[Dixielandjazz] Woody Herman's Clarinet

[Harold Smith]

IMHO Woody had a superbly full, round sound on ballads, but was rather
hackneyed when it came to taking a jazz chorus.  

When I was about 10 years old (1940), I thought Woody's work on "Golden
Wedding" with Frankie Carlson on drums was one very Hot Potato.  For
those of you who might have access to the Herman band's recording of
'Tis  Autumn, you'll never hear a sweeter clarinet than Woody's opening
8 bars, and his vocal was just wonderful.  That recording was made in
1941, I believe, and released on a blue label Decca.  I recall that the
Walter Donaldson tune "My Mom"  was on the other side.

Harold Smith