Mel Torme: A Chronicle of His Recordings, Books and Films

by George Hulme

Overview

Known for a voice as mellow as his moniker, "The Velvet Fog," Mel Torme was an accomplished vocalist, pianist, drummer, songwriter, arranger and author. Leaving a recording legacy of jazz and popular music, his death in June 1999 ended an entertainment career spanning over sixty years.

This comprehensive discography is intended not only for the Torme enthusiast, but the casual fan as well, who may only know Torme for his Night Court television appearances or as vocalist and co-writer of "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," which was first recorded by Nat "King" Cole. Included are a selective chronology providing the highlights of Torme's career as an entertainer; notes on record issues, recording dates, session numbers, takes, musicians and arrangers; lists of all musical releases by label and category; "hits" and awards; and indexes of song titles and musicians. Films, short subjects, stage appearances, and television work (recorded on video) in which he acted, performed musically, or served as a contributor are noted, as are books that Torme wrote, or to which he contributed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786437436
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	05/23/2008
Pages:	197
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

The late George Hulme contributed to such publications as Jazz Journal, Just Jazz, and Red Bank Special. He lived in Old Basing, Hants, England.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface     

PART 1: INTRODUCTION
Melvin Howard Tormé: The Man     
An Appraisal     
A Selective Chronology     
Notes     

PART 2: RECORDING SESSIONS
1942–1946 Jewel and Decca     
1946–1947 Musicraft     
1948–1952 Capitol     
1953–1954 Coral     
1955–1957 Bethlehem, Decca, Philips and Tops     
1958–1961 Verve     
1962–1967 Atlantic and Columbia     
1968–1982 Liberty, Capitol, London, Atlantic, Century, Gryphon,
Finesse and Flair     
1982-1996 Concord Jazz and Telarc     

PART 3: RECORD ISSUES
Singles 78 and 45 rpm     
EPs and MPs     
LPs (albums)     
Tapes     
CDs     

PART 4: FILMS AND VIDEOS
Drama and Documentary     
Musical Stage Performances     
Television Shows     
Songs in Films     
The Judy Garland Show     
The Mel-Tones Soundies     

PART 5: BOOKS
Tormé as Author     
Tormé as Contributor     
Tormé as Subject     

PART 6: MISCELLANY
The Hit Parade     
Desert Island Discs     
Nominations and Awards     

Appendix 1: Alternative Takes     
Appendix 2: A Discographical Problem     
Indexes:
Songs Recorded by Mel Tormé     
Musicians     

Editorial Reviews

useful and important”—Public Library Quarterly; “highly recommended”—IAJRC Journal; “exhaustive”—Record Collector; “thoroughly recommended”—In Tune International; “an absolute must for all Tormé aficionados”—Perfectly Frank; “essential reading for every fan of the great Mel Tormé”—Big Bands International; “comprehensive”—Crescendo & Jazz Music; “impressive...an enormous amount of research”—Names & Numbers; “this chronology concisely sums up his career”—ARBA; “the definitive work on its subject”—Classic Images.

From the Publisher

exhaustive

Record Collector

highly recommended

IAJRC Journal

useful and important

Public Library Quarterly

English jazz specialist Hulme offers both enthusiasts and casual fans a selective chronology of US vocalist, pianist, drummer, songwriter, arranger, and author Torm<'e> (1925-99). He documents the highlights of his career with notes on record issues, recording dates, session numbers, takes, musicians, and arrangers; all musical releases by label and category; hits and awards; stage, film, and television appearances; and books he wrote or contributed to. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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