Torch Songs [Import, Compilation]

Easy listening, yeah right. This is a classic compendium of the great pop/jazz singers of the fifties, singing the glories of twentieth century American popular songs.
You get your money back with the first three selections. A black soul version of "The Man I Love" by Etta James, "I Fall In Love Too Easily", by Sarah Vaughan, and "Body And Soul", by Diana Krall. Miss Krall is surely not from the fifties, but this rendition, with just herself on piano, is a major performance on a song that can rank with "Stardust", as the two greatest songs ever written.
There are twenty five more selections by artists like Keely Smith, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Dakota Staton, Dianne Reeves, doings songs like "The Very Thought Of You", "Lover Man",Misty, "Fly Me To the Moon, and more.
This world was destroyed by songs like "I Wanna Hold Your Hand", and "Satisfaction", but there is a generation like Diana Krall, Norah Jones, and Dianne Reeves, who are looking back, way back, to the glories of twentieth century American popular music. Please join this master class in the music I grew up with. You will not be disappointed.

Torch Songs is an excellent two CD set of excellent torch songs sung by some of the greatest female vocalists of the twentieth century. The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done. This is a fine two CD set indeed!

Etta James starts things off with a jazzy rendition of "The Man I Love." Etta never sounded better and she manages to play a bit with the tempo so that she can out her own stamp on this classic ballad! The piano arrangement is very elegant, too. Peggy Lee scores a hit with her "I Wanna Be Around;" I first heard this sung by Tony Bennett but when Peggy sings it this ballad sounds fresh and new all over again! Great!

"Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" gets the royal treatment from the great Ella Fitzgerald, The First Lady Of Song. Ella's voice is rich, warm and very vibrant--how wonderful! The strings are used to great advantage. Listen also for Rosemary Clooney singing "Good Morning Heartache;" "Good Morning Heartache" is a classic and Rosemary does great justice to this fantastic torch song. In addition, there's also "These Foolish Things" performed by the wonderful Dinah Washington; Dinah's excellent diction bolsters her performance.

Julie London sings "In The Wee Small Hours of The Morning" with panache, heart and soul; it amazes me how well Julie London could sing. What's more, the second CD continues the hits. Julie London returns to perform "Blues In The Night" with a jazzy big band arrangement that complements her vocals perfectly! "Our Love Is Here To Stay" also never sounded better than when Dinah Shore sang it; Dinah's voice is as clear as a bell and there's no doubt as to why she was so famous. Ella Fitzgerald sings "Love For Sale" with heart and soul; she truly throws herself into this ballad to make it a very special highlight of this two CD set.

Dinah Washington also sings "Fly Me To The Moon" with some tempo changes that enhance the natural beauty of this ballad; and the musical arrangement works wonders for "Fly Me To The Moon." Similarly, Kay Starr performs "I've Grown Accustomed To His Face" from My Fair Lady. The piano works well as Kay Starr sings this timeless show tune.

The two CD set ends beautifully with Nancy Wilson singing "As Time Goes By" very sweetly. The melody is very pretty and I truly enjoy this number. How elegant!

The two CD set is perfect for people who appreciate some of the best female vocalists ever singing their hearts and souls out on timeless torch songs. I highly recommend this two CD set for these people.

This is a great easy listening album, and an interesting jazz album. Nearly all of the big name vocalists of the last 40 years are represented with a tune or two. Also a wonderful list of songs. One problem I have is lack of liner information. Jazz people that hear this will want to know who the players are (and there are some good ones), when all the albums were made, and what albums from which they were chosen. None the less, for the music this CD is worth a listen.

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