The original proponent of the male “vo-cool” style was Mel Torme’ aka “The Velvet Fog.” This 3 cd set Finds him in his underappreciated early years, when he was a member of the vocal group The Mel-Tones, as well as the vocalist for the orchestras of Artie Shaw, Sonny Burke, Hal Mooney and best of all, the hip Page Cavanaugh Trio. These early recordings set the stage for everything Torme’ did in later years, and it’s an impressive lot.
His voice is quite a bit softer in these years, similar to Frank Sinatra’s light tone during his stint with Tommy Dorsey during the same years. With Burke, Torme’ is delicate on material like “Try A Little Tenderness” and”Willow Road,” and teams up well with Bing Crosby on an upbeat “Day By Day.” Artie Shaw may have been the best big band setting for Torme’, as the singer is in an extra rich velvet mood on ”I Believe” and “It’s The Same Old Dream.” Pianist Cavanaugh along with Sinatra guitarist Al Viola form a trio for Torme’ in a hip setting with Torme’ sounding right at home on the upbeat “I Can’t Give You Any;thing But Love, Baby,” “Fine an Dandy” and the wonderfully sentimental “What Are You Doing New Y ear’s Eve.” These settings set the standard for the rest of Torme’s career.
As opposed to his time with Burke and Shaw, where he’s the sideman/vocalist, meaning he comes in at the middle of the song, Torme’ is in charge backed by Hall Mooney’s orchestra, dominating standards like “Night And Day,” a sentimental ”A Foggy Day” and “I Cover The Waterfront” and a gorgeous “Gone With The Wind.” Male vocal wanderlust at its absolute apotheosis.