What atmosphere! An all round excellent performance - Even down to the raincoat draped across the shoulders: so debonair. Mel Torme is one of the most polished singers and simply oozes class. I love this clip.
@ChavaAyanna I'm here because of Night Court, too. Can't remember hearing of Mel Torme before, I must have, but I'm glad I TH-camd him. Thanks, Judge Harry.
I found it. It's called Mountain Greenery, it's by Rogers and Hart; it's been recorded by dozens of singers and musicians, including Mel Torme in 1955 when I was 16. Mustangred will be pleased to know that his little insult was actually my first ever answer to a query on my first ever computer. Memorable.
Four o'clock this first of May I woke and remembered a song I liked as a teenager, Mel Torme singing 'On the first of May, it is moving day....in our mountain greenery where God paints the scenery......bless our mountain greenery home.' Can't see it here. Does anyone know, please, what it was called?
The Nat King Cole show aired during the mid-50's and was finally cancelled due to lack of sponsorship be cause of Nat's race. So, I would place this video about 1955-1957. I dig Mel, too!
Message for Edwin..I am a faithful fan of Barry Manilow (he's the tops) but also Mel was really a great singer, as you say, at least in the 50s. I even met him and got an autograph on one of his LPs at a BBC show in London!!
I think the same. Even thought I like Frank Sinatra that I Know a long time ago. MEL TORMÉ, as for me was better. He was known as one of the greatest singers in Jazz history and Im sorry I didnt know him till a few years ago here on TH-cam. I thank to Sukapura by uploading it.
I love the fake-out at 2:12-14 where he acts like he's going to end the song for a split second, then, as if on a 'spur of the moment' whim, he decides he's going to give you a little more for good measure. Go Mel.
I remember foggy days in London when you could not see your hand in front of your face. But the British Museum was the very place to go on such a day. Torme tries to do too much in this song - he greaks up the flow. But what a voice!
Fred Astaire was certainly an underrated singer (Cole Porter wrote frequently with Astaire in mind) but he's no Mel Tormé. Tormé was quite simply one of the most gifted vocalists this planet has ever seen -- flawless technique with incomparable smoothness that the rest of us, including Michael Bublé, can only hope to aspire to. This is a great slow tempo version allowing Mel to showcase some of that trademarked smoothness. The king of cool!
You're talking about the greatest singer of all time...check out his North Sea live concert series 1981....mind boggling musicality..he was a Russian immigrant to the USA......a virtuoso drummer....
I remember foggy days in London when you could not see your hand in front of your face. But the British Museum was the very place to go on such a day. Torme tries to do too much in this song - he breaks up the flow. But what a voice!
LYRICS A Foggy Day (in London Town) Music by George Gershwin Lyrics by Ira Gershwin As sung by Mel Torme [Transcribed in Vim by ShakespeareCafe] A foggy day in London town had me low it had me down I viewed the morning with alarm the British Museum lost its charm how long I wonder could this thing last but the age of miracles hadn't past for suddenly you were there and through foggy London town the sun was shining everywhere for, suddenly you stood there and through foggy London town the sun was shining everywhere
@pandorabangles I remember how much this was debated between Christine Sullivan & Harry Stone on Night Court LOL. I never knew Mel Torme existed until Night Court
i've often heard that saying a lot but always wondered what "for good measure" meant?...fer serious tho...i'm new to Mel's music and i LOVE it! In fact, if it wasn't for the judge on Night Court 80's tv show, i would of never heard of him...but i also like Michael Buble's verion of this song...did mel write this song?
@MattieSongbird Right. And Frank's a storyteller. Frank tells a story and makes you feel like he sympathizes with you. That's a whole different thing than music. One thing though--Frank had better arrangers and bands than anyone. So the music in the background of his singing: (Wee Small Hours, Close to You, Swingin' Lovers, Where are You, Come Fly With Me, No one Cares, Only the Lonely....) is spectacular. Arrangements and music are very important to me.
From one Canadian to another- Mel Torme lives on through artists like Barry Manilow. I call Mel the Barry Manilow of the 40's and 50's. I was around back then and I remember Mel very well as the radio stations used to play his records quite a bit.
Sorry, he wasnt. Count Basie was a Bandleader, composer and musician. He was queen on piano and organ. This is the great MEL TORMÉ. He was a singer, composer and drum player. He was known as one of the greatest singers in Jazz history. He was a radio, television and cinema actor, besides he wrote five books. You can really appreciate this great singer going to Mel Torme - When The Sun Comes Out , The Carioca
@margotdarby He did have a personal policy to not drink or smoke, to keep the voice fit. Judy, sadly, went downhill physically very quickly, but it is kind of understandable; she had a difficult childhood and marriage was never really kind to her. She did still sound pretty good later on, I'll say. So did Mel.
@pandorabangles velvet fog was not too picky when he recorded with manilow on the latter's paradise cafe album. i blog on huffington while you post comments on youtube. so what does that make you?
@margotdarby He never lost his beautiful voice, unlike Frank Sinatra, whose voice deteriorated as he grew older. Although Mel became corpulent, this has nothing to do with his singing brilliance....beautiful timbre, perfect pitch, and elegant style. He was also a very talented composer and musician.
it's actually not forgotten at all! Michael Buble did a wonderful cover of this song a few years back...don't worry. Some people out there still appreciate real talent and good music.
@cbs2.....Frank's best available jazz singing is on the Live from Australia '59 album. He does swing with Red Norvo. Frank's greatness is not in the fact that he had the greatest technique--he did not at all. His greatness is in his sincerity in putting across a song. Mel's dazzling technique drowns out the personality and the sincerity to some extent. While I love Mel, I prefer singers like Frank, and Billie and Satchmo, to consummate technicians like Mel and Ella.
How could you not have heard of Mel Torme'???????????? He wrote "The Christmas Song"? Who hasn't heard of that. People nowadays don't know what good music is. They think Niki Minaj is good music! Ha! The joke is on them!!!!!
@pandorabangles Why the hell should these two be compared? I have no idea who "Harry on Night Court" is but DUHHH. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Barry Manilow's vocals or his performance but just no comparison between the genres of music. How can you compare a superb jazz great with a pop singer??? Duhhh again.
I agree with you. Mel had a better voice (a better sound) than Sinatra. He was also a better musician. I always thought Sinatra was sooo overrated!! So many better male singers who blow him out of the water....Vale, Bennett, Mathis, Cole, and especially his nemesis Jimmy Roselli!
![[TH] 2024 PMSL SEA GF D1 | Summer | แข่งที่ไทย ต้องใส่ให้สุด](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Jkuf7nCS7jI/mqdefault.jpg)
This is the best foggy day l ever heard fabulous ❤
I'm starting to rank him higher and higher every time I hear him!
Same for me !
this is the true musicians singer the greatest what a wonderful style he had thanks for posting this many memories.
amazing pitch and voice
Mel Torme is my all time favorite singer.
Mel, I just love you!
Mel was a gem
A-w-e-s-o-m-e song!!!
With love from Ukraine!)
What atmosphere! An all round excellent performance - Even down to the raincoat draped across the shoulders: so debonair. Mel Torme is one of the most polished singers and simply oozes class. I love this clip.
his phrasing is amazing
This guy was an awesome talent, I wished I had met him
@ChavaAyanna I'm here because of Night Court, too. Can't remember hearing of Mel Torme before, I must have, but I'm glad I TH-camd him.
Thanks, Judge Harry.
When I was a kid I used to think he was so corny. How wrong I was! With age he has become one of my favorite singers! Truly... THE VELVET FOG!!!!!!!
WoW.. mel torme just passed me by.. hes got a great voice.
im a new fan. :)
Still
...the greatest velvet fog phenomena❤❤
The Velvet Fog at his best!!
Where the hell have you been?
Not remembering Mel having a great voice----WOW.
Lovely version.
another velvet moment in time. Father bless us and give us peace in these days.
rod
what genius....the best are never forgotten.
@mikil54321 Mel was special. An immaculate voice, charm by the ship-load, and a style you don't see these days. I'm also from Canada.
I love him so much
I found it. It's called Mountain Greenery, it's by Rogers and Hart; it's been recorded by dozens of singers and musicians, including Mel Torme in 1955 when I was 16. Mustangred will be pleased to know that his little insult was actually my first ever answer to a query on my first ever computer. Memorable.
One of the all-time greats. I do prefer the up-tempo version he did. Still, the vocal/dynamic control- none were ever better.
yes, i agree with you. I love both of their voices, they were both fantastic singers. so was Count Basie!
The guy was great!...and like he said..."it wasn't all velvet"...miss him.
OMG, and all this time I thought he was called the Velvet Frog!
Thanks anyway....he is pretty young here so it had to be a long time ago. What a fantastic voice he had..
Mel's the Best!
Four o'clock this first of May I woke and remembered a song I liked as a teenager, Mel Torme singing 'On the first of May, it is moving day....in our mountain greenery where God paints the scenery......bless our mountain greenery home.' Can't see it here. Does anyone know, please, what it was called?
beautiful
The Nat King Cole show aired during the mid-50's and was finally cancelled due to lack of sponsorship be cause of Nat's race. So, I would place this video about 1955-1957. I dig Mel, too!
pure class.
my gosh.
Love it, and i'm only 18.
probably the most unique vocal stylist of his time - and boy, did he understand the foundations of a song! a real intellect...
Message for Edwin..I am a faithful fan of Barry Manilow (he's the tops) but also Mel was really a great singer, as you say, at least in the 50s. I even met him and got an autograph on one of his LPs at a BBC show in London!!
Grande, Bravo, Mel.
I think the same.
Even thought I like Frank Sinatra that I Know a long time ago.
MEL TORMÉ, as for me was better.
He was known as one of the greatest singers in Jazz history
and Im sorry I didnt know him till a few years ago here on TH-cam.
I thank to Sukapura by uploading it.
beutifull
watching old episodes of, Sliders, and Mel was guest star on it! I also remember when the charc. judge on the show, Night Court, loved Mel!
Plus, he was singing Country on, Sliders! He sounded good.
I love the fake-out at 2:12-14 where he acts like he's going to end the song for a split second, then, as if on a 'spur of the moment' whim, he decides he's going to give you a little more for good measure. Go Mel.
@mikil54321 I don't think it will be forgotten, as long as there is people like us ! Pass it on!
Perfecto.
I remember foggy days in London when you could not see your hand in front of your face. But the British Museum was the very place to go on such a day. Torme tries to do too much in this song - he greaks up the flow. But what a voice!
... a velvet foggy day.
Fred Astaire was certainly an underrated singer (Cole Porter wrote frequently with Astaire in mind) but he's no Mel Tormé. Tormé was quite simply one of the most gifted vocalists this planet has ever seen -- flawless technique with incomparable smoothness that the rest of us, including Michael Bublé, can only hope to aspire to. This is a great slow tempo version allowing Mel to showcase some of that trademarked smoothness. The king of cool!
You're talking about the greatest singer of all time...check out his North Sea live concert series 1981....mind boggling musicality..he was a Russian immigrant to the USA......a virtuoso drummer....
@cdivo, you are so right! Frank was awesome, but nohing could beat the smooth sound of Torme!
I remember foggy days in London when you could not see your hand in front of your face. But the British Museum was the very place to go on such a day. Torme tries to do too much in this song - he breaks up the flow. But what a voice!
unique!
@pandorabangles BAAAHAAAAA! that was the best comment I have ever read. Well done,
Mel has the voice.
bLUBBER, BLUBBER, OOHH THAT'S GORGEOUS
I was JUST talking about this with my wife last night. It's SO true. Mel Torme was MUCH more talented than Sinatra.
Absolutely right! Cheers to all youtubians!
Warm greetings from Mexico City!
"its not what you know but who you know"
damn.
LYRICS
A Foggy Day (in London Town)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
As sung by Mel Torme
[Transcribed in Vim by ShakespeareCafe]
A foggy day in London town
had me low
it had me down
I viewed the morning with alarm
the British Museum lost its charm
how long I wonder
could this thing last
but the age of miracles hadn't past
for suddenly you were there
and through foggy London town the sun was shining everywhere
for, suddenly you stood there
and through foggy London town the sun was shining everywhere
@pandorabangles I remember how much this was debated between Christine Sullivan & Harry Stone on Night Court LOL. I never knew Mel Torme existed until Night Court
@pandorabangles Genius.
i've often heard that saying a lot but always wondered what "for good measure" meant?...fer serious tho...i'm new to Mel's music and i LOVE it! In fact, if it wasn't for the judge on Night Court 80's tv show, i would of never heard of him...but i also like Michael Buble's verion of this song...did mel write this song?
@MattieSongbird
Right. And Frank's a storyteller. Frank tells a story and makes you feel like he sympathizes with you. That's a whole different thing than music. One thing though--Frank had better arrangers and bands than anyone. So the music in the background of his singing: (Wee Small Hours, Close to You, Swingin' Lovers, Where are You, Come Fly With Me, No one Cares, Only the Lonely....) is spectacular. Arrangements and music are very important to me.
Mel Torme,a.k.a The Velvet Fog.
@cammicty Agreed! Mel was an original!
I have no idea which year it is from. If I did I would have included that information.
From one Canadian to another- Mel Torme lives on through artists like Barry Manilow. I call Mel the Barry Manilow of the 40's and 50's. I was around back then and I remember Mel very well as the radio stations used to play his records quite a bit.
Sorry, he wasnt.
Count Basie was a Bandleader, composer and musician.
He was queen on piano and organ.
This is the great MEL TORMÉ. He was a singer, composer and drum player.
He was known as one of the greatest singers in Jazz history. He was a radio, television and cinema actor, besides he wrote five books.
You can really appreciate this great singer going to Mel Torme - When The Sun Comes Out , The Carioca
@margotdarby He did have a personal policy to not drink or smoke, to keep the voice fit. Judy, sadly, went downhill physically very quickly, but it is kind of understandable; she had a difficult childhood and marriage was never really kind to her. She did still sound pretty good later on, I'll say. So did Mel.
Gee I wish when you post you would put the year it came from .....
@pandorabangles velvet fog was not too picky when he recorded with manilow on the latter's paradise cafe album. i blog on huffington while you post comments on youtube. so what does that make you?
You are very welcome :-)
just to think, this was once played on BET. What happened
I was going to make some snarky comment like "oh BET how far we have fallen" but i see there are many so I shall refrain lol
I think I like him best around this age. :) *sigh*
@margotdarby He never lost his beautiful voice, unlike Frank Sinatra, whose voice deteriorated as he grew older. Although Mel became corpulent, this has nothing to do with his singing brilliance....beautiful timbre, perfect pitch, and elegant style. He was also a very talented composer and musician.
I believe they called him the "Velevet Fog"
@pandorabangles Spot on about Manilow! Cleverly put! Second-rate pop stars like him have nothing even close to the Velvet Fog!
it's actually not forgotten at all! Michael Buble did a wonderful cover of this song a few years back...don't worry. Some people out there still appreciate real talent and good music.
I didn't know Count Basie was a vocalist.
He has some songs where he scatted some. He never did it much. Very rarely do I hear a song with him scatting.
@chris71388 i think you're having a foggy day in london town
This is great!! But I like the arrangement of Billie Holidays version more though...
Oh Mel, why not the verse also?? sigh
LOL
When I was a kid I thought 'XING' was a word. ( As in PED XING )
@elpulpo800 Except for Strangers in the Night, but that was just schtick.
i wonder why they call zap brannigan "the velour fog"
and we wonder why he's called "The Velvet Fog"
@cbs2.....Frank's best available jazz singing is on the Live from Australia '59 album. He does swing with Red Norvo. Frank's greatness is not in the fact that he had the greatest technique--he did not at all. His greatness is in his sincerity in putting across a song. Mel's dazzling technique drowns out the personality and the sincerity to some extent. While I love Mel, I prefer singers like Frank, and Billie and Satchmo, to consummate technicians like Mel and Ella.
Swank
shouldn't that be A smoggy day in london town? lol
How could you not have heard of Mel Torme'???????????? He wrote "The Christmas Song"? Who hasn't heard of that. People nowadays don't know what good music is. They think Niki Minaj is good music! Ha! The joke is on them!!!!!
mikil54321 just a tad bit much
Frank never scatted. That wasn't his schtick at all.
I'd like for Mel to have had mob influence. sinatra wasn't shlt
@pandorabangles Why the hell should these two be compared? I have no idea who "Harry on Night Court" is but DUHHH. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Barry Manilow's vocals or his performance but just no comparison between the genres of music. How can you compare a superb jazz great with a pop singer??? Duhhh again.
I agree with you. Mel had a better voice (a better sound) than Sinatra. He was also a better musician. I always thought Sinatra was sooo overrated!! So many better male singers who blow him out of the water....Vale, Bennett, Mathis, Cole, and especially his nemesis Jimmy Roselli!
please please please be troll
I dunno...I prefer Torme to Sinatra. So different, though.
no i mean it compare him to michael buble
You'd be better off not knowing..really..
Oh dear Cockles and Mussels. I think someone has Ireland and Britain confused.
although, when it comes to scatting, Mel is better than frank,