POP MUSIC REVIEW : Gloria Loring’s Talent Shines

Gloria Loring may be best known as a former star of “Days of Our Lives,” but she is a superb pop vocalist as well. Opening a weekend run at the Cinegrill on Thursday, she sang with the kind of joyous abandon that rarely characterized her role as Liz on the soap opera. (“They shot me every two years,” she said, “whether I needed it or not.”)

As good as she was, however, Loring’s act could stand some careful editing. Its opening segments, mostly devoted to originals, were long and laborious. Many of her songs appeared to have served as useful personal cathartics, but their general interest beyond that purpose was slim.

When Loring moved into a broad mix of standards and contemporary tunes, her performance shifted into high gear. Her readings of ballads--”Stardust,” “I Remember You” and “Once Upon a Time,” especially--had the poised and focused emotion of the finest jazz singing, often reminiscent of Irene Kral and Morgana King.

She was equally impressive with hard-rocking romps through Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac.” Topping off an evening that distinguished her as one of the most pure musical talents in mainstream pop, Loring spontaneously--and with great style and enthusiasm--sang the complex convolutions of Annie Ross’ “Twisted” without missing a note.

Loring’s Cinegrill engagement ends tonight.