This great double CD centenary tribute celebrates jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, drummer, actor, arranger, author and producer Mel Tormé (1925-1999). Among the most popular and influential jazz singers of the postwar era, he was simply one of the best popular vocalists of all time. Known as “The Velvet Fog”, he had a smooth, mellow voice, husky yet gentle, over which he always exercised consummate control. His choice of repertoire was an object lesson in musical quality. “Mountain Greenery” is Retrospective’s tribute, 51 tracks that sum up the impact Mel Tormé had on the music scene. It includes his greatest commercial successes Careless Hands (a No.1 hit), Again, The Four Winds And The Seven Seas, and the duet with Peggy Lee, The Old Master Painter. The earliest track is his own teenage composition A Stranger In Town from 1944 which, like several other early hits, also featured his Mel-Tones (including the memorable What Is This Thing Called Love? with Artie Shaw).

Artists

Mel Torme (vocals), Al Pellegrini & Trio, Artie Shaw & His Orchestra, The Mel-Tones, Sonny Burke & his Orchestra, Page Cavanaugh & his Quartet, Hal Mooney & His Orchestra, Pete Rugolo & his Orchestra, Frank DeVol & his Orchestra, Dave Barbour & His Orchestra, The Mellomen, George Cates & his Orchestra, Al Pellegrini & his Orchestra, Marty Paich & his Dek-tette, Marty Paich & his Orchestra, Billy May & His Orchestra, Russ Garcia & his Orchestra, Johnny Mandel & his Orchestra, Wally Stott & His Orchestra, Claus Ogerman & his Orchestra