Hi all,

a new release on Radiovinilemania in Italy:

 

 

Let me know if you like it!!

 

Ciao Ciao Pietro

 

Reviewed By: Geannine Reid, geanninereid@...

by a courtesy of  http://www.ejazznews.com 

 

Drummer, Clark Woodard, began his relationship with saxophonist, Joe Farrell, in late 1983 and the beginning of 1984. Farrell and Woodard were roommates at the Mt. Washington House, in Southern California, which resulted in further chemistry for musical exploration. Woodard had been playing in the Joe Farrell Quartet for approximately 3 months when F! errell landed a gig at a venue called Charley?s Place in Oxnard, CA. this would be their first experience with pianist/vocalist, John Larkin, who then became one of the semi-permanent members of the Joe Farrell Quartet. These experiences as a Quartet would culminate into the Clark Woodard and Joe Farrell disc being released on BCS Records in April of 2006.


A chance to get into the studio gave the group an opportunity to get more of their ideas documented ! on tape. With less than 24 hours notice the group quickly pulled their resources together, with Larkin planted on the studio floor still writing out parts, while the rest of the group set up for studio time. With no rehearsal the group embarked on the journey of improvisation. ?Softly as in a Morning Sunrise,? was normally their opening tune and became the warm up tune for this session to get the group focused and settled and the levels for recording set. The warm up cut turned out so well, it found its place among the other intended cuts for the album.

Every take on the Clark Woodard and Joe Farrell CD is a first take with all members? sight reading their parts except for John Larkin. It?s true improvisation in its purest format. No rehearsal, there were only small conversations about endings and a few segues, there was not any actual playing rehearsals, which makes this recording even more remarkable. Many of these tunes are extremely difficult. The group did try second and third takes on a couple of cuts, but they could never recreate the spontaneity or energy of the original takes, which is a testament to the true nature of jazz. All of the tunes, except ?Angels Flight,? were recorded in one night and one ! afternoon at Central Sound Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

Later the group returned to Blue Dolphin Studio in Los Angeles, CA. and recorded several additional tracks. On the upcoming Clark Woodard and Joe Farrell CD, the cut ?Angels Flight,? is used from the Blue Dolphin Studios recording as a part of the release. This would be the last time that Joe Farrell recorded with anyone ever again, due to his passing on January 10, 1986 in Los Angeles, CA. These recordings were also completed in one night keeping the spontaneity of the first recordings in mind, hence ?Angels ! Flight,? perfectly fit into the balance of the recording.

The Clark Woodard and Joe Farrell disc weaves its way through raw energy tackling four well placed standards within the scope of the release. Five originals adorn the disc with intricacies of composition and at times neck breaking speed. This is not a CD for the faint at heart or the occasional jazz listener. This is a CD that exhibits burning endurance and harmonic complexities.

Pianist, John Larkin, takes the seat in the vocal chair. His vocal approach is also not the norm; his grit and moxie shine through on Chic Corea?s ?500 miles high.? ?The Misfit,? a turbulent eclectic journey musically and lyrically tells a powerful story of the meaning of jazz. Larkin also showcases his compositional skills on his original Charley?s Place. Rodgers and Hart?s, ?My Funny Valentine.? Begins with the softer side of the Quartet and quickly boils into a driving force that displays vim and vigor. A real highlight on the disc is ?Frantasy,? its potency and verve excels ever faster and ever harder with each ! note played.

Naima features guest vocalist Shelby Flint, adding a soft touch to the track for a nice feminine counterpoint. ?Angels Flight,? conjures technical prowess, Farrell really shines with screaming sax lines and again lightning fast fingers. Bassist, Bob Harrison doesn?t? miss a beat with burning fingers across the bass strings and Woodard adding spontaneity to the track with rhythmic genius. The disc finishes with ?Last Night I Dreamed,? again featuring a Larkin original, a fitting close to an ad! venturous disc exploring the unpasteurized and passionate side of jazz, a journey in real emotions and unrestrained human stories, and a fitting tribute to the late Joe Farrell.