im Tracy Torme a screenwriter producer in los angeles and I just really wanted to say that I really appreciated what you wrote about my Dad . We truly miss him. Thanks Tracy
Oh, Tracy i used to love your show on AM radio in LA on that station that disappeared about ten years ago. May I ask, did you write the beautiful inscription on your father's tomb at Peterson Cemetery, which I've often visited with respect and reverence?
Arguably the greatest singer of any genre in the last century. An astonishing array of musical talent wrapped up in just one individual : perfect intonation,incredible range,superb control,exquisite phrasing and, of course, that beautiful sound . What a talent! I doubt that we'll see his like again.
My all time favourite singer!!! Saw him 3 times in concert - and he was amazing. one concert was at a winery and it was an intimate setting with Mel and George Shearing on piano. What a show!
Arguably the best vocalist of the 20th century. And certainly one of the top ten musicians of the 20th century. Anyone lucky enough to experience him live will have a memory for a lifetime.
@@AliAsif303 At this end of the pool, the difference is incalculable. I think Mel is better, but please, don't take it to mean Frank isn't great. Again, the rarified air they sing in, it may just come down to how your ear hears.
I did in Australia in the early '70's...man..he blew everyone out of the room.......he hypnotised us with his musical energy.....played guitar, piano & drums (he was a child prodigy drummer!!)...and then there's his unique vocal arrangements......phew.....
In no way was he underestimated or underrated. Coming from the Crooner era he was well known just as Frank Sinatra was. He had a mono tone voice, he had more range than most crooners but still limited. Most singers that can hit low notes and extremely high notes are rock singers believe it or not! Warrell Dane (died in 2017), Michael Sweet, Parrymore McCarty, Rob Halford, all have a wider vocal range than Torme!!! Yes they too can sing Crooner as well, and still singing today!
@@Malte-MichaIm sorry but you cannot the draw similariites between Mel and the rock singers you mentioned simply because their breath of music and material was so polar and opposite. Mel has an extensive range but would only showcase it if the material calls for it or is appropriate. I dont think Stardust which is a romantic soft ballad would call for theatrics and extreme vocal range hence its unfair to draw judgements or make any sort of conclusion.
@@arlenecerf8833 Mel can sing, Streisand can sing, their voices lasted because of the genre they are singing, they dont strain their voice like other singers., they do have range. Warrell Dane and King Diamond have a broader range wich is shocking due to their genre. King diamond in near 70 and he can still hit the high notes! Mariah Carey cant even hit her same notes and she way younger than Diamond! There are people that can sing but are NOT apart of the Crooner genre or elevator music however you wish to call it. thats what I brought to the attention
My wife and I were lucky enough to see Mel live at Michael's Pub in NYC 25, 28 years ago? Time flies. Great singer and you can see here and a great musician. As for Frank Wess... you can hear it hear it here. A Count Basie Band veteran and so much more than that, if there is more than that. Great artists. I miss them hearing them both live but video and audio recordings mean we will always have them close to us.
My mother had a jewelry box with a music box with Stardust. I never understood what was special about this song until I heard Mel Torme sing it. Now she has passed and I tear up every time I hear this.
Am back watching . ...... geeze, I miss Mel .... when I'm feel sad and a wee bit lonely , I like to watch and listen to him. My hubby and I were so fortunate to see him in person several times. There are no words to express the joy and pleasure of watching and hearing the artistry of Mel Torme in person and remembering when we were all there.
This is consummate artistry at it's finest hour. This talented musician never received his proper due. I think this is due to his ever-so lofty talent that probably made him a musician's musician. The phrasing and feeling in this version sends it soaring high above most other versions. God bless this man and his voice, and thank you indeed Mr. Nicemanko- whoever and wherever you are.
Mel mixed amazing jazz musicality with a beautiful tenderness. What a great talent. I met him for 30 seconds after a show in the 80s, right around the time he was making appearances on the sitcom Night Court. Suddenly, he had young listeners again and he was basking in the late-career attention.
This man was a walking singing arranging fool!! Just to say the least about Mr. Torme. He wrote sung and arranged his bee hind off. I truly do miss ever seeing him and of course hearing him in person. But everytime I hear him it's as though I'm right in the room with him. That's just how powerful his singing art is.
WOW!!! He really took care of his exceptional instrument. So terrific. Never abused it like so many of the greats did. Mel Torme, truly one of the greatest male vocalist ever. And also an amazing songwriter.
This in my view is the greatest performance of any singer I have ever seen. You know he has been there, the emotion he gets from this is almost too much.
The intro to Stardust is without a doubt the best intro ever written to the Chorus of any American art song. Such a wonderful thing to hear it reprised at the end. Several performance of Mel doing this, but this is arguably the best on youtube.
I was fortunate to see Mel live on two occasions: Once by himself and once with the incomparable master George Shearing. My wife and I also met him in person after his solo performance. We told him that “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square” was our song, but he seemed singularly unimpressed. Which detracts not at all from his talent. “Stardust” was my late mother’s favourite song, and now I know why.
I"m jealous of every single person that was in that room when he sang that...lucky people! Amazing what Mel could do! There isn't one singer from today who could do this.
If I had to give the name of my favorite jazz musician, although it would be so difficult because there are so many good musicians, I would definitely say Mel Tormé. His phrasing was superb, his voice a delight to listen to, his sense of rhythm incomparable. And he seemed like the most charming man ever. And the older he got, the best his voice became. From a light tenor to an almost baritone.
Heaven in one voice. He always made musical choices with such intuition and inspiration --- every song is a story that just wraps around you. Such control! I learned more about being an accomplished singer by studying his recordings than I ever did as a music major in college! Thank you, Mr. Torme. You are a gift to the ages......
No screaming, just a voice that is like velvet….( older folks like me will understand the reference). Smooth and rich. To me the best male jazz singer of all time.
the mark of a good singer is that you don't hear air pass when they sing very softly. It's all vocal tone. Not many singers can do this, but Mel Torme does this wonderfully.
Never heard Stardust sung with this kind of lyrical and phrased perfection. Torme was not only a vocalist, but a composer, a pianist, and even played drums. He was also an ardent student of the history of jazz. Really one of the top jazz artists of our lifetime and not heralded nearly as much as he should be.
This ,for me,is the definitive performance of this beautiful song rendered by a musical genius and a true master of song .l doubt that we will see his like again.
His vocal range is just incredible! We'll never have another singer again who will be able to match Mel Torme's artistry! What a great rendition of this great song!
one of the absolute best jazz albums of all time in my opinion....Mel Torme with Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass. It's one of those rare recordings that every track is good.
I have listened to Mel Torme since I was 4 years old!...Born in 1962 My parents exposed me to music that was so wonderful and talent that is not even shared today. I Love Mr Torme and all the music that he sang and composed . Folks this is music at its best and I am so sorry that he is gone but he left me with a gift that money cannot buy. Thank you for showing this it brings tears and memories.
Add me to the list of those here who saw him live (a surprise from a friend) and grew up knowing he was one of the greats. 1981, Was the guest of a sound engineer who did some of the biggest movies in Hollywood, brought us out for a night on the town in Manhattan. We had already been to a throwback speakeasy in a 4th floor townhouse on 57th St and went down near the Empire State bldg to a downstairs supper club called Buddy's Place. Yes, THAT Buddy...Buddy Rich and his jazz big band! Mel was the guest singer - and it was Buddy's birthday! Mel even played drums a bit - he was really good - and at the end they brought out a birthday cake, upon which a cake fight broke out, with the two of them chasing each other around us, throwing cake and cracking us audience up :-D It was the show of a lifetime. Mel wasn't the star Frank was, but he was musically every bit his equal.
Beautiful singing and orchestration. Found by chance as I am watching Friends on Netflix and Joey mentioned Mel Torme and I was curious. Very glad I have been introduced to Mel Torme.
Such a beautiful voice, during my time spent in Australia in the mid 60' and still in my teens I used to listen to him constantly....... and Frank Sinatra of coarse !
i searched far and wide to find someone who approached this standard as brilliantly as Sarah Vaughn did, Mel comes in at a worthy second place, Sarah's wordless opening on this song has no peer...
Not for nothing, but had this conversation w Mick Hucknall of Simply Red that his range was high for a male vocalist and that Gladys Knight, for example, was a model - he bristled a bit but admitted to that comparison. Tormé was the same - certainly not Jimmy Scott territory - but few men occupied that vocal range w/o slipping into falsetto or committing to 'Irish Tenor'. Unique. Irreplaceable.
I remember meeting him backstage in the late eighties. The most humble and warm personality wrapped around this stellar talent. There will never be another Mel.
And now the purple dusk of twilight time Steals across the meadows of my heart High up in the sky the little stars climb Always reminding me that we're apart You wandered down the lane and far away Leaving me a song that will not die Love is now the stardust of yesterday The music of the years gone by Sometimes I wonder how I spend The lonely night Dreaming of a song The melody haunts my reverie And I am once again with you When our love was new And each kiss an inspiration But that was long ago And now my consolation Is in the stardust of a song Besides the garden wall When stars are bright You are in my arms The nightingale tells his fairytale Of paradise where roses grew Though I dream in vain In my heart it will remain My stardust melody A memory of love's refrain
Geez....I would have killed to be at that performance! Torme was the best jazz singer of his generation-really before, or since-and he worked with some of the greatest instrumentalists around in his day. "Stardust" is one of those incredibly fascinating songs of which there are so very few. Harmonically and melodically, it is one of a kind.
Agree x2. I simply cannot compare any other jazz vocalist to Mr. Torme, though I quite enjoy many others. But Torme sang so much from his heart and seemingly without the egotistic showiness that too many singers indulge in. When I have a friend mention that he's been listening to Sinatra, I always point them towards Mel's amazing album with George Shearing and then get back to me.
Yes, exactly. I have two Torme/Shearing albums. An incredible match, those two. What I always marvel at (and which Torme himself loved to showcase) was his unbelievable intonation. He'd hang on last notes what what seemed an eternity and they were always, always dead on in pitch. Their recording of "Clear Out of This World" (From the Paul Masson Vinyard album) is simply stupendous. Sinatra was right in describing himself as a "saloon singer." He had his own gifts which were different than Torme's. He could "sell" a song. Torme, on the other hand, was much the better musician. He was a singer's singer. He did it all.
![Mel Tormé- Interview (60th Anniversary/Buddy Rich Bio) 9-13-90 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4T6yciyR6rI/mqdefault.jpg)
im Tracy Torme a screenwriter producer in los angeles and I just really wanted to say that I really appreciated what you wrote about my Dad . We truly miss him. Thanks Tracy
One of my all time favourites. Was he as sweet as he appears.
Oh, Tracy i used to love your show on AM radio in LA on that station that disappeared about ten years ago. May I ask, did you write the beautiful inscription on your father's tomb at Peterson Cemetery, which I've often visited with respect and reverence?
He is one of my favorite singers watched him on TV amazed what a gift
Tracy is now with her dad again as she has died in January of 2024
I love this , his voice is awesome, my favorite version of Stardust
My dad proposed to my mom when they saw Mel live, and he sang this song while he slipped the ring on her finger.
Lord have Mercy...I have no words.....I wish everyone could feel this. Pure real Soul
Arguably the greatest singer of any genre in the last century. An astonishing array of musical talent wrapped up in just one individual : perfect intonation,incredible range,superb control,exquisite phrasing and, of course, that beautiful sound . What a talent! I doubt that we'll see his like again.
Who "argues" that? He's a wonderful singer, but his genre is relatively minor--much as I love it.
i realize it's kinda off topic but do anybody know of a good place to stream newly released movies online?
@Anders Conner flixportal
My all time favourite singer!!! Saw him 3 times in concert - and he was amazing. one concert was at a winery and it was an intimate setting with Mel and George Shearing on piano. What a show!
Arguably the best vocalist of the 20th century. And certainly one of the top ten musicians of the 20th century. Anyone lucky enough to experience him live will have a memory for a lifetime.
Well there's him and the man called by Frank Sinatra himself as "the best set of pipes in the business", Vic Damone.
@@AliAsif303 At this end of the pool, the difference is incalculable. I think Mel is better, but please, don't take it to mean Frank isn't great. Again, the rarified air they sing in, it may just come down to how your ear hears.
@@lesparks126 I agree with you 100% -that Mel is the better singer, but that both are great!
He's no Miley Cyrus that's for sure. What's his name again? and does anyone know does he do weddings and small private parties?
He's not better than Nat King Cole. Even Sinatra admitted he was the best.
Mr. Torme sure has a lot of love in his heart.
You don't hear musicality like this ever day
I wouldnt trade Mel for anyone. He is eternally missed so glad we have the memories ❤️❤️
I did in Australia in the early '70's...man..he blew everyone out of the room.......he hypnotised us with his musical energy.....played guitar, piano & drums (he was a child prodigy drummer!!)...and then there's his unique vocal arrangements......phew.....
What a set of pipes on that old man--massive talent, musical ability--fantastic!
One of my favorite songs sung by one of the greatest singer of my day.
One of the most underrated voices of American music! I miss his talent! He was better than anyone singing today!!!
In no way was he underestimated or underrated. Coming from the Crooner era he was well known just as Frank Sinatra was. He had a mono tone voice, he had more range than most crooners but still limited. Most singers that can hit low notes and extremely high notes are rock singers believe it or not!
Warrell Dane (died in 2017), Michael Sweet, Parrymore McCarty, Rob Halford, all have a wider vocal range than Torme!!! Yes they too can sing Crooner as well, and still singing today!
No
@@Malte-MichaIm sorry but you cannot the draw similariites between Mel and the rock singers you mentioned simply because their breath of music and material was so polar and opposite. Mel has an extensive range but would only showcase it if the material calls for it or is appropriate. I dont think Stardust which is a romantic soft ballad would call for theatrics and extreme vocal range hence its unfair to draw judgements or make any sort of conclusion.
@@Malte-Michathats like saying Barbra Streisand didn’t have range because she didn’t sang like Yma Sumac or Maria Callas
@@arlenecerf8833 Mel can sing, Streisand can sing, their voices lasted because of the genre they are singing, they dont strain their voice like other singers., they do have range.
Warrell Dane and King Diamond have a broader range wich is shocking due to their genre. King diamond in near 70 and he can still hit the high notes! Mariah Carey cant even hit her same notes and she way younger than Diamond! There are people that can sing but are NOT apart of the Crooner genre or elevator music however you wish to call it. thats what I brought to the attention
Torme's diction soft tones & lyric understanding are just beautiful...the band wow!!
Have spent a lot of time listening to Mel and George. We miss them too.
I'm speechless. This is about as high level you can achieve as a human in Music. A True All Time Great Master. Bravo.
My wife and I were lucky enough to see Mel live at Michael's Pub in NYC 25, 28 years ago? Time flies. Great singer and you can see here and a great musician. As for Frank Wess... you can hear it hear it here. A Count Basie Band veteran and so much more than that, if there is more than that. Great artists. I miss them hearing them both live but video and audio recordings mean we will always have them close to us.
How lucky!!!!
My mother had a jewelry box with a music box with Stardust. I never understood what was special about this song until I heard Mel Torme sing it. Now she has passed and I tear up every time I hear this.
What Mel feels when he sings this is what every musician just wishes they could convey about their own love of music. When listening.
His music is so soothing, just melts the stress.away.
Am back watching . ...... geeze, I miss Mel .... when I'm feel sad and a wee bit lonely , I like to watch and listen to him. My hubby and I were so fortunate to see him in person several times. There are no words to express the joy and pleasure of watching and hearing the artistry of Mel Torme in person and remembering when we were all there.
Listening to Mel is akin to taking a master class in proper singing. You are missed!
Torme was a genius gift to jazz, and the world
His first note went straight to my heart....magnificent!
his voice is like a beautifully tuned instrument, which he plays impeccably
This is consummate artistry at it's finest hour. This talented musician never received his proper due. I think this is due to his ever-so lofty talent that probably made him a musician's musician. The phrasing and feeling in this version sends it soaring high above most other versions. God bless this man and his voice, and thank you indeed Mr. Nicemanko- whoever and wherever you are.
Great musicien and singer was this Sir,, Mr Mel Torme, should never die, he is my inspiration.
Mel mixed amazing jazz musicality with a beautiful tenderness. What a great talent. I met him for 30 seconds after a show in the 80s, right around the time he was making appearances on the sitcom Night Court. Suddenly, he had young listeners again and he was basking in the late-career attention.
This man melts me. And is a true inspiration. 'Look at me from heaven Mel, I will make you proud'.
Mel Torme was the best! I don't understand how he is so forgotten.
Jake Drew No way, never will be forgotten don't worry :)
+Jake Drew not forgotten here! I love the man, now and forever.
HE WAS ALWAYS THE BEST, RIGHT NEXT TO FRANK!!
Don't forget Tony Bennett......
Dave La Violette oh don't worry. Not forgotten here.
This man was a walking singing arranging fool!! Just to say the least about Mr. Torme. He wrote sung and arranged his bee hind off. I truly do miss ever seeing him and of course hearing him in person. But everytime I hear him it's as though I'm right in the room with him. That's just how powerful his singing art is.
Amazing singer . Out of this world.
MY FAVOURITE SONG EVER SUNG TO PERFECTION BY THE WONDERFUL MEL TORME,BACKED BY THE INCREDIBLE FRANK WESS.
AMAZING & SO,SO PERFECT
WOW!!! He really took care of his exceptional instrument. So terrific. Never abused it like so many of the greats did.
Mel Torme, truly one of the greatest male vocalist ever. And also an amazing songwriter.
Always loved Mel Torme version of this Beloved Song, he was such a great singer of songs that were A part of A Golden Time in our world.
This in my view is the greatest performance of any singer I have ever seen. You know he has been there, the emotion he gets from this is almost too much.
this is so touching. so beautiful. thank you so much for posting.
The intro to Stardust is without a doubt the best intro ever written to the Chorus of any American art song. Such a wonderful thing to hear it reprised at the end. Several performance of Mel doing this, but this is arguably the best on youtube.
Perfection. Right before your ears, ladies and gentlemen.
Susan DA Where is the talent today? A thing of the past. Way way lost in the past.
The most talented singer of all time. Miss him.
I was fortunate to see Mel live on two occasions: Once by himself and once with the incomparable master George Shearing. My wife and I also met him in person after his solo performance. We told him that “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square” was our song, but he seemed singularly unimpressed. Which detracts not at all from his talent.
“Stardust” was my late mother’s favourite song, and now I know why.
what a performance what a performace! He deliver the song to your ear, to your head, to your heart.
NO ONE I MEAN NO ONE! CAN BEAT THIS GUY!
It's that perfect pitch, you can't have this amazeing of a voice without perfect pitch. Every note is so perfect, and so soft and smooth.
Perfection. Excellence. Greatness.
The best of the best, no contest! RIP Mr Mel Torme
Артисты этого уже, к сожалению, ушедшего поколения все пропускали через сердце и душу. Высочайшее мастерство и абсолютная красота. Браво!!!
This has been voted as #1 song of all time.
Thank You MR. CARMICHAEL
Sooo awesome. Hold that note, man, sing that song!!!
such a truly jazz singer... golden Mel!
What an absolutely dazzling performance. Hoagy would be very proud!
I"m jealous of every single person that was in that room when he sang that...lucky people! Amazing what Mel could do! There isn't one singer from today who could do this.
This song was the greatest standard of all standards. Anyone who was someone recorded this tune. Even great songwriters/performers such as Mr. Torme.
If I had to give the name of my favorite jazz musician, although it would be so difficult because there are so many good musicians, I would definitely say Mel Tormé. His phrasing was superb, his voice a delight to listen to, his sense of rhythm incomparable. And he seemed like the most charming man ever. And the older he got, the best his voice became. From a light tenor to an almost baritone.
Mel sings this song with such perfection. Tone, Melody, and Character!!!
What a beautiful voice. I am so glad to have found this video. Thank you
Holy cow! I forget how good of a singer he is. Will have to listen to more this year. So smoooth.
Heaven in one voice. He always made musical choices with such intuition and inspiration --- every song is a story that just wraps around you. Such control! I learned more about being an accomplished singer by studying his recordings than I ever did as a music major in college! Thank you, Mr. Torme. You are a gift to the ages......
The epitome of the beauty of vocal jazz art
Thats what it sounds like when three geniuses combine and create something immortal. The voice, the sax and the songwriter.
I agree 100%
Pure magic
One of the top 10 vocalists & in my opinion the best tune ever composed
Amazing sounds & so,so good.
Voice never ages.
Just absolutely sublime, a name to remember for always.Mel you were incomparable
Wonderful voice. So expressive. Also a very nice man. So lucky to have had him.
I love this song and love listening to Mel Torme perform.
Brings back memories of my youth. I've gone all dreamy
No screaming, just a voice that is like velvet….( older folks like me will understand the reference). Smooth and rich. To me the best male jazz singer of all time.
beautiful what a voice, i remember my sister 14 years older always playing his records, such lovely memories...
An absolute beautiful vocalist performance of to my ear the world's greatest song !
Of all the great popular/jazz singers he was the most underrated.
the mark of a good singer is that you don't hear air pass when they sing very softly. It's all vocal tone. Not many singers can do this, but Mel Torme does this wonderfully.
Again, Mel's voice was an instrument with absolute pitch; this is a gift-either you have it or you don't.
Roger Plafkin--Plafkin Farms, Ada, Michigan
Melvin Tormé.....La classe !..........A écouter religieusement !
This is the best vocal version of this song that I've ever heard. Thanks for posting!
Never heard Stardust sung with this kind of lyrical and phrased perfection. Torme was not only a vocalist, but a composer, a pianist, and even played drums. He was also an ardent student of the history of jazz. Really one of the top jazz artists of our lifetime and not heralded nearly as much as he should be.
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 73yo Aussie fan.
This ,for me,is the definitive performance of this beautiful song rendered by a musical genius and a true master of song .l doubt that we will see his like again.
Nat King Cole owns this song. PERIOD!
All I say is beautiful simply beautiful/what talent what true inner beauty/it is 2023 and this performance is still great
Pure perfection by a superb vocalist together with that amazing Frank Wess,performing what must be one of the top 20 songs ever composed.
Well done.
His vocal range is just incredible! We'll never have another singer again who will be able to match Mel Torme's artistry! What a great rendition of this great song!
One of the greatest songs ever written.
one of the absolute best jazz albums of all time in my opinion....Mel Torme with Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass. It's one of those rare recordings that every track is good.
Absolutely magical. Goosebumps material.
I love Mel Tormé.
I have listened to Mel Torme since I was 4 years old!...Born in 1962 My parents exposed me to music that was so wonderful and talent that is not even shared today. I Love Mr Torme and all the music that he sang and composed . Folks this is music at its best and I am so sorry that he is gone but he left me with a gift that money cannot buy. Thank you for showing this it brings tears and memories.
Splendid version this inmortal Melody, thank GREAT DADDY
Add me to the list of those here who saw him live (a surprise from a friend) and grew up knowing he was one of the greats. 1981, Was the guest of a sound engineer who did some of the biggest movies in Hollywood, brought us out for a night on the town in Manhattan. We had already been to a throwback speakeasy in a 4th floor townhouse on 57th St and went down near the Empire State bldg to a downstairs supper club called Buddy's Place. Yes, THAT Buddy...Buddy Rich and his jazz big band! Mel was the guest singer - and it was Buddy's birthday! Mel even played drums a bit - he was really good - and at the end they brought out a birthday cake, upon which a cake fight broke out, with the two of them chasing each other around us, throwing cake and cracking us audience up :-D It was the show of a lifetime. Mel wasn't the star Frank was, but he was musically every bit his equal.
One and only greatest jazz vocalist in the world that I think!
Inolvidable! Neforgesebla, Mel Tormé.
Beautiful singing and orchestration. Found by chance as I am watching Friends on Netflix and Joey mentioned Mel Torme and I was curious. Very glad I have been introduced to Mel Torme.
This performance by Mel is definitely for anyone who has ever been in love; and anyone who has ever had a love affair with art.
Such a beautiful voice, during my time spent in Australia in the mid 60' and still in my teens I used to listen to him constantly....... and Frank Sinatra of coarse !
I wish i could have been there.....,perfection.
Go Mel! A lovely way to enter 2014...
The singing... the sax... sooooo beautiful :-)
i searched far and wide to find someone who approached this standard as brilliantly as Sarah Vaughn did, Mel comes in at a worthy second place, Sarah's wordless opening on this song has no peer...
Not for nothing, but had this conversation w Mick Hucknall of Simply Red that his range was high for a male vocalist and that Gladys Knight, for example, was a model - he bristled a bit but admitted to that comparison.
Tormé was the same - certainly not Jimmy Scott territory - but few men occupied that vocal range w/o slipping into falsetto or committing to 'Irish Tenor'.
Unique. Irreplaceable.
OMG! Awsome just perfect!
I remember meeting him backstage in the late eighties. The most humble and warm personality wrapped around this stellar talent. There will never be another Mel.
And now the purple dusk of twilight time
Steals across the meadows of my heart
High up in the sky the little stars climb
Always reminding me that we're apart
You wandered down the lane and far away
Leaving me a song that will not die
Love is now the stardust of yesterday
The music of the years gone by
Sometimes I wonder how I spend
The lonely night
Dreaming of a song
The melody haunts my reverie
And I am once again with you
When our love was new
And each kiss an inspiration
But that was long ago
And now my consolation
Is in the stardust of a song
Besides the garden wall
When stars are bright
You are in my arms
The nightingale tells his fairytale
Of paradise where roses grew
Though I dream in vain
In my heart it will remain
My stardust melody
A memory of love's refrain
As my friend Wanda Gregory, one of the original founders of the Texas Jazz Festival, said that the lyrics of those old songs are sheer poetry.
Ye! The velvet fog so charming and unforgettable
Geez....I would have killed to be at that performance! Torme was the best jazz singer of his generation-really before, or since-and he worked with some of the greatest instrumentalists around in his day. "Stardust" is one of those incredibly fascinating songs of which there are so very few. Harmonically and melodically, it is one of a kind.
I could not agree more. He had a talent that has never been matched.
Agree x2. I simply cannot compare any other jazz vocalist to Mr. Torme, though I quite enjoy many others. But Torme sang so much from his heart and seemingly without the egotistic showiness that too many singers indulge in. When I have a friend mention that he's been listening to Sinatra, I always point them towards Mel's amazing album with George Shearing and then get back to me.
none better!
Yes, exactly. I have two Torme/Shearing albums. An incredible match, those two. What I always marvel at (and which Torme himself loved to showcase) was his unbelievable intonation. He'd hang on last notes what what seemed an eternity and they were always, always dead on in pitch. Their recording of "Clear Out of This World" (From the Paul Masson Vinyard album) is simply stupendous.
Sinatra was right in describing himself as a "saloon singer." He had his own gifts which were different than Torme's. He could "sell" a song. Torme, on the other hand, was much the better musician. He was a singer's singer. He did it all.