Live At The Peacock Lane 1958

This live performance by Woody Herman & His Orchestra was privately recorded by Wally Heider for the bandleader, who didn't necessarily have a commercial release in mind but enjoyed having his group documented, according to liner note writer Ed Burke. Trombonist Bill Harris is the featured soloist on many of the CD's ten tracks, with the usual lush harmonies supplied by arranger Ralph Burns and others who wrote for the Herman band. The program includes standards such as "Skylark" and jazz favorites like "Lullaby of Birdland" and Horace Silver's "Opus de Funk," along with band staples including Burns' "Bijou" and Manny Albam's "Captain Ahab." Herman steps out front on alto sax to solo on "Barfly Blues"; unfortunately, the CD's packaging fails to identify any of the other musicians present on the date. But the excellent performances and well-balanced recording will definitely make this a worthwhile purchase for fans of Woody Herman. ~ Ken Dryden