This recording of "Lover Come Back to Me" comes from Stephen Riley's 2007 album Once Upon a Dream. The song was composed by Sigmund Romberg with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1928 operetta The New Moon and has long been a favorite among jazz musicians for its dramatic melody and harmonically rich changes. Riley takes it at a blazing 262 BPM, turning the 64-bar AABA form in G-flat into a high-energy showcase for his fleet tenor saxophone work. Over three full choruses, he navigates the extended form with ease, unspooling long, flowing lines that demonstrate both his technical command and his deep melodic imagination. The up-tempo treatment reveals the influence of the Lester Young tradition in Riley's playing, where even at fast tempos the emphasis remains on swing feel and lyrical storytelling rather than mere velocity. As the sole soloist on this track, Riley carries the full weight of the performance, building intensity across the choruses while maintaining the relaxed, buoyant quality that defines his musical personality. The result is a thrilling interpretation that balances virtuosity with the kind of effortless swing that marks the best of the mainstream jazz tenor tradition.
