Customer Reviews

Folk Songs for Far Out Folk

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Fred Katz is one of and I don't use this term loosely, most original, creative and far-out jazz composer's and arranger's of all time. That may be hard to take in but if you give his works a listen you will understand. His incorporation of the cello into the jazz front line was brilliant and his instrumentation ensembles that he combines to create his sound is stunning. Along with the Chico Hamilton Quintet he created the film score for the great film (The Sweet Smell of Success) starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis. Also scoring for orchestra was Elmer Bernstein. He also scored the films (The Little Shop of Horrors) and (Bucket of Blood). His work is far understated and somewhat neglected and this is a shame. He ranks up there with some of the greatest jazz composers of all time, I'm very serious. This is one of his most popular and well known works along with Zen. His use of unusual combinations of instruments makes for very inventive, creative and enjoyable listening. If you like far-out and simply stunning progressive jazz at it's finest, give this a shot. I think that you will be amazed at how good it is. Check out his other works too if you like this one. He is one of my favorite jazz composer/arranger/musicians. I would give this 10 stars if that were possible. Do yourself a favor and grab this recording quick. Check out my other reviews.

John W. Shearer

Who knew what had happened to Fred Katz after departing from the Chico Hamilton group? Great creativity!