Customer Reviews

Songs of New York

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been told by many that Torme actually hated being called "The Velvet Fog." The more I listen to his work, the more I realize that he is so much more than a smooth voice. He's a swinger, crooner, belter, storyteller, etc (did you know he was also an exceptional vocal arranger?).
This tune exemplifies New York City in the early 1960s. Confident, expanding, rising, unstoppable, yet at the same time, it could be extremely lonely. None of this has changed a bit, mind you (I'm a native New Yorker), but there's something about that 60's swing style that goes hand in hand with the streets of Manhattan (as in Mancini's score for "Breakfast at Tiffany's"). ALl the tracks are terrific, and I think my favorite one is "Let Me off Uptown" only because he belts out that last night note in that perfect way.

Even though I'm a big Torme fan, I resisted buying this cd for a while, because I assumed his Atlantic recordings weren't as superb as the earlier stuff on Bethlehem and Verve, and because the concept of "songs of New York" didn't grab me. But this is an exceptional album, one of Torme's best. Though there are several arrangers, the songs flow together nicely, and every chart is bright and sharp. Torme is in great voice, improvising effortlessly without drowning the lyric; listen to how he subtly alters the refrain of the phrase "autumn in New York" or works in a very exciting scat before the instrumental break of "Let Me off Uptown." Get the Bethlehem cd of "Mel Torme and the Marty Paich Dek-Tette," and you can compare his earlier version of "Lullaby of Birdland" to the one here; both are unique and terrific.

Even if you wouldn't live in New York for a million dollars, this is an indispensable cd from one of the immortal singers.

This album was previously released as Atlantic 8091 under the title "Mel Torme: Sunday in New York and Other Songs About New York". However that album is likely to be unavailable in its original form. Mel Torme is the "velvet" voiced songster who made any song his own by adding a lick of "jazz" to almost all his collections. His like will never be heard again. These great smooth songs take you through the City of New York at a musically delicious magical time. This album is "a love song to New York City" by someone who really knew the city. The delights in this album are endless. "Autumn In New York" haunts you. While "The Brooklyn Bridge" and "Let Me Off Uptown" takes you on a breezy tour of NYC. Torme didn't forget the "old places" with his rendition of "Harlem Nocturne" and "Lullaby of Birdland". But I suggest you find your favorite tune among these choices and you can't go wrong as they are all sung in style and grace. Among the arrangers showcased in this album are John Williams, Dick Hazard, and Shorty Rogers. Though he didn't need to do so (his voice alone was often enough) Torme surrounded himself with the BEST musicians and arrangers. Each song is a vivid musical account of a place and time dear to the hearts of many people who regard New York as "the center of the universe" or "always wish they were there". In this album Torme takes us on a journey of "his city". His voice was at its best. I recommend this album highly. I have the original LP in vinyl and when it wore out, I replaced it with the CD. I was not disappointed. Get this CD first and if you have a little extra $$ left over check out Torme's CD with George Shearing (recorded live at a winery in California)OR for fun at the holidays his only fully recorded album of Christmas music. If you have these three CDs, you will have the "sum" of Torme's great voice.

Anyone who has ever spent even a weekend in New York will appreciate this conglomerate of special NYC material. And who could sing them better than the "Velvet Fog". Mel has recently died but this very old recording is still timely and superb!

This is my "comfort" cd now and back when it was a "tape" - maybe even an "album". It is a wonderful introduction to easy listening and sing-along jazz for the I'm-not-so-crazy-about-jazz person. I couldn't begin to choose a favorite because he pulls you in with each song whether it's lively and upbeat or slow and soulful. You won't be disappointed.

Only one way to say it: this is quintesential Mel. The Velvet Fog rolls into New York Harbor and gently takes you to all the old familiar places. A great recording for old and new fans of jazz and swing. The performance of "Harlem Nocturne" and the aching "There's a BrokenHeart for Every Light on Broadway" are particularly bright moments on tis marvelous record.

This is a very well done, hip and jazzy tribute to America's favorite city...a class act.

M. Torme also did a tribute to Califonia where he also wrote the music and lyrics (see "California Suite")

Well this album must be the ultimate Sunday summer drive album around. It shows Mel swing with ease through the songs of New York

I love everything about this album. Wonderful variety of songs by the one-and-only Velvet Fog. I'm not usually a jazz fan but this is too good to be missed.