Woody Herman - The Woody Herman Shows 1944-1946 (2003)

This valuable CD has a variety of radio performances from Woody Herman's First Herd taken from the Old Gold and Wild Root series. Most of the renditions were formerly quite rare and they feature the classic band at its best, with such soloists as trumpeters Sonny Berman and Pete Candoli, trombonist Bill Harris, tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips, and vibraphonist Red Norvo. The First Herd had a spirit and a deep wit that has rarely been heard in most big bands. In addition to Frances Wayne (who is featured on "You've Got Me Crying Again"), there is a guest vocal apiece from Mildred Bailey and Jo Stafford. But it is the instrumentals (some of which feature the Woodchoppers, a small group taken out of the big band) that consistently take honors, including "One, Two, Three, Four, Jump," "Flip the Whip," "Blowin' Up a Storm," "I Got Rhythm," and "Half Past Jumping Time." Highly recommended.