Cellist
Fred Katz
is best remembered as a sideman with
the Chico Hamilton Quintet
,
Paul Horn
, and
Pete Rugolo
, though on this famous, long unavailable record of his own, he serves as conductor and arranger rather than player.
Folk Songs for Far Out Folk
consists of his tantalizing, imaginative adaptations of African, Hebrew, and American
folk
tunes. The musical cast varies with each group of selections. The three African songs, highlighted by the explosive
"Mate'ka,"
include trumpeters
Pete Candoli
Don Fagerquist
Irving Goodman
, with a six-man percussion section that features
Larry Bunker
and
Nat King Cole
sideman
Jack Costanzo
. Four American songs include treatment of
"Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child"
that alternates between brooding and upbeat cool, with vibraphonist
Gene Estes
, pianist
Johnny Williams
, and guitarist
Billy Bean
lending a hand. The two Hebrew songs focus on reeds exclusively (excepting
Mel Pollen
's bass). The playful setting of
"Ray's Nigun"
showcases
Justin Gordon
on bass clarinet with
Buddy Collette
providing whimsical accompaniment on flutes. This CD reissue by
Reboot Stereophonic
expands considerably on the original
Warner Bros.
LP, adding updated liner notes and photos of
Katz
in addition to reproducing the original notes and
poetry
that were part of the original package. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden