CD Review: Lyn Stanley - London Calling "A Toast To Julie London"

Lyn Stanley (vocals); John Chiodini (guitar); Mike Garson, Christian Jacob (piano); Chuck Berghofer, Michael Valerio (bass); Luis Conte, Brad Dutz (perc); Aaron Serfaty (drums, perc); Paul Kreibich (drums)

(Review by Ann Alex).

I liked this CD before I heard it! At least I enjoyed the very informative notes in the insert, which give the details of each song, the circumstances in which Julie London sang the song and the details of Lyn Stanley’s interpretation. For instance, did you know that  As Time Goes By was a flop when it was written in 1931, and didn’t catch on until it was included in the film Casablanca in 1942? Or that Blue Moon was originally entitled The Bad In Every Man? I digress.

The CD gives us 15 standards recorded by Julie London and 2 songs, It’s Impossible and I Heard It Through The Grapevine, which Stanley reckons would have suited Julie’s singing. Julie London (1926-2000) was a singer and actor, and one of her classic and very influential songs was Cry Me A River. Lyn Stanley released her debut album in 2013 and she has sold 40,000 albums worldwide.  On this CD she puts very much her own take on these classic songs, Working with stellar musicians from the Los Angeles area, and without any actual written arrangements.

Her diction is faultless and she sings with feeling. For instance, Bye Bye Blackbird  is a swinging duet with lots of space for the bass, and a sly reference to These Boots Are Made For Walking at the end. I Heard It Through The Grapevine has Latin percussion with bass noodling and a free jazz feeling from the piano. Summertime (Yes Lance!) is done twice, both very acceptable, a bluesy version with the whole band, and then as a lullaby with a rocking rhythm from piano and vocals. Sway is intimate, almost whispered, with mainly piano and guitar. I could outline each track, but it’s best to hear the songs, which include: Goody Goody; Call Me Irresponsible; How About Me; I’ve Got A Crush On You; Light My Fire; Go Slow/Nice Girls Don’t Stay For Breakfast; You The Night And The Music; Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye.

The music is available on CD and also in vinyl as a 2 disc set. See www.LynStanley.com

Ann Alex