The much loved music producer Hal Willner died Monday 6 April aged 64. Cause of death not yet released, but reports refer to symptoms consistent with coronavirus.
I first became aware of Willner’s work with “Stay Awake”, his Disney songs album, and subsequently sought out each recording he produced. The Thelonius Monk and Kurt Weill records are two other favourites.
Elvis Costello has penned this tribute in Rolling Stone. Hal’s work is available on Tidal and Qobuz and investigating his Roon entry is highly recommended.
If I recall correctly - the first time I heard about him was in the early 90’s, when I bought the cd “Weird Nightmare: Meditations on Mingus”. Not long after I noticed he produced Elvis Costello/Brodsky Quartet - The Juliet Letters. After then I sort of followed his career - producing Lou Reed & many other.