Customer Reviews

A&E's Evening With Mel Torme

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I'm just a beginner in my appreciation for the great Mel, but I get the feeling that this disc caught him with his jazz combo on a night when everything was hitting on all cylinders. There is a feeling of joy in this music, with Mel scatting and singing the ballads and generating a lot of chemistry with the crowd at the Disney Institute. Even when he slows the pace down, really down, as with his version of "I Remember You" there is a happiness in his voice that conveys contentment with his lot in life, America's best living jazz vocalist when this was recorded (July 23, 1996). He must have felt a real appreciation for Cole Porter, with three songs on this disc. Mel also shows off for the crowd just enough to let everyone know that he's still got it. I tend to like the ballads best though, and my personal favorite is "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square". I'm not a jazz expert, but you don't have to be to love Mel Torme, and I think this is a special recording of him at his best.

I own a couple of Mel's earlier works, and although they are fine works with excellent vocals, I sincerely believe this album was his finest. His voice has a little edge to it that gives him a more soulful sound, as opposed to the "velvety" sound of his early career that he is so famous for. The selections are great, and you can truly feel an appreciation for his fans conveyed on this record like no other I have ever heard. As one of the other reviewers mentioned, every cylinder seemed to hitting the night this was recorded. The vocals are tremendous, and the trio is in perfect form. Also, it's a little funny, but every time I see Steffi Graf, I think of Mel Torme. He died on the day she won her last Grand Slam title (French Open).If you are even a little interested in Mel Torme, this would be the CD to start with.

Mel Torme shines brightly in his most recent work of art. He dazzles his audience with perfectly timed scat sequences then soothes them with wonderfully arranged ballads. This is a must, as is anything else he has recorded.

A month after Tormé recorded this performance at the Disney Institute one of jazz' greatest voices would be silenced when he suffered from a debilitating stroke and would never perform again.

The quality of this recording is very good with Mel performing with the trio he toured with at the end of his career. Mel was one of those singers that many say got better with age and this performance only goes on to prove that.

High points include a stellar opening medley of Cole Porter's Just One Of Those Things followed by On Green Dolphin Street. Other high points include a superb rendition of Stardust, great laughs in Since I Fell (On!) For You and a touching I Remember You. Mel also scats his way through a Benny Goodman medley and a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald on Lady Be Good.

Knowing his talents would be taken from us just a month after this performance it's hard to make it through Porter's Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye without shedding a tear. A phenomenal and underrated performer still very much at his peak when others in his genre were embarrassing.

Highly recommended especially if you're not familiar with Mel, it's a great introduction to this wonderful man and his music. His like will not be seen again. The only complaint I have is A&E not putting this out on DVD.

The "Velvet Fog", comes through again as classy, pure talent and a
one of a kind performer. No one comes close to matching the pure
and dynamic performance this guy with golden pipes does. From the fun he has with
"Pick Yourself Up", to his fantastic "Oh Lady Be Good", each song is a treat to the
ears and you'll know why he was and is, an American Treasure who will live
on and on.

Good music for easy listening while you read, relax or whatever. A short trip to oldies and goodies in the music world.