Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 03/10/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Pianist Duke Pearson's "Sweet Honey Bee" has been reissued on CD once again, courtesy of Blue Note's RVG Series. Despite its all-star lineup of Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Joe Henderson on tenor sax, James Spaulding on alto sax and flute, Ron Carter on bass and Mickey Roker on drums, this December 7, 1966 session is a big disappointment. Basically, Pearson's original compositions are watered-down and mainstream in their construction, and dry and underdeveloped in their delivery. Each of the seven songs are so short that the great supporting cast hardly gets a chance to make a meaningful contribution. Don't get me wrong, I certainly don't dismiss Pearson's talents unilaterally. He had shown flashes of creative brilliance on previous Blue Note sessions, particularly Grant Green's "Idle Moments" and his own 1964 album "Wahoo" (featuring the same lineup as this title with Bob Cranshaw replacing Carter on bass -- now sadly out-of-print though). But this knowledge only leaves me with the opinion that "Sweet Honey Bee" could've been a lot sweeter than it is."
I'm really diggin' this
kevnm | Costa Mesa, CA United States | 04/14/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A review I read (not here) bad-mouthed this, but I got a chance to hear it and my ears loved it. Far from a "blowing session," these tunes represent Pearson's compositional and arranging skills, and incorporate tasty solos without abandoning melody and form. A very cool 60s groove."
Sweet indeed.
Cedric Westphal | san francisco, ca | 09/18/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this is my favorite duke pearson cd. It is not as much jazzy as it is loungy (there is less room for soloing, even though the cast is a-list, a big chunk of it is orchestrated), and it definitely has an easy listening quality to it, but once it is on, I can't help but play it again and again."
One of my all time favorites
Jimmy Whitley | Atlanta, GA USA | 03/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had the radio on listening to my favorite jazz show with Bob Parlocha in Nashville, Tn. And Duke Pearson's Gaslight came on and I was so compelled to get up at 4:40 am to go online and order this album. Based on hearing this beautiful arrangement of Gaslight with a pretty good all-star cast, I'm sure the rest of the album will be worth the 4-5 days wait for shipping. I have to say this tune puts me mind of something so harmonious, complex yet subtle. The horn play is so inter-woven together that to a jazz novice you would think that it was one instrument. I would recommend this album alone based on the awesome tune "Gaslight", and like a gaslight it got me started to get this CD. Take care"
IN RARE FORM
Brian D. Fitzpatrick | Medford, MA | 03/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"PERSONNEL:
Freddie Hubbard-trumpet
Joe Henderson-tenor sax
James Spaulding-alto sax,flute
Duke Pearson-piano
Ron Carter-bass
Mikey Rocker-drums
Well-known for his superlative arranging skills for big band as well as smaller ensembles,and as a solid main-stream pianist,this recording is a
good testimonial to all of these attributes.I consider SWEET HONEY BEE to be the finest recording during his tenure at BLUE NOTE RECORDS.This sextet is polished,with some great originals by Pearson,top-shelf soloing all around, and a really superb rhythm section,with Freddie Hubbard,James Spaulding,and Joe Henderson taking full advantage of the moment.Standouts for me were the surreal qualities of 'GAS LIGHT',which merits a thoughtful and hi-calibre solo by Henderson,and the straight ahead 'one-two punch' of 'BIG BERTHA'.Hubbard,Spaulding and Henderson really 'smoke'this one,with the sparkling drive of Roker,Carter,and Duke spurring them on.On both these tunes Pearson really diplays his remarkable compositional and arranging skills.This comes highly reccomended.Also, two other suberb CD's with Duke Pearson as leader,are 'THE DUKE PEARSON BIG BAND' (Blue Note Records),and 'PROFILE'(with Stanley Turrentine/Blue Note Records).Enjoy! Health and happiness.