Kick This Ass, For A Man

In over five decades as a leader, Woody Herman continually reinvented what it meant to be a big band, and maintained a high level of musical excellence throughout.

Here are two wildly swinging tracks from the Thundering Herd of the early seventies that jumped out and kicked my ass last week (followed by the originals for a look at what artful arranging can do).

I Can't Get Next To You was written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield and first recorded by the Temptations in 1964.

America Drinks And Goes Home was written by Frank Zappa and appeared on Absolutely Free! in 1967.

Woody Herman Tuesday

I Can't Get Next To You
America Drinks And Goes Home