"Let Me Down Slowly" singer-songwriter Benjamin (4)

I believe the answer is:

alec

(Other definitions for alec that I've seen before include "Sir -- Guinness, actor" , "Guinness (a smart lad?)" , "Actor Guinness is smart" , "Boy's name (a smart one?)" , "A smart . . . . is a know-all in lace" .)

I've seen this clue in the LA Times.

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