Woody Herman Albums (48)
What The Critics Say
This out-of-print LP finds Herman's Third Herd in its prime. Rather than just revisiting his celebrated past, he and his orchestra primarily perform then-recent material, much of it arranged by Ralph Burns. Highlights include a big-band version of Horace Silver's "Opus De Funk," Burns's "Cool Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "I Remember Duke" and Bill Holman's reworking of "Where or When." With tenors Richie Kamuca and Dick Hafer, trumpeter Dick Collins and bass trumpeter Cy Touff as the main soloists, The Third Herd had developed into a particularly strong unit by the mid-'50s. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Light My Fire: Live! Rome, Italy, May 1969'
Release Date 8/6/2002
Tracks 9
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'King Cobra'
Release Date 3/12/2002
Tracks 7
Label Original Jazz Classics
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What The Critics Say
As the years passed and Woody Herman continued to age, his orchestra's music stayed young and contemporary. Never willing to have a mere nostalgia band, he continued looking ahead for new music without lowering his standards. On this LP from 1975, the big band performs an excellent version of Chick Corea's "Spain," explores material by Tom Scott and Stevie Wonder and sounds fine on "Come Rain or Come Shine." Herman's vocal on "Jazzman" does not come off so well but occasional misfires are excused when one considers how many chances he took during his productive career. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Brand New'
Release Date 4/18/2000
Tracks 8
Label Original Jazz Classics
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What The Critics Say
Woody Herman always went out of his way to keep his band's repertoire and style modern and contemporary. Certainly there were few other swing era big-band leaders who would have welcomed the electric blues guitarist Michael Bloomfield as a guest on four selections, as Herman did for 1971's Brand New. Although not a complete success (these versions of "Since I Fell for You" and "Proud Mary" are not all that memorable), it was a noble effort. The best selections on this CD reissue are Ivory Joe Hunter's "I Almost Lost My Mind" and "After Hours." Alan Broadbent (heard throughout on electric piano) contributed five of the eight arrangements, although Nat Pierce's reworking of "After Hours" is most appealing. Other key soloists include Herman (on alto, soprano, and clarinet in addition to taking two vocals), trumpeter Tony Klatka, and Frank Tiberi on tenor. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Live at Newport Jazz Festival 1972'
Release Date 8/24/1999
Tracks 9
Label Jazz Band
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'Herd at Montreux'
Release Date 8/18/1998
Tracks 6
Label Original Jazz Classics
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What The Critics Say
This live performance was recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland at 3:30 a.m.! It chronologically follows Sonny Rollins' 1974 Montreux set, The Cutting Edge. Herman plays soprano saxophone exclusively, leads a 15-piece band through contemporary funk and fusion music of the day, and is backed by such fine soloists as trombonist Jim Pugh, tenor saxophonists Greg Herbert and Frank Tiberi, and trumpeter Dave Stahl. Andy LaVerne plays primarily electric piano, while Chip Jackson anchors the band on bass; both would go on to long careers as sidemen and leaders, but this is the seed of their early work. Overt funk and wah-wah, and Herbert's overblown tenor, accent the Temptations' hit "Can't Get Next to You," while Stahl's excellent horn blowing and LaVerne's arpeggios flavor the slow, rockish swing and swelling horns of Leon Russell and Delaney & Bonnie's "Superstar." Harder funk and Afro-Cuban rhythms buoy clarion horns and Herman's Wayne Shorter-like solo on Gary Anderson's chart of Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" (which liner-note writer Herb Wong called an "acid feel" arrangement), while the Bill Mays-penned, Alan Broadbent-organized, flute-drenched (by Tiberi, Herbert, and Anderson) samba "Montevideo" starts with an upbeat swing and moves to LaVerne's Chick Corea-styled solo. Broadbent also wrote the beautiful Duke Ellington tribute "Tantum Ergo," which features a hymnal vocal choir and Herbert's soulful, pungent tenor sax dancing over meditational horns. Billy Cobham's "Crosswinds" is less potent than the original, but still plenty funky, with horns filling in considerable cracks. A CD for Herman completists only, this prefigured the direction he would take for most of the '70s, following trends rather than setting them. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
'Feelin' So Blue'
Release Date 11/18/1997
Tracks 8
Label Original Jazz Classics
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What The Critics Say
This album has a variety of recordings Herman cut for Fantasy during 1973-75 that had not found a place on his other releases. There are some good moments (notably "Brotherhood of Man") but nothing all that memorable occurs. This is an average release from a jazz institution. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A concert in Poland by the Woody Herman Orchestra resulted in three LPs' worth of material that was originally put out by the European Poljazz label. This Storyville single CD has all but three numbers released on two of the albums and gives listeners a pretty definitive look at how the 1976 Woody Herman Big Band sounded live in concert during the era. Most notable among the sidemen are Frank Tiberi on tenor and keyboardist Lyle Mays (just before he started teaming up with Pat Metheny). The repertoire is fairly typical, with remakes of "Four Brothers," "Early Autumn," "Woodchoppers Ball" and "Fanfare for the Common Man," along with extended versions of "MacArthur Park" and a rapid "Caldonia." It is a pity that no real liner notes are included with the CD, but the music is quite enjoyable and well-rounded. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Woody Herman Featuring Stan Getz'
Release Date 2/11/1997
Tracks 9
Label RCA
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What The Critics Say
This CD has highlights from what was originally a two-LP set taken from the 40th anniversary Carnegie Hall concert of Woody Herman. That event was most notable for having sets featuring alumni and the current version of the Woody Herman Orchestra. Despite the impressive personnel, not everything came off that well ("Four Brothers" is just so-so), and Herman's tendency to introduce soloists while they are playing is a bit intrusive. The only New Thundering Herd features to make it to this CD reissue are "Fanfare for the Common Man" and a lengthy "Blues in the Night"; tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano has spots on both numbers. Stan Getz is showcased on "Blue Serge," "Early Autumn," and "Blue Getz." Flip Phillips makes his only significant appearance on "Sweet and Lovely," and there are cameos from tenors Jimmy Giuffre, Al Cohn, and Zoot Sims, as well as pianists Ralph Burns and Jimmy Rowles, with the closing "Caldonia" being taken way too fast. There are some worthwhile moments along the way (Getz plays quite well), but this concert fell short of being the classic event it could have been. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Jantzen Beach Oregon 1954'
Release Date 7/30/1996
Tracks 15
Label Status
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