Joe Farrell was a
saxophonist and occasional flute player who got his start in the 1960s,
playing with Charles Mingus, Jaki Byard, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis
Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson, and many others. Though
his recording career began in 1960, he is best known as a founding
member of Chick Corea's original Return to Forever in 1970. Joe has
also appeared on dozens of pop, R&B, and rock records artists including Laura Nyro and James Brown.
'Outback' from, 1970 is the second and, to my ears, the finest of Joe's dates for Creed Taylor's CTI label. Joe pushes the envelope not only of his own previous jazz ideas and techniques, but also CTI's envelope, as well. 'Outback' does not sound like a typical CTI affair, that said, Creed Taylor's signature sound and production is all over it.
The album was recorded in a quartet setting in 1970, with Joe Farrell on tenor and soprano saxophones, flute, high flute and piccolo. Sidemen are Chick Corea on Fender Rhodes piano, Buster Williams on bass, Elvin Jones on drums and Airto Moreira on percussion. Joe certainly knows how to pick 'em, doesn’t he?
To me, Joe never hit this peak again in his career, and this ranks with any of the work the other members of the all-star group would ever do.
This really is one of those genuine five-star albums that should be in any jazz collection.
'Outback' was recorded at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ on
November 16, 1970.
The freeload is a Sony Masterworks release from their 'CTI Records 40th Anniversary' series, released in 2011.
For the freeload, tell what has been your favorite freeloads from this site, so far?
To be honest, I haven't listened to any of the Freeloads yet. But I look forward to hearing the new & improved Robert Johnson. Also the Bling Willie McTell. I do enjoy reading your descriptions and the comments are always entertaining. Keep up the good work. I'm just a little slow to burn to disc. I'll get back to it but right now it's Spring.
ReplyDeleteOops, that's Blind Willie not Bling Willie. Kinda funny when I think about it.
DeleteBling Willie McTell sounds like he's a jeweler.
DeleteWell I could say Ole & Mosaic, which are 2 of my favorite albums. But since I've already have them in my collection, I will pick something that I hadn't previously heard: the Monk Prestige set. As always, thanks Babs.
ReplyDeleteGbrand
I'm surprised how much of ur freebies I already have. one I've enjoyed is the Led Zeppelin show Neal t
ReplyDeleteMore Led Zeppelin shows, are forthcoming.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOut of three grandkids he's my only long haired guitar player.
DeleteCongratulations to you and your grandson, you must be proud!. With a master's degree in applied mathematics, he will enjoy various employment opportunities.
DeleteThanks for the kind words, Babs. I'll delete my original comment now.
DeleteYou realize you posted already a 100 freeloads here Babs?! Which one I liked the most... Tough one, perhaps the last Monk set or the Slim Harpo one or ....
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize...wow.
DeleteOh yeah, Slim Harpo. Guess I'm more into the blues than jazz. Grateful Dead is great but if I already have something I don't get it again. I have limited bandwidth. I have to pick and choose. Wish I could get more.
ReplyDeleteIt's 4AM. What the hell am I doing up? I'm watching The Andy Griffith Show. Opie just got a D in arithmetic.
ReplyDeleteAnd Andy makes it worse...
DeleteMy daughters once came home with a stray cat who allegedly "Followed us home". She was an older female cat, who we named Aunt Bee.
And then there was this Ant-Bee
Deletehttps://www.allmusic.com/artist/ant-bee-mn0001845416
Thanks Babs, very many, in no particular order. Art Pepper, Donald Byrd & Pepper Adams, Miles on the Corner, Nick Drake (a surprise to me), Old & In The Way, Mississippi John Hurt, Elmore, The Great Deceiver, Nina & Billie. And I love Joe Farrell, but Moon Germs is my favorite of his albums. Thanks Babs Nice place you have here.
ReplyDeleteWhat freeloads? I came here for an argument!
ReplyDeleteNo you didn't.
DeleteYes he did.
DeleteI loved John Lee Hooker's "Alone: Live at Hunter College" for its intimacy and Hooker's idiosyncratic performance—untethered by backup was when he was often at his best, and this is a priceless snapshot of the artist still becoming familiar to white audiences. I have other faves you've posted too, mostly stuff I had, but your bits and bytes were better pressed.
ReplyDeleteWilson Pickett's "Hey Jude" album. Very, very tasty and I had never heard it before.
ReplyDeleteBut I could also name a dozen others. I also appreciate the context you provide and your personal recollections.
Link
ReplyDeletehttps://we.tl/t-0LY3tbvKai
I'm looking forward to listening the “Outback”. So far, “Joe Farrell Quartet” from 1970 has been my favorite. Of your offerings I've liked “Old And New Dreams” the best, although it's really difficult to decide.
ReplyDeleteLady Day....
ReplyDeleteSo much great music shared here, some new to me, some upgrades of old favorites. It's not my favorite but given the circumstances I listened to it under, the Grateful Dead's Pacific Northwest 73-74 collection was definitely an amazing listen and that coming from someone who has never enjoyed the Dead much before. Thanks for all the great music, including this one which is in the "new to me" category.
ReplyDeleteA lot of what I have gotten here are copies of lps that I already have, but they are a nice audio upgrade. The one I didn't have that I have enjoyed the most is the Charles Tolliver Mosaic set.
ReplyDeleteThe recent Monk includes the studio working take of Light Blue: second to none as far as "you are there." Thank you.
ReplyDelete