Customer Reviews

Bethlehem Years

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"The Bethlehem Years" is an excellent compilation covering the 1956-1958 period when Mel left the larger Capitol label for the artistic freedom offered by the smaller Bethlehem label. This Shout Factory release compiles tracks from each of these albums. The sound is crystal clear making the years melt away as Torme's inventive vocals grace the material. The first couple tracks are from "It's A Blue World" and are closer to the "velvet fog" vocals of Mel's previous era. Then Torme breaks out with the title track of "Lulu's Back In Town," sounding like Bobby Darin must have played the record repeatedly before recording "Mack the Knife." Marty Paich's arrangement has punch that backs Mel's blockbuster shotgun vocal, "I've gotta get my tuxedo pressed, got to sew a button on my vest 'cause tonight I've got to look my best for Lulu; I've got to find a few bucks somewhere, polish up my shoes & slick my hair, gotta get myself a boutonniere; You can tell all my bets, all my blondes & brunettes Mr. Otis regrets that he won't be around." It's stunning. This is followed by the Hart/Rodgers tune "The Lady Is A Tramp" with Red Mitchell's wild bass & Torme's teasing tongue, "She gets too hungry for dinner at eight, she loves the theatre but never comes late, she never bothers with people she hates." Another stunner! The Gershwin shuffle "Fascinating Rhythm" is another delight with Torme's vocals traversing the scales with dexterity. "I Got Plenty of Nuttin'" from "Porgy & Bess" has a sweet swing & sway groove. Torme's album celebrating the dancing of Fred Astaire offers several Gershwin gems, "Nice Work If You Can Get It" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me." There is a definite difference in sound quality on the live recording "Mel Torme @ the Crescendo," but the recording is clear and sparks from the live format on Duke Ellington's "I'm Beginning to See the Light." Cole Porter's "It's Delovely" and "It's All Right With Me" from the "Songs for Any Taste" LP read well. The CD concludes with a track from the "California Suite" LP, "Poor Little Extra Girl" that's a slow smooth weeper. "The Bethlehem Years" is an excellent compilation from one of Torme's most creative periods. Wow!

This is a superb collection of early Mel Torme recordings. I miss him more every day. He was a definite trend-setter. His voice is flawless. His style is terrific. What more can one say?