Search - Sun Ra :: Spaceship Lullaby (1954-60)

A revelation for Sun Ra scholars

Christopher B. Eddy | Other Planes OF There, CT USA | 11/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Continuing on the path established by their last Sun Ra "Unheard Music" CD release, Ativistic drop a revelation on Sun Ra fans with the release of "Spaceship Lullaby."Comprised of 37, mostly unknown and unheard, tracks from vocal-based groups Sun Ra worked with in the early days of the Arkestra, the music on this CD comes entirely from home-made rehearsal tapes. The quality is extremely rough in spots, but considering the origin and rarity of the tapes, there's little to complain about. The Arkestra appears on a few cuts, but most takes are piano and vocal based. The selections are mostly covers of standards and pop tunes of the day, but there are several Sun Ra originals in the mix that are a revelation, and add yet a few more missing pieces back to the infinite Sun Ra myth.This release is suggested for hard-core, have it all, Sun Ra fans, and definately not for new "travelers of the spaceways.""

A window into early workings

B. Arenson | sausalito | 09/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"These are a collection of home recordings of Sun Ra working with a few different vocal groups. All of the material are rehearsal tapes and if any were deemed suitable to be released there was no record company found to willing to release them. But their release now give us an intimate look at what was happening in Sun Ra's living room in the mid Fifties.



Even though the songs are mostly show tune standards and doo wop type fair Sun Ra's presence is unmistakeable. The vocal arrangements are far more adventurous than what would be the norm in the day. And the piano work is clearly Sun Ra's. Sun Ra came from a swing and jump blues tradition and it is very interesting to hear his inteprtation of it. The roots of the music are in place but it still has that haunting and displaced quality of Sun Ra's best work.



This is not something that can be heard anywhere else. One star taken for the poor recording quality and the sometimes unpolished performances just so I am not misrepresenting this release to a potential buyer. But the inside look at Sun Ra's work given by these home recordings is a worthwhile treasure."

A Genius at Home

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 09/18/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sun Ra has a prolific catalog of live and studio releases, but this CD captures a different angle of the creative genius; at home and working on a variety of material.



The 37 songs are taken from recordings Sun Ra made for personal use during 1954-1960 and are heavily based upon a piano-vocal format. Though these are oftentimes very rough and not mixed for public issue, it presents a special insight in Sun Ra building upon ideas and concepts.



The CD is essential for fans who are striving to have a complete library of Sun Ra releases or for those who are intrigued at hearing the shaping of music by an incredible artist."