Folk Songs for Far Out Folk

Although Fred Katz is best known to jazz fans as the cellist in Chico Hamilton's quintet, he also had a career as a producer, composer, and curator of interesting projects. One such endeavor was 1958's FOLK SONGS FOR FAR OUT FOLK, which aimed to trace the roots of jazz to their source in a variety of folk traditions. When Katz assembled groups of musicians in the studio to adapt and interpret versions of Hebrew, African, and American folk songs, the results were remarkable.
Although recorded in the studio, the tracks have the loose, informal feel and atmospheric wash of field recordings. Percussion workouts, a capella singing, and unusual instrumentation abound, and the overall effect is part anthropological document, part avant-garde experiment. FOLK SONG FOR FAR OUT FOLKS should pique the curiosity of those who enjoy both THE AMERICAN FOLK ANTHOLOGY and Moondog.