Woody Herman And His Thundering Herd - Keep On Keepin' On (1968-1970)

After the period of the Young Thundering Herd (documented by Philips and Columbia) and prior to his projects for Fantasy, Woody Herman recorded three generally commercial albums for Cadet. Herman always believed in having his band stay updated and modern, and he supported his younger musicians in their quest to perform new and current music. His output for Cadet, however, was quite streaky, ranging from worthwhile new originals to covers of pop and rock tunes that sometimes sounded a bit awkward. This single CD from 1998 has six of the ten selections originally on Light My Fire, four of the ten tunes from Heavy Exposure, and three of the six numbers (plus a previously unreleased "The Indigenous Artifact") from 1970's Woody. Completists will want to search for the three earlier LPs but should be warned that they are quite erratic and often dated. Even in this best-of collection, there are some throwaways (such as "My Cherie Amour" and "Aquarius"), but the better selections ("Keep On Keepin' On" which has some heated Sal Nistico tenor; "Impressions of Strayhorn," and Alan Broadbent's massive everything-but-the-kitchen-sink reworking of "Blues In The Night") make the set overall better than expected. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Chess\GRP Records, GRD-818, 1998
Recorded October, 1968 - 30th October, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois 

Musicians:
Woody Herman - Clarinet, Alto, Soprano & Tenor Saxes
Gary Grant, Harry Hall, Sal Marquez, Rich Murphy, Nat Pavone - Trumpet
Tom Harrell, Tony Klatka - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Tom "Bones" Malone, Ira Nedus, Vincent Prudente, Henry Southall - Trombone
Steve Lederer, Frank Vicari, Frank Tiberi, Sal Nistico - Tenor Saxophone
Alan Gauvin, Jim Thomas - Baritone Saxophone
Donny Hathaway - Organ
John Hicks - Piano
Mick Goodrick, Phil Upchurch - Guitar
A'nt Idy Harper, Arthur Harper, Gene Perla - Bass
Ed Soph - Drums
Morris Jennings - Drums, Percussion
Marshall Thompson - Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Light My Fire {Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Bob Krieger, John Densmore} (3:37)
02. Keep On Keepin' On {Richard Evans} (4:19)
03. Impressions Of Strayhorn {Richard Evans} (3:27)
04. Pontieo {Edú Lobo, Capinan} (3:46)
05. I Say A Little Prayer {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (3:35)
06. Hush { William "Mickey" Stevenson} (4:18)
07. My Cherie Amour {Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy} (2:48)
08. Catch That Bird {Loonis McGlohon} (2:54)
09. I Can't Get Next To You {Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield} (2:57)
10. Aquarius {James Rado, Gerome Ragni, Gait MacDermot} (4:31)
11. Blues In The Night {Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen} (13:43)
12. A Time For Love {Paul Francis Webster, Johnny Mandel} (6:49)
13. Smiling Phases {Steve Winwood, James Capaldi, Chris Wood} (5:27)
14. The Indigenous Artifact {Alan Broadbent} (6:23) 

Total Time: 68:40 

Credits:
Producer [Original Albums] - Richard Evans
Reissue Producer - Orrin Keepnews
Digital Transfer, Audio Enhancement, Remastering - Erick Labson
A&R [Direction] - Steve Backer
Art Direction, Design - Hollis King, Kerosene Halo
Photography - Chuck Stewart
Liner Notes [Annotation] - Jack Tracy 

Notes:
#1-6 originally on Woody Herman - Light My Fire.
#7-10 originally on Woody Herman - Heavy Exposure.
#11-13 originally on Woody Herman - Woody.
#14 previously unissued. 

Light My Fire

Woody Herman - Light My Fire (1968) [vinyl]

Light my fire, indeed! Woody's been lighting fires for years. But his new torch lights up an infernal blaze of new colors and sounds. Swinging new fires are being lit by Woody's fresh "now" music every night as he searingly blasts through a heretofore perplexing membrane to reach the young generation. His forces have already emerged as the most fiery and communicative big band to light up thousands of students of the likes of Miami University, University of Oklahoma, and University of Toledo among other college and high school bastions of rock fever. They have not allowed Woody's band to get off the bandstand during dance-concerts - right through intermissions non-stop, even though established rock groups have been co-featured on the billings. Bear in mind, this album is not merely the result of enthusiastically-held desire of Woody, of Dick La Palm - Cadet executive who is Woody's close friend and fan, and of Richard Evans the talented, resourceful arranger of the album's tunes, but it is more vital that it is a true reflection of the incredible, volatile chemistry existing between Woody's "now thing" and the young people's "now thing". They all dig it! The amazing Woody Herman has another raging runaway gas of a band! So, get this fuming hot album and get lit up!! ~ Herg Wong, Liner Notes. 

Cadet Records, LPS-819, 1969
Chess Records, CRLS 4544, 1969
Recorded October, 1968 at Ter Mar Studios, Chicago, Illinois 

Musicians:
Woody Herman - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Gary Grant, Henry Hall, James Bossert, Nat Pavone, Sal Marquez - Trumpet
Robert Burgess, Henry Southall, Vincent Prudente - Trombone
Frank Vicari, Sal Nistico, Steve Lederer, Thomas Boras - Reeds
John Hicks - Piano
Phil Upchurch - Guitar
Arthur Harper - Bass
Ed Soph - Drums
Morris Jennings - Percussion 

Tracks: [Details] 

A1. Ponteio {Edu Lobo, Capinam} (3:34)
Soloist: Frank Vicari - Tenor Saxophone
Soloist: Nat Pavone - Trumpet 

A2. Here I Am, Baby {Smokey Robinson} (3:48)
Soloist: Frank Vicari - Tenor Saxophone 

A3. Hard To Keep My Mind On You {Jake Holmes} (3:31)
Soloist: Woody Herman - Soprano Saxophone 

A4. MacArthur Park {Jim Webb} (8:33)
Soloist [Pt. 1]: Woody Herman - Alto Saxophone
Soloist [Pt. 1]: Robert Burgess - Trombone
Soloist [Pt. 2]: Henry Hall - Trumpet (1)
Soloist [Pt. 2]: Sal Marquez - Trumpet (2)
Soloist [Pt. 2]: Gary Grant - Trumpet (3)
Soloist [Pt. 2]: Nat Pavone - Trumpet (4)
Soloist [Pt. 2]: James Bossert - Trumpet (5)
Soloist [Pt. 2]: John Hicks - Piano
Soloist [Pt. 2]: Steve Lederer - Tenor Saxophone 

B1. Light My Fire {Jim Morrison, John Densmore, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger} (3:34)
Soloist [1]: Sal Marquez - Trumpet
Soloist [2]: Henry Hall - Trumpet
Soloist: Robert Burgess - Trombone 

B2. I Say A Little Prayer {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (3:31)
Soloist: Frank Vicari - Tenor Saxophone
Soloist: Henry Hall - Trumpet 

B3. Hush {William Stevenson} (4:14)
Soloist: Sal Nistico - Tenor Saxophone
Soloist: Henry Hall - Trumpet 

B4. For Love Of Ivy {Bob Russell, Quincy Jones} (3:33)
Soloist: Frank Vicari - Tenor Saxophone
Soloist: Gary Grant - Trumpet 

B5. Impression Of Strayhorn {Richard Evans} (3:23)
Soloist: Woody Herman - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone 

B6. Keep On Keepin' On {Richard Evans} (4:14)
Soloist: Sal Nistico - Tenor Saxophone
Soloist: Henry Hall - Trumpet 

Total Time: 41:55

Credits:
Producer, Arranger - Richard Evans
Recording Engineer - Stu Black
Supervisor [Album] - Dick LaPalm
Design [Album] - Hurvis, Binzer & Churchill
Photography [Cover] - Peter Coutroulis
Liner Notes - Herb Wong

Woody Herman - Heavy Exposure (1969) [re-rip]

Ever since listening to a few Sal Nistico albums I was intrigued to find some examples of his work with other bands. Invariably this led to his time with Woody Herman and this particular LP. Nistico on this album puts in a few unique solos, but overall, this album is a Big Band Soul-Jazz rendition. As a result, it is quite a distinctive LP in Woody Herman’s discography. Produced and arranged by Richard Evans who also composed “Lancaster Gate” and “The Hut”. Taken as a whole it is a greatly entertaining album with a big sounding groove. Ripped from a well-loved LP, Enjoy!

---------------------------------
Cadet Records, LPS 835, 1969
Recorded 2nd-3rd September, 1969 at Ter Mar Studios, Chicago, Illinois 

Personnel:
Woody Herman - Saxophone, Clarinet
Alan Gauvin, Frank Vicari, Sal Nistico, Steve Lederer - Reeds
Bobby Burgess, Pete Dalbis, Tom Malone - Trombone
Bill Chase, Harry Hall, Jeff Brillinger, Richard Murphy, Rigby Powell,
William Byrne - Trumpet
Donny Hathaway - Organ
John Hicks - Piano
Phil Upchurch - Guitar
Gene Perla - Bass
Edward Soph - Drums (#A1,A5,B1,B2,B4,B5)
Morris Jennings - Drums (#A2-A4, A6,B3)
Marshall Thompson, Richard Powell - Percussion 

Track Listing:

A1. Flying Easy {Donny Hathaway} (3:09)
Soloists: Bobby Burgess, Frank Vicari, Woody Herman
A2. I Can't Get Next To You {Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield} (2:52)
Soloist: Sal Nistico
A3. Aquarius {Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado} (4:26)
Soloist: Woody Herman
A4. Memphis Underground {Herbie Mann} (3:30)
Soloists: Bill Chase, Frank Vicari, Woody Herman
A5. High School Hero {Jake Holmes} (2:59)
Soloist: Alan Gauvin
A6. Lancaster Gate {Richard Evans} (3:17)
Soloists: Bobby Burgess, Harry Hall, Woody Herman
-------------------------------------------------------------------
B1. The Hut {Richard Evans} (3:42)
Soloists: Bill Chase, Bobby Burgess, Harry Hall, Sal Nistico
B2. My Cherie Amour {Henry Cosby, Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy} (2:43)
Soloists: Bobby Burgess, Woody Herman
B3. It's Your Thing {O'Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley} (2:58)
Soloists: Bill Chase, Sal Nistico
B4. Catch That Bird {Loonis McGlohon} (2:49)
Soloists: Bill Chase, Bobby Burgess, Frank Vicari
B5. Sex Machine {Sylvester Stewart} (5:48)
Soloists: Alan Gauvin, Bill Chase, Bobby Burgess, Phil Upchurch, Woody Herman

Total Time: 38:13

Credits:
Producer, Arranger - Richard Evans
Engineer - Ron Malo, Stu Black
Album Supervisor - Dick LoPalm
Cover Photo - Vincent P. Lucarelli
Album Design - Dick Fowler

"Excellent stuff!; We used to pass this one by all the time, thinking that it was some sort of fake jazz album -- but these days, we love it to death, and listen to it all the time! Woody Herman's band meets the soulful arrangements of Richard Evans, and the whole thing cooks nicely in the Chess studios in Chicago. The result is a tasty blend of soulful big band tracks, with a strident groove that Woody never duplicated, and with the kind of baroque arrangements that Evans was bringing to some of the best soul work on Cadet at the time. Donny Hathaway plays organ, and the group does a killer version of his own "Flying Easy". Other titles include "The Hut", "Sex Machine", and "It's Your Thing" -- but it's all great!" ~ Dusty Groove.

Woody Herman Phillips Recordings

Hey gang!!!  Sorry for my absence, but I come baring gifts.  These two albums come from a much less examined period of Herman and his Herd - but an equally rewarding one to be sure.  I have two distinctive sides of Woody on offer today, a quiet quartet session and a roaring big band set.

Mosaic Records offered a small glimpse into this period with one of their 4 album, "Mosaic Select" sets.  This should send some indication to the importance and excellence of the music.  That said there will be no digital remastering here - just good old wax as we all know and love.

The album "1964" cleaned up wonderfully, but the quartet album still has some blemishes.  Both are in glorious mono sound, infact, they are excellent examples of just how incredible mono can be.  Lots of dynamic punch and space within the soundstage.  They have been ripped at 24/48 and transferred to FLAC for your convenience.  Of course, the full scans are included at 300 dpi... enjoy!!!

Swing Low, Sweet Clarinet

Herman took time off from leading his big band to participate in this unusual quartet session. Sticking exclusively to clarinet (although never on the same level as Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw), he shows himself to be a fine improviser and an expressive player who gives fresh interpretations to a variety of standards, some closely associated with BG and Shaw. Nat Pierce leads the fine rhythm section on this out-of-print but worthy LP. - Scott Yanow / AMG

Phillips PHM 200-004
1962

Woody Herman, clarinet;  Nat Pierce, piano;  Chuck Andrus, bass;  Gus Johnson, drums.

A1 Swing Low, Sweet Clarinet 3:10
A2 Rose Room 2:10
A3 Sweet Lorraine 3:01
A4 Blue Moon 3:15
A5 Begin The Beguine 2:57
A6 Pee Wee Blues 3:03
B1 Don't Be That Way 2:55
B2 Someday Sweetheart 3:25
B3 Mood Indigo 3:21
B4 Summit Ridge Drive 3:02
B5 On The Sunny Side Of The Street 2:12
B6 Alexandra 2:53

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Woody Herman : 1964

All of Woody Herman's recordings for Philips (which regrettably remain out-of-print and unissued on CD) are excellent. He was leading one of the finest orchestras of his long career, playing both current and older tunes with creativity (helped out greatly by Nat Pierce's arrangements) and featuring such talented soloists as trumpeter Bill Chase, trombonist Phil Wilson and tenor great Sal Nistico. The release ranges from "Deep Purple" and "After You've Gone" to Oscar Peterson's "Halleluah Time" and even "A Taste of Honey"; everything works. - Scott Yanow / AMG

Phillips PHM 200-118
1964

Baritone Saxophone – Nick Brignola
Bass – Chuck Andrus
Drums – Jake Hanna
Leader, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Woody Herman
Piano – Nat Pierce
Saxophone – Sal Nistico
Tenor Saxophone – Carmen Leggio, John Stevens
Trombone – Henry Southall, Kenny Wenzel, Phil Wilson
Trumpet – Bill Chase, Billy Hunt, Danny Nolan, Gerald Lamy, Paul Fontaine

A1 Hallelujah Time 3:23

A2 Deep Purple 3:42

A3 Jazz Hoot 4:30

A4 A Taste Of Honey 3:13

A5 Satin Doll 3:18

B1 After You've Gone 5:08

B2 The Strut 3:07

B3 My Wish 3:28

B4 Cousins 5:53