Singer, musician, composer and actor Mel Tormé was one of the influential hit-making vocalists who emerged in the post-war years, although Tormé, as a fine jazz performer and successful songwriter, transcended the description of “crooner” often applied to his contemporaries.
Making his debut when still in his teens, he had been recording since the latter years of World War Two and had written the classic hit The Christmas Song, before signing to Capitol in 1949.
This 52-track collection comprises selected A- and B-sides of his releases on the Capitol, Coral, Bethlehem, Verve and Atlantic labels during these years, including duets with Peggy Lee and Margaret Whiting – the creative orientation of some of those labels underlines the jazz dimension of his output.
It features all his chart entries from this era, including the US No.1 Careless Hands and the Top 10 hits Again, The Four Winds And The Seven Seas and Bewitched. UK Top 20 hits Mountain Greenery and Comin’ Home Baby also appear.
The recordings include some of the most noted arranger/conductors of the day, including Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Neal Hefti, Frank De Vol, Pete Rugolo, Marty Paich, Sonny Burke and others. It’s a fine showcase for one of the era’s classiest and most versatile performers. This collection perfectly complements Acrobat’s Mel Tormé - The Early Years 1944-47 (ACTRCD9086), released in August 2019.
TRACKS
Disc 1 |
|
|
Track |
Title |
Artist |
1 |
Careless Hands |
Mel Torme |
2 |
She's A Home Girl |
Mel Torme |
3 |
Again |
Mel Torme |
4 |
Blue Moon |
Mel Torme |
5 |
You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me |
Mel Torme |
6 |
There Isn't Any Special Reason |
Mel Torme |
7 |
The Four Winds And The Seven Seas |
Mel Torme |
8 |
Meadows Of Heaven |
Mel Torme |
9 |
There's A Broken Heart For Every Light On Broadway |
Mel Torme |
10 |
Oh You Beautiful Doll |
Mel Torme |
11 |
The Old Master Painter |
Peggy Lee And Mel Torme |
12 |
Bless You (For The Good That's In You) |
Peggy Lee And Mel Torme |
13 |
I Hadn't Anyone Till You |
Mel Torme |
14 |
Cross Your Heart |
Mel Torme |
15 |
The Piccolino |
Mel Torme |
16 |
Bewitched |
Mel Torme |
17 |
Do, Do, Do |
Mel Torme |
18 |
I Owe A Kiss To A Girl In Iowa |
Mel Torme |
19 |
Skylark |
Mel Torme |
20 |
Lullaby Of The Leaves |
Mel Torme |
21 |
The One For Me |
Mel Torme |
22 |
Don't Fan The Flame |
Peggy Lee And Mel Torme |
23 |
Telling Me Yes, Telling Me No |
Peggy Lee And Mel Torme |
24 |
My Buddy |
Mel Torme |
25 |
You're A Heavenly Thing |
Mel Torme |
Disc 2 |
|
|
Track |
Title |
Artist |
1 |
Black Moonlight |
Mel Torme |
2 |
Anywhere I Wander |
Mel Torme |
3 |
Blue Skies |
Mel Torme |
4 |
The Anything Can Happen Mambo |
Mel Torme |
5 |
Just One More Chance |
Mel Torme |
6 |
Tutti Frutti |
Mel Torme |
7 |
I'se A Muggin' |
Mel Torme |
8 |
All Of You |
Mel Torme |
9 |
Spellbound |
Mel Torme |
10 |
Rose O'Day |
Mel Torme |
11 |
It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) |
Mel Torme |
12 |
Goody Goody |
Mel Torme |
13 |
Jeepers Creepers |
Mel Torme |
14 |
My Rosemarie |
Mel Torme |
15 |
Mountain Greenery |
Mel Torme |
16 |
Bernie's Tune |
Mel Torme |
17 |
Lulu's Back In Town |
Mel Torme |
18 |
Keeping Myself For You |
Mel Torme |
19 |
At The Crossroads (Malaguena) |
Mel Torme |
20 |
Frenesi |
Mel Torme |
21 |
Walk Like A Dragon |
Mel Torme |
22 |
Hey, Look Me Over |
Margaret Whiting & Mel Torme |
23 |
What's New At The Zoo |
Margaret Whiting & Mel Torme |
24 |
Her Face |
Mel Torme |
25 |
Yes Indeed |
Mel Torme |
26 |
Comin' Home Baby |
Mel Torme |
27 |
Right Now |
Mel Torme |