Mel Torme & George Shearing - A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square - 8/18/1989 (Official)

[@briantomoconnor]

One of the most exquisite pieces of music making I've heard in my entire life. The paired artistry of piano and voice is unmatched. And lest you think it's not more than their considerable technical chops, just look into Mel Torme's eyes.

[@bryanrendleman2001]

The greatest voice in a century.

[@marvinwhisman3333]

Perfection. I was so fortunate to see Mel and George play together in LA many years ago. A night I will never forget.

[@paulinewarjri705]

What a legendary voice and what a legendary pianist. Two giants creating a miracle

[@mattgraham3583]

Probably the purest and most beautiful voice of all time. Truly, the velvet fog.

[@unickumachannel]

His way of saying "Good night" made me cry. Just beautiful.

[@salvadorvillavieja2611]

Mel Torme is a singer's singer. Excellent phrasing, great diction and still does it with a lot of feeling. He's the voice!

[@johncoffin9354]

All the technical skill in the world. And heart as open and full as a boy's.

[@jerrysky4598]

If this doesn't cause you to pause and listen to this legend and Shearing tickling those Ivories I feel sorry for ya.

[@stephenstephen1505]

Wonderful version of this lovely old song

[@jenniferbate9682]

Mel! A true musician indeed. ❤

[@sharonkellner82]

I had the unforgettable privilege of hearing Mel and George in a supper club. It was wonderful!!

[@tbascoebuzz4782]

What a cherished and privileged memory..

[@pamtebelman2321]

I can imagine it was.

[@thanus6636]

I at first misread supper club.

[@goodnews2452]

I had the incredible privilege and blessing to listen in awe to Mel and George at Carnegie Hall. It left me in a stupor, totally enveloped by the Velvet Fog. Never heard such synchonistic perfection expressed by two people...ever. To this day it brings me to tears to remember the beauty shared that night.

[@pamtebelman2321]

@@goodnews2452 What a blessing that must have been. These two had a magical musical relationship for sure. This particular performance was the most exquisite and tender rendition of this song that I've ever heard them do (I cry, too). What a joy and a privilege to be able to listen to this as much as we want. God bless!

[@ronaldstrange8981]

George and Mel together. Am I in Heaven? England, October, 2024.

[@LondonBassPlayer]

Just breathtaking! Mel Torme's control and phrasing is other-worldly, and perfectly matched by George Shearing's control and harmonic dexterity. Timeless artistry from two absolute masters....

[@glendastormes-bice5772]

It is one of my life's regrets that I came to Mel Torme's music long after his death. This is literally the best performance ever. I return to it time and time again for comfort, peace, and joy. And George Shearing....you are a master.

[@jpathak6227]

Listen to his songs. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. I was fortunate enough to see him perform in LV. Multi talented performer.

[@pamtebelman2321]

This is superb! Mel had unmatched control, range and vocal quality, and George's playing is incredibly beautiful here.

[@frankptarney3861]

Hey Glenda! I so agree with you: "This is literally the best performance ever. I return to it time and time again for comfort, peace, and joy." Better to discover a treasure like Mel Torme later in one's like than never at all! I firmly believe Mel is singing in heaven along with the likes of Sarah Vaughan!

[@eastonpeter1242]

Finally. The proper use of the word "literally."

[@fredbloggs6080]

@@eastonpeter1242 Yes, not used for hyperbolic ironic effect. Still, it is unnecessary, and usually pegs the user (not in a positive way) to a certain generation.

[@11hoosier11]

My mother cried every time Mel sang a ballad........'bout time I understood.

[@Beepbopboh]

Catches up to us , don’t it ...?

[@acdebiase]

I was watching night court and I was reminded of Mel. Harry Anderson loved Mel. My mom and I used to listen to all of his stuff. I listen now to remember my Mom (and Mel). We lost a beautiful voice when we lost Mel.

[@jenniferbate9682]

Yes…beautiful. We saw him and George at The Royal Festival Hall, London about 20 years ago. Sublime.

[@floridagal9542]

How can anyone of any age not love a voice like that? No need for auto tune or anything to mask a voice, because this man worked at his art! He was 63 or 64 here and he had to spend many hours still, training his breath, the phrasing and vocal clarity is amazing.

[@pamtebelman2321]

He had unmatched control, range and vocal quality.

[@marvinwhisman3333]

@@pamtebelman2321 his control of his vibrato was unmatched.

[@roybodden9243]

Any song that Mel sang it automatically become his own! His interpretation of this sing with the piano of George Shearing is hard to top!

[@saxafun3442]

Aagghh..quite so😊

[@mordecaikucai9532]

True I watch him doing The goodbye look of Donald Fagen. I love his story tellling song until I search and read the real facts. I can say he is singing a complete novel of life after Castro took over Cuba. When Donald Fagen sing I just enjoy as piece of song. Mel Torme is magic

[@tomdobson7733]

Sublime... Effortless.... It goes beyond being a performance and becomes Art.... And Mel Torme is one of the best at his craft.

[@susanjoycesabo8450]

I had the pleasure of seeing them both live a few times--together and alone. One performance was at the Fairmount Hotel in Chicago in the 80's or early 90's. In '87 I saw Mel by himself at a supper club in DC. He hosted fans in his dressing room briefly. I presented my business card and Mel pronounced my name correctly the first time. He was so gracious and charming. Loved them both; mourn their passing.

[@mikegalvin9801]

Saw him at Mr Kelly's in Chicago (I'm that old) and also at the Fairmount but the San Francisco one. Wonderful performer.

[@jenniferbate9682]

Saw these two in concert back in 90’s at The Festival Hall..(south bank). What an evening!

[@andrewfrancisco8048]

This is probably the most beautiful song ever written. Mel Torm´e is the only person to sing this song. It is sad he is gone. This was a song that my first love and I shared. Thank you Mr. Torm´e.

[@pamtebelman2321]

That's sweet!!

[@bucksix1]

One of my all time favorite songs!!!!! Two of my all time favorite musicians. I just finished watching and listening to this for the umpteenth time and just like every previous time the tears flowed like Niagara Falls. Happy tears!!!!!!!!!!!!! Notice how unlike most others, Mel usually sings the verse as well as the chorus and it always works. Lordy how I miss these two.

[@pamtebelman2321]

Me, too, cry!

[@dr.ulyssesswlabr6642]

Two jazz giants making supreme musical magic together. Does it get any better?

[@ralphfurley123]

Oh my goodness how beautiful this performance is! It is a masterpiece! ☮️🖖🏽

[@NormaKalberer]

Wonderful! Mel does an amazing performance of one of my most favorite songs. Ty

[@PhrygianPhrog]

Stunning, moved me to tears.

[@bixsingsthemusicoflife2047]

Greatest pure jazz singer ever, felt the songs like he wrote them, like he was the song. Wonderful version, and George Shearing may have been blind, but he had the best musical eyes possible. Superb live performance. The creme de la creme.

[@p1anosteve]

A divine combination!

[@pamtebelman2321]

Mel was unmatched!

[@clivem24]

His voice is like a mix of velvet and silk!

[@larschmitt]

He was known as the Velvet Fog.

[@Singnalong]

Speechless with tears in my eyes.

[@charlottecady9417]

This was my dad's favorite song... I miss him so much

[@DevonDandy]

Wonderful control and phrasing

[@pamtebelman2321]

Agreed, plus an incredible range and vocal quality.

[@cornelispeters5612]

Mel and George , a perfect combination.

[@georgesims4372]

He has the voice of an angel!

[@charlesbarry6730]

Great performance. Two departed legends.

[@larrytan8264]

Beautiful composition & beautiful voice !! You don't get that sort of combination these days!!❤

[@porcaro4ever]

Damn such an absolutely pure tone!

[@cruisinjude]

The most beautiful rendition of this wonderful old song. And sung by my favorite performer. Thank you for posting this.

[@matthewbottler]

How amazingly happy is that pianist to be playing that number

[@pianoman7652]

Master of Song... No Other singer dead or alive can compare !!

[@MargaretBrandmanMusic]

A duet made in heaven.

[@iancrossley5768]

Just fabulous

[@DevonDandy]

What excellent diction and vocal dynamics, you can see how he articlates his lips fully - A very individual style from a reallyt excelelent singer.

[@gatesarin1]

Beautiful 😭

[@jorgenraa]

Beautiful song by an amazing singer. What a voice and feeling. Mel reaches all the way to my heart.

[@larryhutchens6363]

It doesn’t get much better than this!

[@deborahkelly1489]

Larry Hutchens No it doesn't. How we became so far from this music I will never understand . I guess it's age . This era of music is classic.

[@pamtebelman2321]

No, it doesn't!

[@roybodden9243]

What a great combination! We love the albums they did together. We saw them separately in the '60's but just wished that we had had the opportunity to see them together in person.

[@DavidBurya-wi5co]

Classic performance to be enjoyed all my life

[@melindaaimeeroth5580]

And he can sing. Thank you.

[@patrickkelly7301]

Beautiful

[@Paris.Kalachnikov]

Sublime by any definition

[@lffit]

absolute perfection!

[@franosbornblaschke3694]

Holy smokes! That's amazing!

[@clarencemendonca579]

Awesome, sublime, what have you. Pure Magic.

[@scuunjieng]

my favourite version, many thanks for this wonderful post.

[@jonezzjazz]

Mel was known as the "Velvet Fog" 😎 His pianist, George, was blind, and happy 😁

[@adelantadodeyucatan3484]

Perfection ! ! !

[@scuunjieng]

thank you for this deeply appreciated post. Had the good fortune to watch them sing this twice in the mid 1980s. Memory has never left me and i constantly listen to their recordings 30 plus years on.

[@themistoumpoulidis1400]

Such effortless artistry. Sorry I never got to see him live but his recordings are constantly near my CD player if not playing. Breath control beyond most singers capabilities but I strive to be a fraction as good as him.

[@pamtebelman2321]

Agreed. Mel had unmatched control, range and vocal quality of any male singer of his time and of any time.

[@sharoncarthy3764]

The Velvet Fog. What a voice!!

[@ぴーちゅん子]

素晴らしい‼️‼️ 癒される美しい声✨ エラとのスキャットは絶品で感動しました。 生きておられる時代に生まれたかったです🥺

[@Thanks-Tokyo]

beautiful

[@bashfulbrother]

Mel is historical evidence of how far the US has abandoned spirituality. Aspiring to human greatness was once considered a noble effort and something that few achieved. Today, all you have to do is look good in make-up and show your crotch and you are a star. To see and hear such perfection of a voice and instruments will never be experienced again. Thank you Jazz on MTV for posting and thank you Mel for the legacy you left.

[@mcrohof]

I beg to differ in that there are small rays of hope -- wrt the emergence of acoustic folk groups and artists like Chris Thile, Punch Brothers, Lake Street Dive... Im just a guy from Holland but was impressed no end by the pursuit of excellence in their music making, and the sincerity and joy...

[@dalian1993]

I agree, sadly. Beyonce 'look at me, I can't sing, but I have a vagina!' Mel Torme didn't have to rely on image, his voice was peerless.

[@virginialawler7725]

@@mcrohof Thank You! I will try soon hear all three new-to-me groups.

[@virginialawler7725]

@Ken Evanska 2020 now. Many of us hope for important changes in Nov.

[@rieske2000]

mcrohof well I checked them out. Maybe sincere but I did not like it a bit.

[@laurakolb]

The essence of elegance ............

[@highphlyer]

You nailed it! Elegance!

[@ericwilson3656]

I lived in Battersea, South London around the corner where GS once lived. To their great credit, the local municipal council affixed a memorial plaque to the house for all to see. That was the 50's . When I returned to pay homage 40 years later, the plaque was gone ! No further comment your honour!

[@majorbarbara1]

Sorry to hear that! Despite there being no plaque, these two have and will definitely stand the test of time. I was just in London and I loved coming back to the states and hearing him sing this song on UTUBE. It brought tears to my eyes.

[@toysoldier7481]

Mel was a legend

[@peterfeltham5612]

Two masters of their art, just tremendous.Mel Torme and Sarah Vaughan, nothing like them now, sadly.

[@Carrriles]

fabulous

[@mtcpianist]

High art! Wow!

[@DrummerJacob]

One of the most beautiful renditions of this song. My favorite part is when Shearing sings like a bird on the upper register of the piano.

[@exjazzer]

The master.

[@carmenchao3651]

Enchanting! Many thanks for posting.

[@davewray9909]

Astounding...

[@pamtebelman2321]

Gorgeous song!

[@jewellkeicher1871]

There will never be another Velvet Fog

[@CL-ek9yv]

Breath taking

[@brendavisceglia3977]

pure magic

[@pamtebelman2321]

Enduring gorgeousness!

[@alessandrocatena9354]

Splendido...

[@sylvial8411]

Sublime

[@posnerist]

simply fabbo

[@mrlabuj22]

Oh my!!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👏👏👏

[@1FrankFan]

Sinatra had a great version of this song, as did The Manhattan Transfer (a capella), but Mel owns this song.

[@rosariogia512]

I agree !

[@markh9875]

Well he does it brilliantly. If anyone "owns" it - an odd idea for music - then I would sign it over to Vera Lynn. She did it very well and did so when it really mattered.

[@lynnmiller3937]

You're an idiot! Sinatra YES! Manhattan Transfer NO! Mel Torme shows off and that's it! Why do I have to always school you idiots!

[@virginialawler7725]

@@markh9875 I agree totally re Vera Lynn, and I've now heard four other versions. Some especially lovely in their own way. Several to go. I'm quite new with You Tube...and beyond delighted with the range of music it offers. 7/18/20

[@johnlavery6116]

I have to say,Tony Bennett is my favourite.

[@sharoncarthy3764]

The only other version I've heard is by the Manhattan Transfer, and I love it. But THIS! THIS is the definitive version to me.

[@edwincancelii2917]

Awesome baritone.

[@danielglynn36]

legend.

[@paulpaulc4523]

A perfect gentleman

[@MrJpartridge]

I saw George Shearing in concert ( a long time ago) and he sang Nightingale - it was incredibly moving more than Mel Torme's vesion

[@kaamkmca]

👏👏👏

[@gallai1]

When Mel started singing, i immediatley had think about people like Justin Bieber, Kanye West, and so on, who's best friend is called autotune.....not to mention the noise they call music. Listen to this gentlemen, singing perfectly at his age. Awesome.

[@caroltaylor3414]

I just had some salted caramel bourbon fudge... yeah... that was perfect with Mel's voice!

[@markh9875]

I think just about anything would taste just fine with this.

[@emilerose1424]

Just left listening to Nat "King" Cole singing this beauteous ballad, and wanted to continue the magic with Mel "The Velvet Fog" Torme. Next, I'm heading to Rosemary Clooney.

[@erichodge567]

George and Mel are great on this song, absolute masters. But do any of you know the version by Eric Maschwitz and Manning Sherwin? Probably not, because all they did was write the original words and music, respectively, to this highly unusual masterpiece. (Reflect, for example, on the fact that there are very few rhymes in the lyric.) It's always the song, my friends. Point two: Maschwitz, the lyricist, had one other big hit, "These Foolish Things", and Sherwin, to my knowledge, never had another. Nevertheless, these two sat down one day in 1939 and gave us a song that will be beautiful forever. Perhaps all of us have some rare, wonderful thing inside, waiting to be born. Maybe so; maybe so indeed.

[@hughgraham6587]

LYRICS - SING ALONG DEAR FRIENDS: That certain night, the night we met There was magic abroad in the air There were angels dining at the Ritz And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square I may be right, I may be wrong But I'm perfectly willing to swear That when you turned and smiled at me A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square The moon that lingered over London town Poor puzzled moon, he wore a frown How could he know that we two were so in love? The whole darn world seemed upside down The streets of town were paved with stars It was such a romantic affair And as we kissed and said goodnight A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square When dawn came stealing up, all gold and blue To interrupt our rendez-vous I still remember how you smiled and said "Was that a dream or was it true?" Our homeward step was just as light As the dancing of Fred Astaire And like an echo far away A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

[@boundlessochiroo]

❤️

[@eastonpeter1242]

How does he breath like that!

[@frankptarney1141]

The Velvet Fog - one of the finest crooners!

[@rondunn4336]

I'm pleased we caught Mel between meals, smile?