Albert's Lullaby is the first solo album by American avant-garde bassist, jazz composer, bandleader, producer; Michael Staron which in essence documented his trio collaboration with American avant-garde jazz composer, bandleader, and multi-instrumentalist Hal Russell recorded in 1991 and 1992 and released posthumously on the part of Mr. Russell on the Southport label in 2000.[1]

Albert's Lullaby
Studio album by
Released2000
RecordedOctober 24, 1991 – February 15, 1992
GenreJazz
Length73:41
LabelSouthport
S-SSD 0077
ProducerMichael Staron - See liner notes - Southport S-SSD 0077
Hal Russell chronology
The Finnish/Swiss Tour
(1991)
Albert's Lullaby
(2000)
Naked Colours
(1991)

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [2]
All About Jazz     [3]
Jazz Review     [4]

The AllMusic review by Michael G. Nas states, "Staron's major role in these collective improvisations cannot be overlooked, he is an equal partner firing up Russell's highly spontaneous notions."[2] Harvey Pekar on JazzTimes observed, "“Ghosts” contains Staron's unaccompanied arco and pizzicato work, on which he employs electronic and percussive effects and extended techniques. He's a versatile, forward looking and accomplished performer." .[5] On All About Jazz Glenn Astarita enthused "Albert’s Lullaby is a remarkable portraiture of an artist who most assuredly would be blazing new musical trails if not for his untimely death... Strongly recommended".[3] Jazz Review's Lee Prosser wrote "Albert's Lullaby is free jazz genius and improvisation at its finest... This is a fine example of when all goes right with free jazz in the hands of gifted performers, who, together, share a creative vision with the listening audience".[4]

Track listing

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All compositions by Hal Russell, Bradley Parker-Sparrow and Mike Staron except as indicated

  1. "Edge of Night (Soap Opera Theme)" - 6:01
  2. "Albert's Lullaby" (Mike Staron) - 3:06
  3. "Vibrations" (Albert Ayler) - 5:29
  4. "Kyrie and Agnus Dei" (Staron) - 6:51
  5. "Who's There?" - 25:19
  6. "Ghosts" (Ayler) - 3:53
  7. "Aural" - 14:47
  8. "W" (Staron) - 6:58
  9. "To Groove" - 1:17

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ "Michael Staron | Faculty A-Z | Faculty & Staff | School of Music | DePaul University, Chicago".
  2. ^ a b Allmusic Review accessed May 5, 2014
  3. ^ a b Astarita, G., All About Jazz Review, June 1, 2000
  4. ^ a b Prosser, L., Jazz Review Archived 2014-05-06 at the Wayback Machine, March 28, 2000
  5. ^ Pekar, H., JazzTimes Review Archived 2014-05-06 at the Wayback Machine, November 2000
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