Theme from Arthur (Best That I Can Do) - Mel Tormé, Allen, Peter [Piano
The Christmas Song - Mel Tormé, Torme, Mel
Mel Torme has always resented his famous nickname, "The Velvet Fog," not because it's inaccurate, but because it only captures one small aspect of his music-making. He does have a velvety baritone that creates a breathy in... more »timacy on certain romantic ballads. But he has done much, much more in a 67-year professional career that began when he was a four-year-old novelty singer for Chicago's Coon-Sanders Nighthawk Band in 1929 and continues today as the last of the great pre-rock crooners whose voice is still in good shape. That career is nicely summarized in the 4 CD, 92-track box set, "The Mel Torme Collection: 1944-1985" (Rhino). --Geoffrey Himes« less
Mel Torme has always resented his famous nickname, "The Velvet Fog," not because it's inaccurate, but because it only captures one small aspect of his music-making. He does have a velvety baritone that creates a breathy intimacy on certain romantic ballads. But he has done much, much more in a 67-year professional career that began when he was a four-year-old novelty singer for Chicago's Coon-Sanders Nighthawk Band in 1929 and continues today as the last of the great pre-rock crooners whose voice is still in good shape. That career is nicely summarized in the 4 CD, 92-track box set, "The Mel Torme Collection: 1944-1985" (Rhino). --Geoffrey Himes
"This set is very well put together. The book walks through Mel's career from when he was a child onward and has many great color and b&w photos. The recording quality is excellent. It contains many tracks that are unavailable elsewhere (like Mel's nightclub version of the theme from "Arthur"). It also has great cuts from "Mel Torme In Hollywood" -- live at the old Crecendo Club. Sound quality is very good even on these live cuts. Nice loungy feel. This set avoids some of the dopey stuff Mel did for Capitol records in the 60's (like remakes of Rock songs to try to sound 'hip') --- Mel hated having to do that stuff. This set sticks to classic Torme stuff (Chiristmas Song, etc.). I only wish there were more cuts where he scatted. He and Ella are known as the most reknowned scat singers of our time but you don't get much of a feel for that on this set. There's only one cut really we could have done without -- "Zaz Turned Blue." There's a bizzare story behind that number that's detailed in the booklet and it's kind of a goofy tune-- still Mel's voice is as velveteen as ever on it.Real Torme fans should own this set."
Mel Torme Can Save Your Life
Jerry Bray | 08/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you adore the Great American Songbook get this collection.
In my opinion, Mr. Torme remains almost peerless interpreting 40s-80s jazz/pop standards with songwriter sensitivity and empathy."
A Stranger in The Night
Clinton Desveaux | 07/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Boxset swings hard and fast, check out, "It Don't Mean A Thing", the classic "Stangers in the Night", and amazing live version of, "The Best Is Yet To Come""