Customer Reviews

Thundering Herds 1945

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This is, in my opinon, the finest big-band of the post-war 40's, bar none. Herman, who was "terribly impressed" with the voicings of the Ellington band, felt there was something beyond "The Band That Plays The Blues". Featuring the brilliant rhythm section of pianist/writer-arranger Ralph Burns, bassist Chubby Jackson, guitarist Billy Bauer and legendary drummer Dave Tough, this big band set the standard that virtually every other major big band tried to emulate, including Boyd Raeburn and Buddy Rich. With additional arrangements by a young trumpeter by the name of Neal Hefti, this band had a high-flying excitement that is hard to match in any era. While not strictly or even occasionally a 'bop' band (that was left to the Second Herd, the "Four Brothers" Band) the imaginative writing and high musicianship mark this band as unique in its time. The famous sidemen featured in these recordings are too many to list; suffice it to say you will recognize many players. My favorite tracks include The Good Earth, the ethereal Backtalk, Wild Root, Northwest Passage, Four Brothers - there isn't a bad chart on the CD. And, if you want to know why Dave Tough was held in such high esteem, listen to Bijou - it doesn't get any better than that. Absolutely first-rate, and historically significant for anyone building a jazz library.

My earlier review on this site only noted that the original information posted by Amazon about this CD was wrong (it referred to a 1974 recording). I had the priviledge of having Woody Herman autograph this album in 1966 when it actually was an album (two records), before CDs were even thought of. This is classic 2nd Herd music, with top flight musicians showing how bebop was beginning to influence all big band music. If you don't enjoy this record - you don't like jazz!!

Great bands, the best of charts (arrangements), musicians, solos and choice of tunes. A thoroughly enjoyable CD and the Columbia Jazz Masterpiece booklet is very informative.

Please correct your site. The review listed for the album "The Thundering Herds, 1945-1947" is for another record (listed right above this album in your Herman records) "The Thundering Herd" from 1974.