In 1943, Torme made his movie debut in Frank Sinatra's first film, the musical "Higher and Higher." He went on to sing and act in a number of films and television episodes throughout his career, even hosting his own television show in 1951-52. His appearance in the 1947 film musical "Good News" made him a teen idol for a few years. In the last years of his career he toured and sang with the wonderful George Shearing Quartet, often sitting in at drums, for a number or two in a set. To hear two such accomplished jazz artists was an evening not to be forgotten.
In that year he also formed the vocal quintet "Mel Torme and His Mel-Tones," modeled after Frank Sinatra and the Pied Pipers. The Mel-Tones, which included Les Baxter and Ginny O'Connor, had several hits fronting Artie Shaw's band and on their own, including Cole Porter's "What is This Thing Called Love?" The Mel-Tones were among the first jazz-influenced vocal groups, blazing a path later followed by The Hi-Los, The Four Freshmen, and The Manhattan Transfer.
In 1947, Torme went solo. His singing at New York's Copacabana led a local DJ, Fred Robbins, to give him the nickname "The Velvet Fog", thinking to honor his high tenor and smooth vocal style, but Torme detested the nickname. As a solo singer, he recorded a number of romantic hits for Decca (1945), and with the Artie Shaw Orchestra on the Musicraft label (1946-48). In 1949, he moved to Capitol Records, where his first record, "Careless Hands," became his only number one hit. His versions of "Again" and "Blue Moon" became signature tunes. His composition "California Suite," prompted by the Gordon Jenkins's "Manhattan Tower," became Capitol's first 12 inch LP. Around this time, he helped pioneer cool jazz.
From 1955 to 1957, Torme recorded 7 jazz vocal albums with Red Clyde's Bethlehem Records, all with groups led by Marty Paich, most notably "Mel Torme with the Marty Paich Dektette." These recordings proved a creative peak for Torme and for Paich, a leading figure in the West coast jazz of the time.
When rock & roll music (which Torme called "three chord manure") came on the scene in the 1950s, commercial success became elusive. During the next two decades, Torme often recorded mediocre arrangements of the pop tunes of the day, never staying long with any particular label. He was sometimes forced to make his living by singing in obscure clubs. He had two minor hits, his 1956 recording of "Mountain Greenery," and his 1962 R&B song "Comin' Home, Baby," arranged by Claus Ogerman. The latter recording led the jazz and gospel singer Ethel Waters to say that "Torme is the only white man who sings with the soul of a black man." It was later covered instrumentally by Quincy Jones and Kai Winding.
In 1963–64, Torme wrote songs and musical arrangements for the The Judy Garland Show, and made two guest appearances on the show itself. A few years later, after Garland's death, his time with her show became the subject of his first book, "The Other Side of the Rainbow." Although the book was praised, it led to an unsuccessful lawsuit by Garland's family.
Torme continued to play jazz drums as an adult, and befriended drummer Buddy Rich, who became the subject of his book "Traps-The Drum Wonder-The Life of Buddy Rich." Torme also owned and played a drumset that renowned drummer Gene Krupa had used for many years.
Although a jazz and popular musician, Torme also respected classical music, especially that of Frederick Delius and Percy Grainger.
The resurgence of vocal jazz in the 1970s resulted in another artistically fertile period for Torme, whose live performances during the 1960s and 70s fueled a growing reputation as a jazz singer. He found himself performing as often as 200 times a year around the globe. In 1976, he won an Edison Award (the Dutch equivalent of the Grammy) for best male singer, and a Downbeat award for best male jazz singer. For a number of years around this time, his September appearances at Michael's Pub, on the Upper East Side would unofficially open New York's fall cabaret season.
Tormé viewed his 1977 Carnegie Hall concert with George Shearing and Gerry Mulligan as a turning point. Shearing later said:
"It is impossible to imagine a more compatible musical partner… I humbly put forth that Mel and I had the best musical marriage in many a year. We literally breathed together during our countless performances. As Mel put it, we were two bodies of one musical mind."
Starting in 1982, Torme recorded a number of albums with Concord Records, including:
* Five albums with pianist George Shearing;
* His big band work with Rob McConnell and his Boss Brass orchestra (see Mel Torme, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass);
* A reunion with Marty Paich, resulting in a live recording in Tokyo (In Concert Tokyo) and a studio album (Reunion).
In the 1980s, he often performed with pianist John Colianni. In the last years of his career he toured and sang with the wonderful George Shearing Quartet, often sitting in at drums, for a number or two in a set. To hear two such accomplished jazz artists was an evening not to be forgotten.
Torme made 9 guest appearances as himself on the 1980s sitcom Night Court whose main character, Judge Harry Stone (played by Harry Anderson), was depicted as an unabashed Tormé fan. In the mid-90s, Torme gained a following among Generation Xers by appearing in a series of Mountain Dew commercials and on an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld, in which he dedicates a song to the character Kramer (played by Michael Richards). Torme also recorded a version of Nat King Cole's "Straighten up and Fly Right" with his son, alternative/adult contemporary/jazz singer Steve March Torme.
In February 1999, Tormé was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. On August 8, 1996, a stroke abruptly ended his 65-year singing career; another stroke in 1999 ended his life. In his eulogistic essay, John Andrews wrote about Tormé: "Tormé's style shared much with that of his idol, Ella Fitzgerald. Both were firmly rooted in the foundation of the swing era, but both seemed able to incorporate bebop innovations to keep their performances sounding fresh and contemporary. Like Sinatra, they sang with perfect diction and brought out the emotional content of the lyrics through subtle alterations of phrasing and harmony. Ballads were characterized by paraphrasing of the original melody which always seemed tasteful, appropriate and respectful to the vision of the songwriter. Unlike Sinatra, both Fitzgerald and Tormé were likely to cut loose during a swinging up-tempo number with several scat choruses, using their voices without words to improvise a solo like a brass or reed instrument."
Tormé wrote more than 250 songs, a number of which became jazz standards. He also often wrote the arrangements for the songs he sang. He often collaborated with Bob Wells, and the best known Tormé-Wells song is "The Christmas Song", often referred to by its opening line "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire." First recorded by Nat King Cole in 1946, it has been a holiday favorite ever since. Tormé said that he wrote the music to the song in only 40 minutes, and that it was not one of his personal favorites.
Love Is the Sweetest Thing
Mel Tormé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What else on earth could ever bring
Such happiness to ev'rything
As Love's old story.
Love is the strangest thing
No song of birds upon the wing
Shall in our hearts more sweetly sing
Than Love's old story.
Whatever fate may send
This is the tale that never will tire.
This is the song without end.
Love is the greatest thing
The oldest yet, the latest thing
I only hope that fate may bring
Love's story to you.
The song "Love Is the Sweetest Thing" by Mel Tormé is a romantic ballad that speaks about the power of love in bringing happiness to everything. It portrays love as a mysterious and magical thing that makes us feel alive and uplifted. The lyrics suggest that the melody of love is sweeter than even the song of birds on the wing, that it is capable of fulfilling any desires of the heart, and that it is the greatest thing in the world, timeless and never-ending.
The first verse of the song affirms that love is the sweetest thing, and that there is nothing else in the world that can bring such universal happiness as love's old story. This refers to the age-old tale of love that has been told and retold in different ways across cultures throughout human history. It is a story that speaks of the power of love to transform our lives and bring us closer to each other.
The second verse reiterates that love is also the strangest thing – mysterious and elusive, yet captivating and irresistible. The verse suggests that the melody of love is more enchanting than the song of birds on the wing, symbolizing the irresistible power of love to lift our spirits and make us feel alive. The lyrics also suggest that love is the greatest thing, the oldest yet the latest, and that the singer hopes to find love's story himself or herself, one day.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is the sweetest thing
Love brings the most happiness to our lives among all that exists.
What else on earth could ever bring
Nothing else can compare to what love can bring into our lives.
Such happiness to ev'rything
Love can bring joy and happiness to everything around us.
As Love's old story.
Love's tale has been told for centuries.
Love is the strangest thing
Love is peculiar and difficult to comprehend.
No song of birds upon the wing
No bird's sweetest song can compare to the sweetness of love.
Shall in our hearts more sweetly sing
Our hearts shall sing the sweetest melody in the name of love.
Than Love's old story.
Love's ancient story is what our hearts will sing about.
Whatever heart may desire
No matter what we crave for, love can fulfill it with its power.
Whatever fate may send
Regardless of the destiny that might be written for us, love can find its way through it.
This is the tale that never will tire.
Love's story is so fascinating that it will never get mundane.
This is the song without end.
Love's ballad is infinite and never-ending.
Love is the greatest thing
Out of everything in the world, love is the supreme.
The oldest yet, the latest thing
Love has been around since ancient times but still feels new and relevant today.
I only hope that fate may bring
I wish for fate to bring love into your life.
Love's story to you.
I hope you get to experience the tale of love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: RAY NOBLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Janette Walker
Beautifully performed, thanks for all your fine posts throughout the year. Merry Christmas and New Year.
wordsmith52
+Janette Walker Thanks for all your support ! Happy New Year and all good wishes for the new year ahead!
IVORIESMAN
...a beautiful song, beautifully sung.
Steve - They had his son on the telly the other night telling the story of how 'Chestnuts' was composed.
IVORIESMAN
@wordsmith52 ...:-)...:-)...:-)
wordsmith52
+IVORIESMAN Thanks Jo - I missed that prog. as I was out of the country on urgent business, but hopefully (inevitably?!) it will be repeated... (That "Chestnuts" song always remimds me of the "Spanish Inquisition" and I find it hared not to smile about it for the wrong reasons!! lol!)
OldiesAl
Originally recorded by Al Bowlly with Ray Noble's orchestra in 1933, superbly covered here by the great Mel Torme.
wordsmith52
+ferrarial Yes , the Ray Noble version is one of my favorites - happy New Year to you Al.
Music Selection
A Smootchy smoothie indeed Steve , and perfect video collection :) ms
wordsmith52
Time for a smoothy...
IVORIESMAN
Steve - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours...