Upon This Rock - Joe Farrell (1974) (1LP Vinyl) - Near Mint (NM)

Upon This Rock by Joe Farrell.

"Upon This Rock" catches Joe Farrell at a moment when jazz was stretching outward, and it finds him doing what he did best: moving fluidly between tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, and flute, coloring each track with a different voice. Released on the strength of Farrell's reputation as one of the most versatile reed players of his era, the album pairs muscular grooves with the kind of lyrical playing that made him a sought after collaborator.

The record opens with "Weathervane," a track that sets the tone for the sessions before giving way to "I Won't Be Back." Flip to the B side and you get the title cut, "Upon This Rock," followed by "Seven Seas," four pieces that let the band stretch out and breathe. It is a compact program, but one that rewards close listening, with Farrell steering the mood from one horn to the next.

The band behind him is a tight, road tested unit. Herb Bushler anchors everything on bass, while Joe Beck brings his distinctive guitar work to the sessions, weaving lines around Farrell's horns. Jimmy Madison supplies drums on three of the four tracks, "Weathervane," "Upon This Rock," and "Seven Seas," lending those cuts their propulsive backbone. It is the sort of small group interplay that thrives on space and trust, each player leaving room for the others.

Much of the album was captured in March 1974, with "I Won't Be Back" laid down earlier, in October 1973. The sessions were recorded and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder, whose studio remains synonymous with the sound of modern jazz; his fingerprints are all over the warmth and clarity here. Creed Taylor produced, bringing his polished sensibility to a record that balances grit and gloss in equal measure.

The package itself is a treat for collectors. Housed in a gatefold cover, it carries cover photography by Pete Turner, whose vivid, cinematic images became a signature of the label's visual identity during these years. Gene Laurents contributed the liner photography, while Sibbie McDonough handled the album design, tying the whole presentation together with a considered, of its moment aesthetic.

For anyone building a shelf of seventies jazz that leans into groove without losing its improvisational edge, "Upon This Rock" is a natural fit. Farrell's command of three instruments, the pedigree of the players around him, and the unmistakable Van Gelder and Creed Taylor stamp make this one worth spinning again and again. It is a record that speaks for itself once the needle drops.

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Weathervane
A2. I Won't Be Back
B1. Upon This Rock
B2. Seven Seas

Credits:
Herb Bushler - Bass
Sibbie McDonough - Design [Album]
Jimmy Madison - Drums (A1, B1, B2)
Joe Beck - Guitar
Pete Turner (4) - Photography By [Cover]
Gene Laurents - Photography By [Liner]
Creed Taylor - Producer
Rudy Van Gelder - Recorded By, Engineer
Joe Farrell - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute

Notes:
Recorded March 1974 except track A2 in October 1973.

Gatefold cover

Artist: Joe Farrell

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: CTI Records

Catalog Number: CTI 6042 S1

Release Year: 1974

Country: United States

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Near Mint (NM)

Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)