More than two years after recording his first-ever concert LP,
Live at the Crescendo for Coral,
Mel Tormé returned to the Los Angeles nightclub for the Bethlehem release
At the Crescendo, cut February 22, 1957. Backed by a small combo comprised of pianist/arranger
Marty Paich, trumpeter
Don Fagerquist, vibraphonist
Larry Bunker, bassist
Max Bennett, and drummer
Mel Lewis,
Tormé approaches familiar material like "One for My Baby," "It's Only a Paper Moon," and "I'm Beginning to See the Light" with a matchless combination of sensitivity and sass -- as always,
Paich's nimble arrangements inspire
Tormé's most adventurous vocals, and the sheer imagination and soulfulness on display throughout the set laid to rest any lingering question of whether he was a jazz artist or merely an easy listening balladeer. ~ Jason Ankeny