Lyn Stanley – The Moonlight Sessions Vol 2 – SACD Review

Lyn Stanley – The Moonlight Sessions Vol 2 – 2017

Plastic – SACD

Surface noise: N/A

Dynamic Range: 5-

Stereo Imaging: 5

Image depth/perspective: 5-

Overall frequency response: 5-

Track List:

1. Makin’ Whoopee
2. The Very Thought Of You
3. That Old Feeling
4. The Summer Knows
5. Over The Rainbow
6. How Deep Is The Ocean
7. Angel Eyes
8. At Seventeen
9. You’ve Changed
10. Smile
11. Love Me Or Leave Me
12. How Insensitive
13. Since I Fell For You
14. I’ll Be Seeing You

I am sure that some readers will be wondering why I purchased the SACD version of this recording when, as a vinyl enthusiast, I could have purchased the vinyl version that had outstanding and consistent reviews?

I love the sound of vinyl, and few plastic discs, SACD or DVDA, can match or exceed their particular sound. However, you pay a price for getting that quality, and I do not mean just $. The price paid is that it becomes difficult, for me, to relax and “get into” the album when every two or occasionally three tracks I have to get up and either turn the disc over or change to disc two. It still amazes me how Sheffield Lab managed to cram up to eight tracks on an album side and still maintain an amazing audiophile sound with terrific dynamics, amazing imagery and extended frequency range.

This album was recorded February – May 2017 at:

• Capital Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA
• LAFx, Burbank, CA
• The Village, Santa Clara, CA
• Studio 22, Budapest, Hungary

So here I am buying an SACD that has 14 tracks so that I can sit down and finally listen to its entierty without having to leave my seat. So was it worth it and how did this SACD sound? Read on.

Lyn Stanley was awarded Female Jazz Vocalist of The Year 2018 from one of the most visible public radio stations in the USA, KKJz-Los Angeles who have the highest Nielsen ratings for jazz radio audiences in the U.S.

Recorded by Al Schmitt and Steve Genewick, mixed by Al Schmitt and mastered by Bernie Grundman.

The Moonlight Sessions albums have a total of 26 songs divided between two albums (Volume One has 12 tracks and Volume Two has 14 tracks).

As always the total lack of surface noise is the first thing that hits me after listening to vinyl. However, as the tracks were faded up and down you could just hear the noise floor perceptibly change. Even with this non-existent noise floor I didn’t feel that the recordings dynamics reached the full potential achieved by her 45RPM vinyl album Interludes. The imaging was pin-point and consistently remained between my speakers, rarely appearing to come directly from either speaker. It provided good depth, but the instruments showed little vertical separation remaining in the same horizontal plane and height between the speakers.

The recording provides a very intimate performance by Lyn. There seemed to be few restrictions to the dynamics of her vocal range or any of the instruments. Her voice was absolutely natural, having perfect annunciation, with no undue emphasis to any part of the vocal range. Her close miking rarely accentuating any sibilance. Turning my lights off, and with no visual distractions, Lyn’s presence was positively palpable, standing just in front of my center speaker with the entire band and orchestra laid out behind her.

Musicianship and vocals were first rate providing a tight, very enjoyable and entertaining musical performance. Stereo imaging was rock solid with just a touch a reverb being added to Lyn’s voice that you occasionally heard tail out. The instrumental solos for the sax, trombone, muted trumpet, piano, guitar and double bass all sounding very natural, tight and clean. Depth of image was reasonable with the orchestra off to her RHS , the kit sitting well behind Lyn, the guitar recessed just off to her RHS, and the piano to her LHS. Brass, harp and other solos being mostly centered or behind Lyn to her RHS.

The orchestral and band backing were wide open with plenty of instrumental detail and refinement. Double bass, kit, strings and brass sections all providing a realistic representation of the instruments natural sounds. The double bass, whose level varied considerably both within a track and between tracks, was tight and extended with no boom. The kit was neatly tucked behind Lyn with a tight clean kick drum, though quite recessed, some terrifically detailed brush work, and very detailed cymbals and hi-hat. The detail and delicacy of the triangle was also notable. Strings showed no sign of being strident with brass sections exhibiting a clean bright edge. Musical detail and transparency were excellent. The string sections and harp were very natural sitting to Lyn’s right hand side.

General levels of reverb were quite low and short filling out the sound and creating a warm enveloping atmosphere.

Despite an excellent performance and recording, it is not perfect. There are a number of occasions where Lyn could not quite hold a closing note, and I heard some speed variations on a few tail outs as the track ended. I also felt that there was room for improvement in both the overall dynamics and vertical imaging. Yes I know I am being ‘finicky’ here, but many other reviewers seem to think these (vinyl & SACD) versions are the best recordings they have ever heard, well this SACD version is not to my ears and not on my system.

NOTE: After replaying the entire album using my Oppo 205 balanced analog outputs, the vocals lost their slight edge becoming more mellow and the double bass became slightly tighter and more prominent. There was no apparent loss of dynamics, and detail, openness and the overall sound moved much closer to that of her vinyl album Interludes. Clearly, despite the additional ADC/DAC created by the Denon receiver, the DSD DAC conversion within the Oppo is superior to that of my Denon receiver.

I have noted this issue before and will now stop using the dedicated audio HDMI Oppo connection for stereo that forces my Denon receiver to provide the bit stream conversion.

Recommended tracks, all of them. They are all very well recorded and performed, providing accomplished vocal performances with many of the tracks having excellent brass, double bass and piano solos and breaks.

Lyn Stanley – The Moonlight Sessions Vol 2 – SACD Review

Purchase the vinyl or SACD from Elusive Disc, the exclusive retailer of all her albums.

Purchase vinyl and SACD from Discogs.

See my other vinyl reviews here.