Much like Benny Goodman’s outfit continued to tour long after the heyday of swing had passed, Woody’s “Herd” was kept alive and well by his former bandmates. The Stereophonic Sound of Woody Herman – by the Members of the Woody Herman Orchestra – is an excellent and highly swinging sample of the post-Herman Herd. This rip was taken from the Bright Orange label LP re-issue of the original Crown label recording.
Personnel:
John La Porte – Clarinet, Alto
Al Cohn – Tenor
Joe Romano – Tenor
Don Lamphere – Tenor
Marty Flax – Baritone
Danny Stiles – Trumpet
Bernie Glow – Trumpet
Hal Posey – Trumpet
Al Forte – Trumpet
Willie Thomas – Trumpet
Alvin Stewart – Trumpet
Frank Rehak – Trombone
Bill Byres – Trombone
Wayne Andre – Trombone
Charley Henry – Trombone
Eddie Costa – Vibes
Bill Potts – Piano
Jack Six – Bass
Jim Campbell – Drums
Track Listing:
1) Four Brothers
2) Blue Flame
3) Wild Root
4) Bijou
5) Blowin Up a Storm
6) Woodchoppers Ball
7) Northwest Passage
8) Apple Honey
9) Goosey Gander
Liner Notes:
When someone speaks of “The Herd” you know it has to be the Woody Herman “Herd”. For noe one else can ever deserve this accolade . . . and accolade it is.
The “First Herd” (there have been at least four since then) roared its way across the country . . . the entire dancing nation shrieked with joy. For thi was it. The was the band . . . the new one that people had been waiting for.
Woodrow plays a great clarinet, with a wailing blues sound that is so unsinuating that even the great Igor Stravinsky once wrote a composition for the band (”Ebony Concerto”). But in addition to Woody and his playing, he has the knack of filling the band with the absolute end as far as side men are concerned. Shall we name a few greats? Chubby Jackson, Bill Harries, Pete and Conte Condoli, Jimmy Giuffre, plus a whole gang more.
And so it is that this album swings like it does. Every man is re-living a band that had that musical spark. Each man is re-creating the feelings he knew when the crowds would cheer on the “Herd”. For Woodrow Herman and his men they did cheer on.
The titles alone are enough to let you know that this is the tribute that really lives. And speaking of that, let me just briefly note that one of the tunes – a Jimmy Giuffre standard called “Four Brothers” (Referring to the sax section, of course) was originally written and called “Four Mothers”, but somebody squelched it. I think this will clear that up.
Another thing that should be taken up here. You may have thought for a long time that “Woodchoppers’ Ball” was Woody’s theme . . . but it’s not, nor was it ever. The theme song of the Herman “Herds” is also included, naturally, in this tribute. It’s called “Blue Flame“. Just thought you might like to know.
So live a little . . . if even in retrospect . . . with the members of the first “Herds” and a tribute to Woodrow “Woody” Herman.
I am the creator and site administrator at The Basement Rug. I have been collecting LP's and CD's for more than 30 years. I 
