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, and
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
Paul Horn and
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.