Lyn Stanley: Lost In Romance

A hardened cynic might presume that the song royalty beneficiaries of the estates of Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, George and Ira Gershwin and other song giants would mercenarily welcome yet another Great American Songbook-rich recording by a female vocalist. However, when those warhorse ("wornhorse?") compositions—and a few shrewdly selected other ones—are sent up tails-and-gowns stylish as they are in this auspicious debut recording, our cynical friend would be somewhat inaccurate in that presumption.

With Lost in Romance, Lyn Stanley establishes herself as a fine interpreter of lyric gold and platinum melody. A champion ballroom dancer, Stanley has an inviting alto voice, great rhythmic nuance, and an obvious respect for the vaunted material she covers. And, as any great dancer or singer would, her rhythmic and melodic vocal movements are expressed with an obvious ease of delivery and flair.

The "romantically lost" Stanley, who's quite present in a musical sense, performs 15 selections delivered straightforwardly in both form and interpretation. In addition to Songbook standards ("The Nearness of You," "You Go to My Head"), Stanley adds Broadway and pop selections (Stephen Sondheim's "Losing My Mind" and George Harrison's "Something"), as well as stretching her soul wings ("I Just Want to Make Love to You," "What Am I Gonna Do With A Bad Boy Like You?"). On those selections, she demonstrates that she can belt as well as caress. The world-class rhythm sections and supporting guest soloists are formidable in keeping things elegant, classy and stylish throughout.

As fine a production as this is, Stanley exhibits a very slight—but noticeable—sense of caution in a rare spot or two. That's understandable, perhaps, given the nature of the material, the talent that surrounds her and the fact that this is recording Number One. That notwithstanding, while the gorgeous cover shot depicts Stanley gazing off into the night looking somewhat forlorn and lost, Lost in Romance is an admirable and enjoyable effort where a very talented singer can indeed be found.