More Mel Torme
Mel Torme Albums We’ve Reviewed
We just finished a shootout for this album and had a blast with the ol’ Velvet Fog. Many copies of this album are transistory, gritty and dry, but this one has got enough richness and warmth to smooth out those unpleasant qualities. The immediacy and presence throughout are going to KNOCK YOU OUT. Mel is gonna be in the room with you when you play this one good and loud.
Side One
A++, clean, clear and open with a strong bottom end. There’s some nice richness and fullness here as well. So good!
Side Two
A+++, absolutely as good as it gets! The presence and transparency here are superb, and the vocals are rich and smooth. Truly killer!
Side Three
A+++ again, and every bit as good as side two. They just don’t get any better than this, folks!
Side Four
A++. Rich and full, clean and clear, this is a wonderful way to hear this music.
AMG raves about this album and gives it 4 1/2 stars. We wouldn’t really put this one in a league with Mel Swings Shubert Alley, but it’s still very enjoyable. We particularly enjoyed Mel’s reading of Billy Joel’s New York State Of Mind.
TRACK LISTING
Side One
Let’s Take a Walk Around the Block
New York State of Mind
When the World Was Young
Pick Yourself Up
Silly Habits
Side Two
Mountain Greenery
Cottage for Sale
Take a Letter Miss Jones
Real Thing
Medley: Line for Lyons/Venus de Milo/Walking Shoes
Side Three
Medley: Watch What Happens/Fly Me to the Moon/You and the Night…
Isn’t It Romantic
Porgy and Bess Medley
The Folks Who Live on the Hill
Chase Me Charlie
Side Four
The Best Is Yet to Come
Isn’t It a Pity
Wave
I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan
Love for Sale
AMG 4 1/2 Star Rave Review
… presenting prime later Tormé who was, as usual, performing a nightclub show with a trio backup largely devoted to standards like Rodgers and Hart’s “Mountain Greenery,” Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields’ “Pick Yourself Up,” Cole Porter’s “Love for Sale” and a medley of songs from the Gershwins and DuBose Heyward’s Porgy and Bess. What is unusual is the “and Friends” part, as Tormé is joined by such complementary guests as Cy Coleman (who plays piano on his and Carolyn Leigh’s “The Best Is Yet to Come”), Gerry Mulligan (who performs on his and Tormé’s composition “Real Thing,” but whose solo medley has been cut), Jonathan Schwartz (who sings Lorenz Hart’s original lyric for the song that became “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan”) and one surprising but appropriate one: Janis Ian (who duets with Tormé on her own “Silly Habits”).