1. Grand Prix
2. Sunshine Lady
3. To Whom All Things Concern
4. Double Steal
5. Friendship
6. Waterside
7. Taxi Blues
This disc is a welcome addition
to the discography of the now almost forgotten
woodwind master Joe Farrell. Farrell was a
multi-instrumentalist who chose to concentrate
on tenor and soprano saxophones and flute.
From the late 1960s onwards he was a highly
sought after session player who appeared on
many of the most significant recordings right
until his early demise in 1986. He played
with the Elvin Jones Trio, Chick Corea's Return
To Forever and the earliest editions of Mingus
Dynasty. My first recollection of him is as
the player who produced the wonderful obligatos
on Roberta Flack's first major album, " Quiet
Fire."
Farrell is the featured
soloist on the majority of this all star date
and acquits himself with his usual aplomb
and immaculate taste. He was a performer who
was equally at home on straight ahead jazz,
crossover music or more popular styles. He
seemed to have the ability to adapt his talent
to whatever was required without losing one
iota of integrity. Although no credit is given
in the personnel listing it is obviously Farrell
playing the wonderful flute solos on many
of the selections here.
Unlike the majority of
the recent CTI reissues, this one is made
up of original material and is none the worse
for this. The other players are a veritable
who' s who of session musicians associated
with this style, and indeed, with this particular
label. Apparently this record proved to be
not so popular at the time of its release
- hopefully this new appearance will redress
the balance.
Dick Stafford
CD Reviews
CTI 5127942 
