When
Herman originally formed his
Third Herd in 1950 (after the financial collapse of
The Second Herd), he put the emphasis on music for the dancing public first and the jazz public second. However, the jazz content was always strong and by 1954 the band was less shy to swing hard. This hard-to-find LP was one of that orchestra's finest recordings, a strong all-around set highlighted by the flag-waver "Wild Apple Honey," several
Ralph Burns arrangements and solos by such fine players as tenors
Bill Perkins and
Dick Hafer,
Cy Touff's bass trumpet,
Jack Nimitz's baritone (featured on "Sleep") and
Herman's alto and clarinet.