For this album, Lyn Stanley has chosen her repertoire from songs composed in the 1950s thus reminding her listeners that skilful songwriters did not vanish when the previous two golden decades ended. Among the songs, many of which are given interesting and agreeable new readings, are Cry Me A River, Fly Me To The Moon, In The Still Of The Night, Misty, and The Party’s Over. This is Lyn’s second album and she has a mature vocal sound, crystal clear diction that is abetted by her occasionally clipped delivery, and an obvious affection for the lyrics. This audible love for her material is nevertheless sufficiently relaxed to allow her to make the songs accessible to present-day ears – the songs were, after all, written more than a half-century ago. Lyn is accompanied here by several musicians in different small groups; too many to list but the pianists heard are Bill Cunliffe (5 tracks), Mike Lang (2 tracks), and Kenny Werner (7 tracks), with Mike and Kenny both playing on A Summer Place. The set ends with The Man I Love, which comes of course from an earlier time. This is a delightful set that should appeal to many, be they jazz fans or aficionados of the Great American Songbook.
Click here to read the full article “Jazz CD Reviews – early January 2015” on Jazz Mostly.