Signed to Warner Bros. in 1977, Farrell, who had been a valued sideman, had also released a few albums under his own name. On CTI, he released albums like Moon Germs, Song of the Wind, and Outback. But like many artists of his type, he was only as good as his producers and the album's premises. Ralph McDonald and William Eaton produced La Catedral Y El Toro. Despite the authoritative title, this is a fairly standard fusion set. The title track aims for Chick Corea-like expansion and excitement, but the production renders it listless, even Stanley Clarke's bass solo sounds enervated. "Promise Me Your Love" is trademark low-key and soothing McDonald and Eaton, with guitarist Eric Gale and Richard Tee's keyboards ably assisting Farrell's fluid soprano and tenor sax solos. Even halfway before it's over, it's apparent that La Catedral Y El Toro's most notable facet is how it squanders the eye-popping talent and Farrell's gifts. "Cyclone Rider" and Patti Austin's "Is It Asking Too Much" both feature Farrell as little more than a bystander on his own album. The final track, "Imagine Me," is a feather light offering featuring his often-captivating flute work falling into off notes and lack of energy. La Cathedral Y El Toro also features the talents of bassist Anthony Jackson and drummer Steve Gadd, among others. This 1977 effort is a case of Farrell not clicking with his producers, and that fact makes this less than recommended.
Tracklist:A1 La Catedral Y El Toro - Drums [Orchestra Snare Drum] – Chris Parker (2), Guitar – Jay Berliner, Piccolo [Bass] – Stanley Clarke, Saxophone [Soprano] – Joe Farrell, Synthesizer – Kenneth Bichel* 9:52
A2 Promise Me Your Love - Saxophone [Soprano, Tenor] – Joe Farrell 4:32
A3 Disco Dust - Percussion [Additional] – Rubens Bassini, Saxophone [Tenor] – Joe Farrell 4:37
B1 Cyclone Rider - Saxophone [Tenor] – Joe Farrell, Synthesizer [Mini-moog] – Dave Grusin 6:06
B2 Is It Asking Too Much - Flute, Oboe – Joe Farrell 6:02
B3 Imagine Me - Flute – Joe Farrell, Percussion [Additional] – Rubens Bassini 6:04
Personnel:Arranged By, Conductor – William Eaton
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Congas, Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Drums – Steve Gadd
Engineer – Richard Alderson
Engineer [Assistant] – Eddie Heath Jr.*
Guitar – Eric Gale
Horns – Alan Rubin, Barry Rogers, Brooks Tillotson, Dave Taylor*, George Young (2), Jim Buffington, Michael Brecker, Paul Faulise, Randy Brecker, Ray Alonge, Ronnie Cuber, Tony Miranda, Tony Price (2), Victor Paz
Mastered By – George Marino
Mixed By – Ralph MacDonald, Richard Alderson, William Eaton
Piano – Richard Tee
Producer – Ralph MacDonald, William Eaton
Strings – Alan Shulman, Alfred Brown, Avram Weiss, Charles Libove, David Nadien, George Duvivier, Harry Cykman, Joe Malin, Julien Barber, Kermit Moore, Max Ellen, Max Pollikoff, Regis Iandiorio, Sanford Allen, Selwart Clarke
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