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Reviews: Mel Torme: The London Sessions

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Reviews: 2

Review by JW April 13, 2003 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
What a great disc! Sound, performance, hell even the liner notes are great. If you like Mel Tormé you may have this on vinyl as it was released in 1977 on the Gryphon label as "Tormé, A New Album". The booklet provides some interesting background detail for us audiophiles.

The flipside of that comment being that the infomation is probably completely pointless for anyone 'on the outside'. Let me show you what I mean; This SACD was mastered by Steve Hoffman (uh-huh); WAVAC amps were used (sooo, that means exactly what?); as were Symposium vibration control devices (geez, these guys must have been in bad shape!); and speakers from Meadowlark (Speakers??? MT is a singer. Hope I got the right disc). And they also used Kevin Gray's AcousTech mastering facilities in CA (now why on earth would this be important?) :-)

The sound is rich, full, big. What I like about Mel Tormé, amongst other things, is that he tends to use fairly contemporary composers in his repertoire, outside the realm of Jazz. Once I saw him live in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam - I subscribed to a series of midnight jazz concerts (starting at 12pm). This must have been 15 years ago but I clearly remember him singing Donald Fagen stuff. On this disc he performs Billy Joel (the excellent song 'New York State Of Mind'), Stevie Wonder, Charles Aznavour and Janis Ian tunes. His rearranged 'Send In The Clowns' is very good I think, giving a big band swing to this famous ballad whilst at the same time keeping the feeling alive that has always permeated this song.

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Review by analogue February 27, 2009 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
Very nice sacd from the 70's. My only complaint is that the running time is a little short. The sound however is very good. Torme's selection of songs is also outstanding. And last but not least the backing orchestra is in fine form with lots of swaying stringwork and great horn section.
Torme's voice, a thing of beauty, is also presented in a great way.

The recording and transfer while being very good falls short of the very best sacd's. Concord Records Mel Torme sacd recorded years later sounds better. Not necessarily more enjoyable but soundwise better. But this is due to the master tapes and or the recording venue and not to Steve Hoffmans mastering.

This sacd is very relaxing, has very good sound and is a pleasure to listen to. If you like Mel Torme you will be very happy with this sacd. It's the quality of the music and the feel for all the songs that make me love this sacd. It's a little bitter sweet, romantic and jazzy.

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