceptionally lame lyrics of the other seven songs. The songs come with neatly groomed layered voices. We tend to classify this sort of soul fluff as easy listening, but easy playing is more like it. It's not like anyone can actually listen."^[2]

Track listing

First edition (2003)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Six Play"	Mike Clark, John Fiore, Joshua P. Thompson	4:13
2.	"Whole Man"	Hakim Bell, William Irving, Shoshyne, Hasan Smith, Joshua P. Thompson	3:52
3.	"Irreplaceable"	Mike Clark, John Fiore, Joshua P. Thompson	4:17
4.	"Loving Is Better Than Leaving"	Mike Clark, Joe Thomas, Joshua P. Thompson	4:15
5.	"Strings of Love"	John Fiore, Allan Rich, Joshua P. Thompson, Philip White	3:27
6.	"Cell Phone"	Randy Beasley, Joshua P. Thompson, Stephanie Thompson	4:12
7.	"Black Rose"	Joe Thomas, Joshua P. Thompson	4:40
8.	"Stairway to Love"	Olivia Longott, Quincy Patrick, Joshua P. Thompson	4:20
9.	"Reason for Breathing"	Scott Andrews, Quincy Patrick, Joe Thomas, Joshua P. Thompson, Warren Wilson	4:50
10.	"Missing You"	Tim Kelly, Bob Robinson, Joe Thomas, Joshua P. Thompson	3:22

Second edition (2004)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Irreplaceable"	Mike Clark, John Fiore, Joshua P. Thompson	4:17
2.	"Cell Phone" (Remix by Paul Brown & DC)	Randy Beasley, Joshua P. Thompson, Stephanie Thompson	3:44
3.	"Black Rose" (Remix by Joshua P. Thompson & John Roper)	Joe Thomas, Joshua P. Thompson	4:40
4.	"Take You Out"	Warryn Campbell, Harold Lilly, John Smith	3:54
5.	"Strings of Love"	John Fiore, Allan Rich, Joshua P. Thompson, Philip White	3:28
6.	"Missing You"	Tim Kelly, Bob Robinson, Joe Thomas, Joshua P. Thompson	3:22
7.	"Six Play" (Remix by Paul Brown & DC)	Mike Clark, John Fiore, Joshua P. Thompson	4:04
8.	"Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise"	Sigmund Romberg, Oscar Hammerstein II	3:58
9.	"Stairway To Love" (Remix by Paul Brown & DC)	Olivia Longott, Quincy Patrick, Joshua P. Thompson	3:59
10.	"Arizona Sunrise"	George Benson, Paul Brown, Thomas Klemperer	3:58

Personnel and credits

Musicians

George Benson – lead vocals, backing vocals (1–4, 6–10), electric guitar (1, 3, 7), lead guitar (2, 5, 8, 10)
Joshua Paul Thompson – keyboards (1, 3, 5), acoustic guitar (1–4, 7, 10), bass (1, 6), drum programming (1, 3), vocal arrangements (1–8, 10), synth bass (3), harmony guitar (5), guitar (6), strings (7)
Joe Thomas – keyboards (4), electric guitar (4), keyboards (4), drum programming (4), backing vocals (4, 6), vocal arrangements (4, 6)
Bill Blast – electric piano (2)
Melvin Lee Davis – Hammond B3 organ (2)
Bobby Douglas – keyboards (6, 7, 9)
Georg Wadenius – rhythm electric guitar (2), electric guitar (8), guitar (9)
Richard Bona – bass (2–10), percussion (4, 8), chant (5), vocal arrangements (5)
David "Pic" Conley – drum programming (1, 3, 5, 6, 8), flute (7)
Hakim Bell – drum programming (2)
Ali Jackson – drum programming (7, 9, 10), live cymbal (9), live hi-hat (10)
Mike Hobbs – finger snaps (1)
Grégoire Maret – harmonica solo (8)
Terry Carpenter – backing vocals (1, 3), additional vocal arrangements (1)
Philip White – backing vocals (1, 3, 5), vocal arrangement (1, 3, 5)
Chyna Royal – lead vocals (1)
Hasan Smith – backing vocals (2, 7), vocal arrangement (2, 7)
Randy Beasley – backing vocals (3)
Nakiea – lead vocals (3)
Shoshannah – lead vocals (4)
Andrea Simmons – lead and backing vocals (6)
Sean Albrecht – backing vocals (9)
Lisa Fischer – backing vocals (8), vocal arrangement (8)
Carlos Ricketts – backing vocals (9, 10), vocal arrangements (10)
John Fiore – backing vocals (9)

Production

Producers – Joshua Paul Thompson (Tracks 1, 3, 5–10); Hakim Bell and William Irving (Track 2); Joe Thomas (Track 4).
Recorded and Mixed by John Roper at Tallest Tree Studio (West Orange, NJ).
Mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
Album Coordinators – Kelly Pratt and Robert Silverburg
Art Direction – Hollis King
Design – Rika Ichiki
Photography by Kwaku Alston, David Alan Brandt and Donna Ramieri.
Management – Dennis Turner and Stephanie Guervitz-Gonzalez for Turner Management Group, Inc.

Related Research Articles

<i>Heart Like a Wheel</i> 1974 studio album by Linda Ronstadt

Heart Like a Wheel is the fifth solo studio album by Linda Ronstadt, released in November 1974. It was Ronstadt's last album to be released by Capitol Records. At the time of its recording, Ronstadt had already moved to Asylum Records and released her first album there; due to contractual obligations, though, Heart Like a Wheel was released by Capitol.

<i>Simple Things</i> (Amy Grant album) 2003 studio album by Amy Grant

Simple Things is the fifteenth studio album by CCM singer-songwriter Amy Grant, released in 2003.

<i>Made in the Shade</i> 1975 greatest hits album by The Rolling Stones

Made in the Shade, released in 1975, is the fourth official compilation album by the Rolling Stones, and the first under their Atlantic Records contract. It covers material from Sticky Fingers (1971), Exile on Main St. (1972), Goats Head Soup (1973) and It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (1974).

<i>Only a Woman Like You</i> 2002 studio album by Michael Bolton

Only a Woman Like You is an album by Michael Bolton, released in 2002. The album constituted a comeback for Bolton and peaked at No. 36 on the US albums chart.

<i>Summer of 78</i> 1996 studio album by Barry Manilow

Summer of '78 is an album by singer-songwriter Barry Manilow, released in 1996. The album is a collection of cover versions of popular songs, mostly from the late 1970s, and was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.

<i>Do It for Love</i> (Hall & Oates album) 2003 studio album by Hall & Oates

Do It for Love is the sixteenth studio album by pop music duo Hall & Oates, released on February 11, 2003 through U-Watch Records and Sanctuary Records. The title track peaked at No. 1 on Adult Contemporary charts making it the eighth No. 1 hit of their career, with "Forever For You", "Man on a Mission", and "Getaway Car" all charted as well. It was their first album of all-new material in six years and their last full album of original material.

<i>Fade into Light</i> 1996 studio album by Boz Scaggs

Fade into Light is the twelfth studio album by American musician Boz Scaggs, released in Japan in 1996 and the U.S. in 2005. The album was a mix of new original compositions and new recordings of Scaggs' classic hits.

<i>A Spanner in the Works</i> 1995 studio album by Rod Stewart

A Spanner in the Works is the seventeenth studio album released by Rod Stewart on 29 May 1995. It ended a four-year gap since his previous studio album, Vagabond Heart. Although he did release the live album Unplugged...and Seated in 1993, as of 2024, this remains Stewart's longest break between studio albums. It was released on Warner Bros. Records in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Five singles were released: "You're The Star", "Leave Virginia Alone", "This", "Lady Luck", and "Purple Heather".

<i>Dave Koz</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Dave Koz

Dave Koz is the 1990 debut album by Dave Koz. It was released on Capitol Records on September 25, 1990. Koz co-wrote eight of the 11 tracks, as well as having a reworking of the Richard Marx hit "Endless Summer Nights". He is supported by various people depending on the song.

<i>Somewhere Down the Road</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Amy Grant

Somewhere Down the Road is the seventeenth studio album by Christian music and pop music singer-songwriter Amy Grant, released in 2010. It is a unique album featuring eight new songs, a new recording of the song "Arms of Love", from her 1982 album Age to Age, and rounded out with three of Grant's previously released story-songs.

<i>20/20</i> (George Benson album) 1985 studio album by George Benson

20/20 is a studio album by George Benson, released on the Warner Bros. record label in 1985. The lead single by the same name reached #48 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA. "You Are the Love of My Life" is a duet with Roberta Flack. It was one of a number of songs used for Eden Capwell and Cruz Castillo on the American soap opera Santa Barbara. Also included on 20/20 is the original version of the song "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" which would later become a smash hit for Hawaiian singer Glenn Medeiros.

<i>Givin It Up</i> 2006 studio album by George Benson and Al Jarreau

Givin' It Up is a collaborative album by American musicians George Benson and Al Jarreau, released on October 24, 2006, by Concord Records. It contains songs previously recorded by both artists (Benson's "Breezin" and Jarreau's "Mornin" and original music. Other vocalists and musicians featured are Jill Scott, Patti Austin, Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke, Abe Laboriel, Chris Botti, Marcus Miller, and Paul McCartney. This project also includes standards by Billie Holiday and Sam Cooke, pop songs by Seals and Crofts and Daryl Hall along with the jazz-swing "Four" by Miles Davis, and "Ordinary People" by John Legend.

<i>Songs and Stories</i> 2009 studio album by George Benson

Songs and Stories is a studio album by George Benson. The album was released by Concord on August 25, 2009. The album was produced by John Burk and Marcus Miller and featured a host of guest musicians.

<i>In Your Eyes</i> (George Benson album) 1983 studio album by George Benson

In Your Eyes is a 1983 album by George Benson. It is his only album produced by producer Arif Mardin. It includes the hit "Lady Love Me ".

<i>Twice the Love</i> 1988 studio album by George Benson

Twice the Love is a 1988 studio album by American guitarist and singer George Benson that was recorded with six production teams. The two main singles off the record were the title track "Twice the Love" and the Curtis Mayfield song "Let's Do It Again" which was a No. 1 hit for The Staple Singers in 1975.

<i>While the City Sleeps...</i> 1986 studio album by George Benson

While the City Sleeps... is a 1986 studio album by American guitarist and singer George Benson, released on Warner Bros. Records. It features musicians like Paulinho da Costa, Preston Glass, Paul Jackson, Jr., Marcus Miller and Narada Michael Walden, alongside young talents of the time like Kenny G, Randy Jackson and Kashif. Although it does not have any instrumental tracks, Benson's guitar playing is somewhat in the headlight in songs like "Love Is Here Tonight", "Teaser" and "Too Many Times". The most successful single of the album, "Kisses in the Moonlight", is still frequently played by Benson at live performances and is present on many of his compilation albums On the B-side of the "Kisses in the Moonlight" single – alongside "Breezin'" on the 12" version – is the instrumental song "Open Your Eyes" which is not available elsewhere.

<i>All My Love</i> (Peabo Bryson album) 1989 studio album by Peabo Bryson

All My Love is the fourteenth studio album by American singer Peabo Bryson. It was released by Capitol Records in May 1989 in the United States. The album marked Bryson's first release with the label after four years with Elektra Records.

<i>Love Remembers</i> (album) 1993 studio album by George Benson

Love Remembers is the 28th album by George Benson, released June 8, 1993. This album charted at No. 1 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, as well as No. 7 on its Jazz Albums chart.

<i>Songs of Cinema</i> 2017 studio album by Michael Bolton

Songs of Cinema is the 23rd studio album by American singer Michael Bolton. The album was released on February 10, 2017 by Frontiers Records. The album contains a ballad version of Bolton's song with The Lonely Island, "Jack Sparrow". Bolton promoted the album in a guest appearance on Screen Junkies' series Honest Trailers, in a trailer for the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

<i>Positive</i> (Peabo Bryson album) 1988 studio album by Peabo Bryson

Positive is a studio album by the American singer Peabo Bryson, released in January 1988 by Elektra Records. The album peaked at number 157 on the US Billboard 200 and number 42 on the Billboard R&B albums chart. It was the last album Bryson recorded for Elektra before he briefly returned to Capitol Records. Positive was supported by the single "Without You", which was also the theme song to Leonard Part 6.

References

↑ Widran, Jonathan. George Benson: Irreplaceable > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
1 2 Hull, Tom (September 28, 2004). "September 2004 Notebook". tomhull.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
↑ Hull, Tom (September 28, 2004). "Jazz Consumer Guide (2): The Caribbean Tinge". The Village Voice . Retrieved June 25, 2020– via tomhull.com.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] Widran, Jonathan. George Benson: Irreplaceable > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved May 12, 2013.

[Hull2-2] 1 2 Hull, Tom (September 28, 2004). "September 2004 Notebook". tomhull.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.

[Hull-3] Hull, Tom (September 28, 2004). "Jazz Consumer Guide (2): The Caribbean Tinge". The Village Voice . Retrieved June 25, 2020– via tomhull.com.

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e George Benson
Discography
Studio albums	The New Boss Guitar of George Benson It's Uptown The George Benson Cookbook Giblet Gravy Shape of Things to Come Goodies Tell It Like It Is The Other Side of Abbey Road Beyond the Blue Horizon White Rabbit Body Talk Bad Benson Good King Bad Benson & Farrell Breezin' In Flight Livin' Inside Your Love Give Me the Night In Your Eyes Pacific Fire I Got a Woman and Some Blues 20/20 While the City Sleeps... Collaboration Twice the Love Big Boss Band That's Right Standing Together Absolute Benson Irreplaceable Givin' It Up Songs and Stories Guitar Man Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole Walking to New Orleans
Live albums	In Concert-Carnegie Hall Weekend in L.A.
Compilations	Space The George Benson Collection The Greatest Hits of All The Very Best of George Benson: The Greatest Hits of All The Essential George Benson
Singles	"This Masquerade" (1976) "Breezin'" (1976) "The Greatest Love of All" (1977) "On Broadway" (1978) "Love Ballad" (1979) "Give Me the Night" (1980) "Love X Love" (1980) "What's on Your Mind" (1980) "Never Give Up on a Good Thing" (1981) "Turn Your Love Around" (1981) "Inside Love (So Personal)" (1983) "Lady Love Me (One More Time)" (1983) "Feel Like Makin' Love" (1983) "In Your Eyes" (1983) "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" (1985) "Shiver" (1986) "Teaser" (1986) "Let's Do It Again" (1988)