News

Lyn Stanley Recording March 4, 2014 At Avatar Studios in NYC With Legendary Recording Engineer Al Schmitt

Michael Fremer  |  Mar 4, 2014

Chanteuse extraordinaire Lyn Stanley was at New York's Avatar Studios (formerly The Power Station) recording songs for her next album Potions, which will consist of '50s era covers. Most distinguished recording engineer/producer Al Schmitt was at the board and yes, the big Studer 24 track you see in the picture was rolling.

Seen in the photo taken in Avatar Studio A, from left to right are Glenn Dewes (trumpet/flugelhorn) Lyn Stanley, recording engineer Al Schmitt, analogplanet.com editor Michael Fremer, Kenny Werner (piano), Johannes Weidenmueller (bass), producer Steve Rawlins, Ari Hoenig (drums) and videographer Stephen Speliotis.

While not every track will be recorded and mixed in the analog domain, many will. Your job will be to determine which are which. Maybe we'll run a contest when the album is released either late this year or early next.

Stanley is recording with Schmitt both at Avatar and at Capitol in Los Angeles.

I was lucky enough to witness two tracks being recorded: "Hey There", first made famous by Rosemary Clooney and "In the Still of the Night"—the one by Fred Parris performed by his group The Five Satins, not the one by Cole Porter.

The drum, bass, piano, trumpet quartet got in the groove and the two tracks were quickly recorded to everyone's satisfaction. Microphones used included AKGs, Shures and on the sweet sounding trumpet a Royer R121 ribbon. Stanley's voice was captured on a Neumann U47.

Schmitt confirmed that Paul McCartney's Kisses on the Bottom, which he of course engineered, was recorded at Capitol on analog tape.

When I told Schmitt I was going to be in Los Angeles next week for a project I can't talk about right now, he told me about one that I also can't talk about that he's about to start mixing next week also recorded "live" to analog tape with everyone in the room the way it used to be done.

He invited me to visit Capitol next week and perhaps sit in for part of the mix if the artist allows. Knowing who the artist is, it's doubtful that will happen but he will definitely arrange a tour of Capitol's studio and perhaps I'll get to see the cutting system Don Was installed there for the Blue Note reissues.

The two tracks Stanley cut today were quite fine. She returns to L.A. to record more for the album, with pianist/arranger Bill Cunliffe.

COMMENTS
Steelhead's picture
Submitted by Steelhead on Wed, 2014-03-05 14:23

Gotta hand it to you Mr. Fremer, you just get around.  I really appreciate you reviewing Lost in Romance as I would have surely missed it or passed on it.

What a wonderful album and my vinyl copy is superb.  Spun it again last night and what a great vibe and recording.  

I don't care how they master her new one, I will be jumping on it. I hope the vinyl edition goes to whoever mastered and pressed Lost in Romance as the vinyl is dead flat, noise and click free and her voice just kills.  Fantastic work all around.

Elusive disc gets a shout out as well. Nicely packed and survived the journey well.

Definitely a happy customer. Killer album. 

Superfuzz's picture
Submitted by Superfuzz on Wed, 2014-03-05 14:49

Looks like this will be a great sounding album. Nice to see "Hey There" being included, I assume Ms. Stanley is a fan of Rosemary Clooney, one of the best singers ever. Incidentally, I can highly recommend the Clooney & Perez Prado 45RPM reissue by ORG of "A Touch of Tabasco" (mastered by Bernie Grundman). Incredible sound... recorded in 1959 for RCA, by Al Schmitt.

Jim Tavegia's picture
Submitted by Jim Tavegia on Wed, 2014-03-05 16:04

Ah to be a fly on the wall for any of this would be something. 

Lyn Stanley's picture
Submitted by Lyn Stanley on Thu, 2014-03-06 20:06

We were blessed to have musician, critic and engineering greats all around us on March 4th at Avatar as we recorded five song tracks for my new album, Potions.  I think you have the names of all the players in the session now based on my photo and comments.  We tracked (as Michael stated he was there for the first two) Hey There, In The Still of The Night, and then recorded music tracks after he left to Love Potion #9, Misty, The Party's Over.  At the end of the session, pianist, Kenny Werner and I did an analog taping of The Man I Love without headphones and in the same room.  It was just an awesome moment.  

Next taping back at Capitol records in LA on April 9th with Bill Cunliffe on piano, Ray Brinkler, drums, Trey Henry, bass and Thom Rotella on jazz guitar.  We are tracking The Thrill is Gone..and up to four other tunes that I am so happy to include on the album.  I am hoping this album is finished and ready for pressing in early summer 2014.

We also recorded a comparison commentary by Al Schmitt about my recordings--super interesting from his expert engineering perspective on ProTools and Analog tape while we were at Avatar this week.  He has such a wealth of knowledge and has been in recording studios since he was EIGHT years old--helping his uncle who had a recording studio in NYC.

I have had a wonderful time in NYC and preping now for my May 7, 2014-9:30pm show at NYC's Metropolitan Room.  Mike Renzi, who will be my Musical Director for this show, has rehearsed with me for the past two days.  He is on a bit of a break from his touring the world with Tony Bennett.  He is so musical, know we will have a truly excellent show.

Thanks again Michael for the News review and to my friends for their comments!

X