Torchy (24bt) (Mlps) [Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered]

Carmen McRae | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 3, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
• Label: Mca Japan
• ASIN: B00003Q49O
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #819,875 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Last Night When We Were Y

2. Speak Low

3. But Beautiful

4. If You'd Stay The Way I D

5. Midnight Sun

6. My Future Just Passed

7. Yesterday's

8. We Will Be Together Again

9. I'm A Dreamer Aren't We A

10. Good Morning Heartache

11. Star Eyes

12. I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carmen McRae: distinctive wit and sensuous intelligence, October 13, 2002

By 

Ian K. Hughes (San Mateo, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Torchy (24bt) (Mlps) (Audio CD)

The late Carmen McRae's "TORCHY" ( rec 1956 ) is a superior album of wonderful popular songs complimented by the tasteful arrangements of Jack Pleis. The album is beautifully programmed, full of bittersweet ( love lost or unrequited ) classics from the "Golden Era", some of which are listed below:

"But Beautiful" ( Burke & Van Heusen )
"Last Night When We Were Young ( Harburg & Arlen )
"Midnight Sun" ( Mercer & Hampton )
"Yesterdays" ( Harbach & Kern )
"My Future Just Passed" ( Marion & Whiting )
"We'll Be Together Again" ( Laine & Fischer )

While not possessing the virtuoso equipment of Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan ( though she is by no means a slouch technically ) McRae is the superior dramatist; her slightly smoky vocal timbre is married to a relaxed style of distinctive wit ( "bent" notes slightly off-key / unexpected shifts in register ) and sensuous intelligence ( think of Anna Karenina in her best moments ).

While Carmen McRae recorded many a jazz album, "TORCHY" is properly categorized as a "popular" offering. Jack Pleis' arrangements ( engineered with a "distant" sound ) do contain some jazzy elements ( swinging rhythm section and brief sax & flute solos ) amidst the reverb-laden strings; Pleis is certainly no Nelson Riddle but his work suits to a tee the album's mournful moodiness.

"TORCHY" is perfect for late evenings, its rarified nocturnal ruminations akin to other classic "torch" albums ( Sinatra's "ONLY THE LONELY" being the ne plus ultra of the genre ). And it is just one of the many great lp's Carmen McRae recorded during a long and distinguished "combination" career as jazz artist/chanteuse.