While this fine double album is great to listen to, its real value is as a historical document. Bringing together the known recordings from a 1946 performance of Woody Herman and the Herd at Carnegie Hall (some of which have never been released, others of which were previously scattered across two albums), this album marks several important moments in the history of Herman's music and jazz in general. At the time of this performance, Carnegie Hall was still the exclusive bastion of classical music -- though Herman's band ...
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While this fine double album is great to listen to, its real value is as a historical document. Bringing together the known recordings from a 1946 performance of Woody Herman and the Herd at Carnegie Hall (some of which have never been released, others of which were previously scattered across two albums), this album marks several important moments in the history of Herman's music and jazz in general. At the time of this performance, Carnegie Hall was still the exclusive bastion of classical music -- though Herman's band had already played there, this performance still marked one of the first jazz concerts to be performed at the famed New York venue. Perhaps further highlighting Herman's respect in the classical community, this show was also the debut of a piece composed for the Herman band by Igor Stravinsky, titled "The Ebony Concerto." Unfortunately, the pieces of the recording of the concerto at this performance were lost, so it is only reproduced in fragments on this recording. The mood of the time is captured well, both in the restrained yet joyous performance of Herman and the Herd, and in the comments that he makes to the audience, including a rather amusing bit where he makes a speech about preserving the values of democracy for the younger generation and quotes that famed fighter for democratic values, Frank Sinatra. Overall, this recording captures the band in a shining moment, when they were at their creative and commercial peak, only months before they would disband (due to unfortunate family problems). Verve has presented well-designed and informative packaging, including liner notes which give some sense of the meaning of this concert and, thankfully, take time to explain the quality of the recording (which ranges from average to truly awful, mostly because of surface noise -- unavoidable due to the technology of the time). Reissues of older material from popular jazz artists often tread in the territory of cheap copies and useless rehashes, but this is a collection that has some true worth. ~ Stacia Proefrock, Rovi
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Add this copy of At Carnegie Hall 1946 to cart. $7.94, good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Universal IMS.
Add this copy of Live at Carnegie Hall 1946 to cart. $8.74, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Polygram Records.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Live at Carnegie Hall 1946 to cart. $8.74, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Polygram Records.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Live at Carnegie Hall 1946 to cart. $37.45, like new condition, Sold by Griffin Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Stamford, CT, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Polygram Records.
Add this copy of Live at Carnegie Hall 1946 to cart. $37.65, new condition, Sold by Service First Media rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Taylorsville, KY, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Universal Distribution.
