Customer Reviews

16 Most Requested Songs

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a huge Mel Torme fan and the renditions on this "Most Requested" cd are some of his finest. However, you would do yourself a big favor by purchasing the CD "That's All" instead. Why? Because "That's All" contains all of the songs on this cd plus 8 more, and, because it was re-mastered in 1997, it sounds much better.

All of the reviews for this cd are correct. It is a superb collection of songs performed by a true vocal master. That is why I am certain you will appreciate the additional and re-mastered versions contained on "That's All" even more.

IF YOU LOVED LISTENING TO MEL AS I HAVE THIS CD IS ONE OF HIS BEST AND A MUST TO OWN IT. WHAT A LOSS LOSING THIS FANTASTIC TALENT. I MISS HIM DESPERATELY.

I mean really relax. This CD has been criticized for being "too mellow", for not being "jazzy" enough. Well, sometimes mellow is good. I especially enjoy "mellow" after a hard day at work. But I don't enjoy the shallow, John Tesh kind of mellow. I like good jazz and this CD contains a lot of good jazz, expertly performed by a master jazz vocalist. Sure, its mellow and relaxing, but so are Monet's "Water Lilies", and I am not afraid to compare Torme to Monet. Especially on this CD, Mel handles the lyrics, as well as the tunes, in the same deceptively simple manner that Monet used in painting. This CD may sound simple, just as Monet may look simple, but that is where the genius may be found: in a simplicity that is easily overlooked unless the listener (or the viewer of a good Monet) slows down enough to understand what the artist is doing. You have to relax. Once you do, the art rewards you over and over as the artist's subtle creativity is gradually revealed. This is a great jazz CD. Slow down, relax and listen.

I LOVED MEL. I KNOW HE HATED BEING CALLED THE VELVET FOG BUT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HIS VOICE WAS - VELVET. THERE WASN'T A SONG HE COULDN'T SING. I GO BACK A LONG TIME WHEN I WOULD WRITE TO THE DJ'S TO PLAY HIS RECORDINGS FOR ME. THERE WASN'T A SONG HE COULDN'T SING. MEL WAS A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING AND WHAT A LOSS WE SUFFER WITH HIS PASSING.

I can see why he was nicknamed the Velvet Fog. His voice is beautiful and full. While these songs may not be the jazz standards that most die hard fans love and appreciate, they are still beautiful and nicely produced. The songs on this album are more romantic and softer especially Strangers in the Night, my all time personal favorite of his. The one thing I loved most about this era was that the singers actually had talent.

Mel Torme enjoyed a much deserved prosperous career spanning several decades as he sang to the delight of millions. This CD offers us sixteen of his bigger hits, although as some reviewers correctly note, this CD covers the 1960s in depth without touching at all upon his other work. However, the material that we do get from this CD is excellent quality throughout.

The CD track set begins with "P.S. I Love You." Mel sings the first few notes a cappella and when the music comes in this number is truly beautiful. Mel sings passionately and very sweetly as he sings of a letter he writes to his sweetheart. Love the use of strings in the musical arrangement! "Haven't We Met?" swings lightly as Mel sings of his plans for time alone with his one true love. The strings and horns work well for this number even though they almost drown Mel out once or twice along the way.

Other gems on this CD include "The Nearness Of You;" Mel massages this classic ballad very well to make it a masterpiece. "I've Got You Under My Skin" gets a light Latin beat to enhance this number; and Mel delivers this without a superfluous note. Mel plays with the tempo just a bit to make "I've Got You Under My Skin" all his very own--excellent! In addition, "That's All" gets the royal treatment from Mel as he performs this so sweetly at a slower tempo that infuses "That's All" with a decidedly romantic effect.

"Strangers In The Night" begins with a musical flourish; and when Mel comes in he takes this number to new heights. The percussion enhances the beauty of this number and Mel uses his full vocal range to make "Strangers In The Night" truly memorable.

Although this album lacks any holiday theme, the CD ends fittingly with "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)." Mel always did a sublime rendition of this ballad; and this track leaves you wanting more. I predict you will enjoy this number as if it were new to you even if you've already heard Mel sing this one before.

The liner notes include the song credits and recording dates. Roy Hemming contributes a fine essay as well. I have to give this CD four stars because, as other reviewers point out, this CD is almost exclusively comprised of recordings from the 1960s; and Mel sang for more than three decades. There is little jazz to be found on this CD either.

Mel Torme remains one of the most successful entertainers of the twentieth century; and this all too brief CD amply proves it well. I recommend this CD for fans of Mel Torme. In addition, if you're not familiar with Mel's artistry and you want to become more familiar with Mel's work this CD is a great place to start.

Fortunately, Tormé's output for Columbia Records was not big. Here you'll find a compilation CD where Mel proves total command of his singing though he is a prisoner of mellow and full-of-violin arrangements. Beautiful as someone could say. But not for his Jazz fans. Also it lacks all that creative vocalizing which is the main trace of his jazz performances.

All the best of Mel Torme. Sounds just like Michael Buble'. Perfect crooner!