Search - Woody Herman :: Keep on Keepin On: 1968-1970

Don't Overlook This Album

Fresh Scent | 05/14/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For fans of jazz-rock, the music on this CD may have fallen through the cracks thirty years ago, but now is the perfect time to catch up on Herman's terrific take on some late 1960's music. This compilation is composed of tracks from three albums Herman's big band released between 1968-1970. Jazz snobs probably ignored the albums then, and maybe even now, but that's their loss. Somebody bought the records then, as they all sold respectably at a time when jazz, especially the type of big band jazz Herman played had long since fallen on hard times. A couple of tunes included here don't work "Smiling Phases" will have you running to put on Blood, Sweat & Tears superb cover of the Traffic song) and "Aquarius" is forgettable, but the rest is first-rate. The fourteen-minute "Blues In The Night" is delightful, with superb playing, and "Light My Fire" may not make you forget the Doors original but Woody's Thundering Herd blows up a storm. The liner notes are well-written and informative and overall, this is one of the most enjoyable collections I've heard in quite some time. Enjoy!"