Torchy [Import, Original recording remastered]

Carmen McRae | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 6, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Universal/Decca
• ASIN: B000666TO4
• 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: #960,876 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Last Night When We Were Young

2. Speak Low (When You Speak Love)

3. But Beautiful

4. If You'd Stay The Way I Dream About You

5. Midnight Sun

6. My Future Just Passed

7. Yesterdays

8. We'll Be Together Again

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

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.