In bright orange jackets and waistcoats, Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass were standing on the stage of the famed Ed Sullivan Show. Trumpets at the ready, they burst into a rendition of ‘A Taste of Honey.’ The song might be best known for the renditions by bands like The Supremes, the Four Tops, and The Beatles, so this brass-only instrumental version may sound like a complete twist to some. However, listeners may be surprised to find that this version is closer to the original than any of the others.
Music Man fans who know their theatre history may know that ‘A Taste of Honey’ was not originally a vocal number. It was an instrumental piece composed for the Broadway production of a musical that bore the same name as the song. While the first vocal version of the song was recorded in 1961, Herb Alpert’s brass version came later, in 1965, and became the most popular instrumental rendition. Its popularity continues, as its appearance on Ed Sullivan has now received over 3M views online.
I, like most people today, am more familiar with the vocal versions of this song, so it was fascinating to hear the Herb Alpert version performed live. I loved how the brass instruments brought a bright sense of energy to the song, and how much energy the musicians played with. I was particularly entertained to see Herb embrace his position as the band’s frontman, bringing the musicians to a complete stop and then, with a wave of his hand, conducting them back into playing with gusto.
The first vocal rendition of the song in 1961 was recorded by Billy Dee Williams. It was then taken up by an enormous number of ’60s pop stars as cover versions, though only minimal footage of these versions exists. The Herb Alpert version was also not the only time this song was performed live on The Ed Sullivan Show. Harry James and his Orchestra brought their lively instrumental rendition to the show, which was broadcast to the whole world and captured for us to enjoy sixty years on.
We know our Music Man readers love to see different musicians’ takes on a famous song, but it is astonishing to see how many people have decided to put their own twist on ‘A Taste of Honey.’ While the pop versions of this song may have stood the test of time with modern music fans, it is wonderful to be reminded of which version truly resonated with people at the time of its release.
With five weeks at the top of 1965’s easy listening chart, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, and winning four Grammy Awards, including one for Record of the Year, Herb Alpert’s rendition may just have to be considered the ultimate rendition of ‘A Taste of Honey.’
Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass proved on Ed Sullivan that instrumental brilliance can be as soulful and theatrical as any vocal hit. Their “A Taste of Honey” remains a joyful, commanding performance — a reminder of brass-led showmanship at its best. For more on this performance and the band’s legacy, check the useful links below to discover more.