Woody Herman - The Fourth Herd (High Definition Remaster 2023) (2023)

Woody Herman,one of the shining lights of the big band era,has the release of 25 cuts from his 1945-47-period band,otherwise known as the First Herd and some from his Second Herd.The name"herd" was a moniker that had been kicking around the offices of "Metronome"(along with Downbeat the best source for music info) for years.It wasn't until around 1944 that the name started getting on going use in the music industry.His first well known band was referred to by many as "the band that played the blues" in the /30s and early /40s.When he switched labels from Decca to Columbia in Feb/45 he hired some of the best musicians he could find and boy what recordings came out of those sessions;and those arrangements! Fast moving and progressive swing with high end trumpets and beautiful harmonic runs,with a solid rhythmic back beat.It was the most successful band Woody ever had.Due to personal problems he disbanded the Herd in early 1947 but came back later in the year to put together another band known as the "Four Brothers" or the Second herd.Again the progressive/aggressive arrangements were on the table and the band blew with wild abandon.
The personnel on these recordings reads like a jazz dictionary but there were folks like Shorty Rogers,Stan Getz,Zoot Sims,Chubby Jackson,Dave Tough,Don Lamond and so many more.It has been said by
jazz critic/writer George Simon that the best vocalist Woody ever had was himself,and I can't agree more.With a sort of cocky growl to his voice Herman injected the right amount of tenor and umphh into his recordings to make them real winners and he is to be heard here on this CD on a number of occasions.These recordings are a kind of barometer of the times,showing how big band jazz was changing and progressing.Herman along with his fellow label mate at Columbia Harry James,would both change their styles along much the same lines.
This CD would rate much higher if it wasn't for the sound.It isn't bad but it isn't the best either.Definitive out of Europe is using records from private collections to get their source material and depending on the record the quality will vary.It must be further noted that they are dealing with Columbia and they,at the time and well into the early /50s, were well known for their "dead" sound on recordings.RCA and Decca had a much fuller overall listening experience.Definitive does their best and they have done a good job with what they have had on hand.But for a much better transfer and sound experience,seek out these recordings direct from Columbia(Sony/BMG now)from anywhere you can.Since Columbia issues have all but dried up in Canada and with few left in the U.S.,this CD issue from Definitive is the next best thing available.

TRACKLIST

1. Woody Herman - Panatela (Remastered 2023)
2. Woody Herman - Lament For Linda (Remastered 2023)
3. Woody Herman - Misery, Stay Away From My Door (Remastered 2023)
4. Woody Herman - In A Misty Mood (Remastered 2023)
5. Woody Herman - Catty' Corner (Remastered 2023)
6. Woody Herman - The Thirteenth Instant (Remastered 2023)
7. Woody Herman - The Magpie (Remastered 2023)
8. Woody Herman - Blues For Indian Jim (Remastered 2023)
9. Woody Herman - The Devil And The Stoker (Remastered 2023)
10. Woody Herman - The Swing Machine (Remastered 2023)
11. Woody Herman - Summer Nights (Remastered 2023)
12. Woody Herman - Johnny On The Spot (Remastered 2023)