Best known as “The Velvet Fog”, Mel Torme’s early work is filled with hidden gems. He spent these years on Bethlehem Records, with 1955’s Blue World filled with glorious arrangements by Marty Paich, Andre P revin and Russ Garcia as Torme’ delivers a rich “How Long Has This Been Going On” and “I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good”. He then takes on the Fred Astaire songbook and goes tour de force with Paich’s charts on “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It”. In 1957, Torme’ sings of various parts of California with a cheery “San Fernando Valley” and “We Think the West Coast Is The Best” . Changing labels, Torme’ teams with his vocal group The Meltones and Angelenos Art Pepper/as and Jack Sheldon/tp for some hip takes of “What Is This Thing Called Love” and “Baubles Bangles and Beads”. Early Fog.
One of the most revered country artists, Ray Price is found here in his impressive early years. His 1957 debut has him singing and playing guitar on material ranging from Bob Wills’ “Faded Love” to Hank Williams’ “I Can’t Help It”. His followup was filled with “tear in the beer” tunes like “I’ll Keep Loving You”, “Deep Water” and “I’m Tired” with a heavy dose of Texas warmth on “I Gotta Have My Baby Back”. Price does a tribute to Bob Wills in 1962 with a fun take of “Roly P oly” and “San Antonio Rose”, with a Greatest Hits album including a definitive “City Lights” and “Crazy Arms”. Timeless Texas.