Higher Power
Fred Farell brings the good word on Distant Song
What The Press Is Saying About
Fred Farell
"Distant Song"
Fred Farell Sings the Music of Dave Liebman and Richie Beirach
" Fred Farell's new CD is rewarding...adding to the Jazz Vocal Repertoire.
His singing is warm, quietly expressive, and really gets into the messages of the songs.
...Fans will find much to enjoy on this rewarding set."
Scott Yanow, Jazz Journalist/Historian
"The mood of the Program is dark blue, solemn, and well matched to Fred's Baritone, and the accompanying Instrumentation...with Farell writing all the Lyrics."
D. Oscar Groomes: O's NOTES - O's Place Preview
"...FARELL is the real deal in terms of Sincerity, his voice speaks authority as does the tender Truth expressed in his Lyrics...and musical arrangements...A performance that regularly stops you...in your tracks..."
Stephen Graham/MARLBANK
"I give Fred, and his fellow master (musicians) an energy quotient rating of 4.99 for this CD.
...One of the strongest Jazz Vocal performances I've listened to yet in 2018."
Rotcod Zzaj (Dick Metcalf Associates/"Contemporary Fusion Reviews)
"Listening to Farell is like stepping back in Time, to mid-20th Century America, when Jazz and Romance were popular. His Sounscapes are like Odes to Love...Farell's "Distant Song" provides enough soothing sounds for listeners to ponder the Human condition...
He is joined by Dave Liebman on soprano & tenor Saxophones, and by Richie Beirach on acoustic Piano." Dodie Miller-Gould, Lemon Wire
Fred Farell "Distant Song"
(Whaling City Sound WCS 103)
Street Date: January 26, 2018
Fred Farell sings the music of Dave Liebman and Richie Beirach
Fred Farell Voice
Dave Liebman Soprano & Tenor Saxophones, Wooden Recorder
Richie Beirach-Acoustic Piano
As a featured soloist and ensemble singer, Fred Farell has made a name for himself as a preeminent pro jazz voice. Across five decades and at venues as esteemed and diverse as Avery Fisher Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the Museum of Modern Art, Farell has demonstrated inspired interpretive abilities to go with his heartfelt lyricism and sweet pipes. Distant Song, his debut for Whaling City Sound, a home for much quality jazz, is a profound experience, thanks partly due to his composers and loyal accompanists saxophonist Dave Liebman and piano/keys player Richie Beirach, both of whom have collaborated on the original music for this record.
Farell’s own wordsmithing is sublime, requiring deftness, patience and passion on the microphone. His compositions unfold gently, religiously. Infused with sacred messaging, Distant Song is an emotional project -part, jazz, part spiritual, part loving experiment- produced with happiness and love by a veteran talent clearly confident and at peace with himself and his abilities.
1. Broken Wing 5:55
2. Lonnie’s Song 4:53
3. Forgotten Fantasies (Instrumental) 6:16
4. Leaving 7:33
5.Tomorrow’s Expectations 6:58
6. Sunday Song 4:24
7. Mitsuku 7:56
8. Zal (Instrumental) 5:19
9. Places 4:22
10. Distant Song 5:34
Tracks 1,4,6,7
Richie Beirach,
Beirach Music, BMI
Fred Farell (lyrics),
FarellSongs Publishing, BMI
Tracks 2,5,9,10
Dave Liebman,
Liebstone Music, BMI
Fred Farell (lyrics),
FarellSongs Publishing, BMI
Track 3
Dave Liebman,
Liebstone Music, BMI
Track 8
Richie Beirach,
Beirach Music, BMI
FRED FARELL
Fred Farrell began singing professionally during his military service in the USA,
and Europe in 1967. His musical training includes: Jazz Vocal improvisation with
Pianist-composer and educator Richard Beirach; Private voice studies with
Cynthia Hoffman, Richard Dorr, and Larry Chelsi; and Music courses taken at
The City College of New York; at which time he enrolled in Jazz studies taught
by Jazz songstress and educator Sheila Jordan.
His first appearances as a solo artist and group leader in New York, were at
Loft galleries, and Jazz clubs during the 1970's and early 1980's; including
return engagements at Sweet Basil, and Greene Street; during which time he
was an artist-member of Cobi Narita's Universal Jazz Coalition.
As a featured soloist, as well as an ensemble singer, Mr. Farell has performed
at Avery Fisher Hall, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Kitchen, WBAI Radio,
The Musuem of Modern Art, and Symphony Space, with such Jazz Masters
and artists as the late saxaphonist Dexter Gordon; Pianists: Barry Harris,
the late Albert Dailey, and Kenny Barron; Bassists: the late Herman Wright,
Rufus Reid and Ratso Harris; Female Vocal Artist-educator Jay Clayton (The
Voice Group); and Natural Sound Composer-pianist Kirk Nurock.
In the creative expression of Jazz used to present the Gospel message, the
singer has been a featured soloist with the Don Hanson Ensemble, led by the
Saxaphonist-composer; has appeared on the Queens Public Cable TV Network;
and is currently co-leader of the Gospel Jazz group "JazzLite". In this group
setting, Mr. Farell ministers with his gospel lyrics for original compositions,
and Jazz standards, and features Pianists Jeff Kruh, and Joel Weiskopf in
varying instrumental formats, depending upon the venues entered.
