Review: London With A Twist: Live at Bernie’s – Lyn Stanley

Don’t Make Assumptions

I know that London With a Twist Live at Bernie’s is an audiophile recording and I appreciate that Lyn has taken the effort to ensure that her albums are recorded, mastered and pressed to create vinyl discs that have the highest quality sound for playback. However, in this case, “audiophile recording” does this album a major injustice. I know guys who won’t even own an “audiophile recording” and it would be tragic not to get this LP or SACD right now. And yes, the LP is expensive, but there are less expensive ways to listen to this great album.

It’s full of songs we all know, starting with “Route 66″ and the Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac.” It continues with standards like “Blue Moon,” “Goody Goody,” “Body and Soul,“ and even “In the Still of the Night.” Lyn’s interpretations of these well-known songs make them both fresh and inspirational.

Top Jazz Talent

I don’t doubt that there are many others who agree with me when I say that Lyn is more than a singer who makes audiophile recordings. In 2018, she was named Female Jazz Vocalist of the Year by Saul Levine, programmer for KJZ-FM, Los Angeles’ top jazz station.

And, for London With a Twist Live at Bernie’s, as she has for her previous work, Lyn gathered around her some true jazz legends to be her “Jazz Mavericks.” They are Otmaro Ruiz and Mike Lang on piano, Chuck Berghofer on bass, Aaron Serfaty on drums, John Chiodini on guitar and Luis Conte on percussion.

Well, It Is An Audiophile Recording Too

It’s the quality of the recording that makes this an audiophile album. After all, it is two direct-to-disc 45 rpm LPs that were not only mastered at Bernie Grundman‘s studio but recorded there as well. The recording and mixing engineer was Allen Sides. The lacquer was also mastered by Bernie Grundman. Oh, there is one thing about this LP that isn’t typical for an audiophile recording. The two LPs are Ferrari Red!

In addition to the limited edition LP, when the set was recorded, it was also captured on a Recording of The Masters (RMGI) Studio Master 468 at 30ips reel-to-reel tape. when the set was recorded. A PCM file was also captured at the same time at 192/24 bit.

What If I Already Have London Calling?

Then you are twice blessed. They are both incredible albums. Think of London Calling, which we reviewed here, as a Bently and Live At Bernie’s as a Ferrari! One is a finished sounding work like you might hear at a Pop’s performance in a symphony hall, and the other is like a trip to a jazz club to hear a live band and singer. I highly recommend both albums first for the music and second because, like Tony, the Tiger used to say, “They’re GREAT!”