Lyn Stanley: “Favorite Takes: London With A Twist: Live At Bernie’s” (2019) CD Review

I love Lyn Stanley’s voice and her style, and have from the moment I first listened to her several years ago. I also appreciate her choices of material to cover. On her newest release, Favorite Takes: London With A Twist: Live At Bernie’s, she delivers wonderful renditions of some familiar songs. The album’s title might be a bit misleading, for this isn’t a typical live album; it’s not a concert recording. The songs were recorded live, directly to analog disc rather than using magnetic tape, leading to an excellent sound quality. This was done at a studio, not a concert venue. So the “Bernie’s” in question is not a club. Rather, Bernie Grundman is the sound mastering engineer, so the “Bernie’s” in the title is effectively the studio where he was working his magic. Joining Lyn Stanley on this release are Otmaro Ruiz on piano, Mike Lang on piano, John Chiodini on guitar, Chuck Berghofer on bass, Aaron Serfaty on drums, and Luis Conte on percussion. These tracks were recorded over a two-day period, January 19 and 20, 2019.

This album opens with a cool and playful rendition of “Route 66,” the delicious bass line playing nearly as prominent a role as the vocals. There is even a bass solo halfway through. Plus, there is some really nice work on guitar. However, the coolness of the track comes mainly from the drum beat and those touches on keys. And the playfulness is mostly in Lyn Stanley’s vocal approach. Just listen to the way she delivers lines like “Just take my way, it’s the highway that’s the best” and “It winds from Chicago to L.A.” (the way she holds onto the word “winds”). We are off to a great start. Lyn Stanley follows that with a version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac” that swings and grooves. She is clearly having a lot of fun with this sexy song. The track shakes and moves well, and features some delicious stuff on keys. Of course, whenever a woman tackles this song, it becomes a lesbian song, which adds to the fun of it. She then gives an intimate and at times breathy delivery on “Lover Man,” a song written for Billie Holiday. This rendition features a sort of intoxicating, sexy instrumental section.

Lyn Stanley gave us a good rendition of “Blue Moon” on London Calling: A Toast To Julie London, her previous release. Now she delivers another excellent version, with a cool, somewhat relaxed late-night vibe. Yeah, it feels like it is last call and we’re spying that special someone we’ll be taking home. A nice slow dance, and then to bed. She also gives us an unusual, interesting take on Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell” (a song that is sometimes listed as “C’est La Vie”). There is something really hip about this rendition, particularly in the guitar work. There is also some really nice stuff on keys and on percussion, the track having a strong pulse. That’s followed by “Goody Goody,” another song that was included on London Calling: A Toast To Julie London. Again she is having a fun time with it, as are the musicians backing her. I particularly like the bass line. One of the best and most stirring vocal performances of this album is on “Love Letters.” That track also features a wonderful lead on piano.

On London Calling, Lyn Stanley presented a version of “Bye Bye Blackbird” that featured her vocals supported by just bass. Now on this album she delivers another cool rendition, this one beginning with bass (and later including a good bass solo), but soon adding drums and piano and guitar. Lyn’s vocal approach includes delightfully playful readings of certain lines, such as “Here I go, singing low” and “Sugar’s sweet, so is he.” I love the gorgeous and intimate vocal performance she delivers on “Body And Soul.” This track also features a soulful lead on bass, supported by some percussion. Lyn Stanley then wraps up the album with a Cole Porter tune, “In The Still Of The Night.” This version cooks along, pushed forward by some groovy work on drums and bass. Her voice, in contrast, has a relaxed quality at times, creating an interesting effect. And I love that lead on guitar.

CD Track List

1. Route 66
2. Pink Cadillac
3. Lover Man
4. Blue Moon
5. Let There Be You
6. You Never Can Tell
7. Goody Goody
8. Love Letters
9. Bye Bye Blackbird
10. I’ve Got You Under My Skin
11. Body And Soul
12. In The Still Of The Night

Favorite Takes: London With A Twist: Live At Bernie’s was released on June 30, 2019.