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Roger Beaujolais: Sunset

By Mark Corroto
September 9, 2017
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Track review of "Little B��s Poem"

Maybe it should be a law that every vibraphonist is required to cover

Bobby Hutcherson

vibraphone
1941 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Hutcherson's "Little B's Poem." Okay, perhaps we don't need such a law, but as with pianists covering compositions by

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk, a requirement like this would enable us to get the measure of the musician. Here

Roger Beaujolais

vibraphone

" data-original-title="" title="">Roger Beaujolais, on his 19th studio album

" data-original-title="" title="">Sarasota Sunsets, sets his sights on the Hutcherson classic. He is joined by pianist Robin Aspland, bassist Simon Thorpe, and drummer Winston Clifford.

The tune first appeared on Hutcherson's Components (Blue Note, 1965), that session included

James Spaulding

saxophone, alto
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">James Spaulding on flute,

Freddie Hubbard

trumpet
1938 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Freddie Hubbard,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock,

Ron Carter

bass
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Carter and

Joe Chambers

drums
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Chambers. It wouldn't be a stretch to state it was the vibraphonist's most requested composition. He performed it hundreds of times for audiences. Funny thing though, I cannot find evidence that other vibraphonists have recorded the track. Sure, pianists like

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner,

Kevin Hays

piano
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Hays,

George Cables

piano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">George Cables,

Cyrus Chestnut

piano
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Cyrus Chestnut, and guitarists

Kevin Eubanks

guitar
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Eubanks and

Larry Coryell

guitar
1943 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Coryell have performed the piece. Maybe, with the passing of Hutcherson in 2016, it's time to make performance of piece a litmus test for vibes players.

If that were so, Beaujolais would pass the test with flying colors. Given the sophisticated insistence of the melody, Beaujolais navigates the sound with the same California cool as the original. Harmonizing his sound with Aspland's keyboard, the brief but steady solo by Thorpe seals the deal. Beaujolais maintains the hip insouciance that Bobby Hutcherson was known for. The Italians call that sprezzatura, a studied carelessness as the arrow splits the center of the target.

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Track Listing

Unlucky For Some; Benign Tonight; And When You Smile; I Love You; In The Meantime; Little B's Poem; Round The Houses; Sunset; Yesterdays.

Personnel

Roger Beaujolais

vibraphone

Roger Beaujolais: vibraphone; Robin Aspland: piano; Simon Thorpe: double bass; Winston Clifford: drums.

Album information

Title: Sunset | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced

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