Mel Torme- april showers

[@jakela671]

Mel was a friend of mine. Met him through my uncle. He was much older than I but for some reason, he was most gracious to me and as a result my wife and I would go to see him whenever he was performing in NY. Between sets he would always come as sit with us for a while before going to his dressing room to relax. A doll!

[@Scepisle]

Mel... simply the greatest jazz vocalist ever.. I encourage you all to check out his work in his later years...... Mel I love you !

[@MrPhilipclawson]

Sung by Al Jolson in 1921, Judy Garland in 1956, Bing Crosby in 1956 and Mel Torme in 1964

[@herbie651]

born in "46 and very familiar with this great song as Jolson was still being played on radio in the 40's and 50's. Did not know however that this version was recorded by the great Mel Torme. thanks for posting.

[@arladicey]

"April Showers" is 100 years old this year, in 2021. A major singing (and later movie) star of his time, Al Jolson, made the song famous; over the years, many singers have recorded it, such as the great Mel Torme here, as well as Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland, among others. It's a standard, a classic of the spring season. Happy April to all!

[@BudmanPackfan]

Youth.......... HIS NAME IS IN THE TITLE!!!!!! Mel Torme. and he IS almost as famous as Sinatra and Martin. His nickname is the Velvet Fog because he is so smooth!

[@EdwardMuscare]

His effortless style was very appealing.

[@danvanlandingham3854]

I had this on an old Columbia acoustic 78 about 50+ years ago and learned how to impersonate him from that record.Torme was a good drummer.He does a nice job here.

[@demonheracross]

I first heardof this song on an episode of looney tues called "Wet Hare" when bugs bunny was singing it while showering under a waterfall.

[@WytZox1]

APRIL SHOWERS 1st recorded by AL JOLSON long before Mel recorded it. I remember when my 3rd grade class sang it at a school assembly and we practically got laughed off the stage. We just weren't as cool as Mel.

[@Teezer44]

OHHHHHHHH MYYY DAYSSSSSSSSSS...WOW. WOW.WOW..WHo is this man, coz his voice is INCREDIBLE..i think he is the greatest male singert i have ever ever ever heard. Im only 19, so im not too familiar with this style of music, but why was he not as famous as sinatra and co? He certainly has greater voice. WOW. I AM BLOWN AWAY. I REALLY CAN NOT DESCIRBE IT. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH 4 UPLOADIN. I NOW NEED 2 GET THIS GUYS ALBUMS AND DISCOVER GREAT MUSIC!

[@richardfranklinmorse]

He was very famous but appealed more to sophisticated listeners

[@PatriciaPopek]

Mel Torme was the greatest male jazz singer ever. Sinatra couldn’t come close to him.

[@fromthesidelines]

This was probably one of the Snader "Telescriptions" he appeared in, produced around 1951. The Page Cavanaugh Trio also appeared in several of their own, and with Bobby Troup as well.

[@attabuoy]

E-A-S-Y describes this. Tempo and delivery are just right. Experts, please confirm the great accompanists. Thanks.

[@plafkinfarms]

Mel Torme was a good drummer; he stared in a number of motion pictures which were a delight to see. Roger Plafkin--Plafkin Farms, Ada, Michigan

[@piroshi3rd]

This song makes me so happy and it's purely because of the tone of his voice. ;w;

[@WytZox1]

* A true genius who could turn a corny song into something incredibly cool! ☺

[@MelissaTicky]

awe his voice is so smooth .... everyone else has said it but... god it just needed to be said once more. Mel Torme .... SMOOOOOOTH voice

[@tenorjosh]

Musical Genius this man

[@missaprilshowers21]

This song is on my favorite movie Margie made in 1946 and I just had to look if up. I've never heard of Mel Torme until now but I love his sound. I think I have a new favorite.

[@tuxguys]

Hey, we learn as we go.

[@herminestover]

you are so lucky to discover not only this incredible man, but this whole world of music! I would say I envy you, if I had not imprinted on this kind of music, probably before your parents were born! of course I also love PUNK! Mel had a very long career and actually he is not even as good as he will get in a few years!

[@billyx8]

Maybe it's unknown to you. Everyone else knows this song very well (unless they're 12 years old). Also (from some comment below) Al Jolson was not a songwriter or composer. He was a singer, and one of the most successful and popular entertainers from the 1920's through the 1940's. So, there.

[@odeonpacific]

I sooo much agree. Not only could this guy sing, but play the drums and the piano. He wrote a number of songs as well, one of which is the famous Christmas Song. long live Mel !!!

[@bruced47]

That was very nice. Mel is almost as smooth on the brushes as he is with his voice.

[@jamierourketen]

it sounds like a loud whisper!fantastic,nearly as good as jolson...

[@ryanz06]

Jealousy brings you nowhere.

[@Gunnifunz]

It feels great to realize my all time favorite appeals to the young too .... ;-) Isn't he incredible

[@plafkinfarms]

Mel Torme had absolute pitch when he sang; his voice was truly an instrument. Roger Plafkin--Plafkin Farms, Ada, Michigan

[@missionalgirl]

Oh how I love Mel Torme!!

[@lastcrazyhorn]

I like the sound of voice best when he was younger.

[@dcfanuk]

LOVE THIS SONG

[@rsmard]

ABSOLUTELY. PLEASE POST

[@fabimezzo]

gotta love the dimples!

[@retrothingz]

Thanks for this. I adore both Mel and Page.

[@Jolson1950]

@kwmv The song April Showers was published in 1921 and introduce in the Broadway musical Bombo by the great Al Jolson. As you say - the song is a Standard and has been recorded and performed by many of the biggest names in show business over the past 90 years.

[@dianakristjansdottir1913]

I love this song and Mel Torme also:)

[@WytZox1]

+Díana Kristjánsdóttir ~> When I was in 3rd grade our class got laughed off the stage doing this song at school's spring assembly BUT hearing this version makes me realize that only Mel Torme can make this song sound kewl. ☺

[@tooslimnc]

Any one have Mel's version of My Baby Just Cares For Me? I just heard it on XM radio today, very early Mel.....it was wonderful.

[@coloraturaElise]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oma3hYpuaLp_oJY

[@PhilGeissler]

Simply the best!

[@SOUTHAFRICANKNIFEGUY]

Did you ever hear love for sale! 1981 mel torme and friends? the best scat singing I ever heard! Mel was in his 50's and at the peak of his musical art wild!!!!!! For me mel is right up there as one of the top 5 best jazz singers of all time!!!!! Louie Armstrong Billie holiday Ella Fitzgerald Frank Sinatra Mel torme Tony Bennett would probably be number 6 As far as singers who changed popular singing forever I think it's in this order, there's really only 3 and this is just my opinion 1) louie Armstrong 2) bing Crosby 3) frank Sinatra

[@douglaswallace7680]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHK1dJujm8hroac that high note is insane ! half and quater notes ? move over ! mel hits it perfectly with 64th notes !

[@PhilFeedback]

Sounds good!Thanks for posting this video

[@BudmanPackfan]

I bow to your omnipotence

[@ttgames9577]

Put this on fallout 4 radio and no one will see the difference

[@Mgopro]

Nobody will ever do this song better.

[@takethestagelv202]

Outstanding!

[@olmar71]

numero uno!! grande mel

[@SabrinaMM123]

so good :-) very beautiful voice

[@avamaysuzuki]

Lyrics: When April showers may come your way They bring the flowers that bloom in May So when it's raining have no regrets Because it isn't raining, rain you know It's raining violets And when you see clouds up on the hills They soon will be crowds of daffodils So keep on looking for that bluebird And listening for his song Whenever April showers come along

[@kaburto1966]

So smooth!

[@nostalgia9800]

It's wonderful! Thank you! :) -A.H.

[@DDAL2]

I'm not sure but I think it may be Allan Reuss (played with Goodman in the 30s and early 40s)

[@sicilianbabe8]

This is great! So young and sweet and swinging. I forgot he is a drummer. Nice contrast to his smoking later years 'cause he just got better and better. Where Sinatra just stood still . My opinion has always been Tome was better than Sinatra just because he had so much more range and that smoking scat he does makes me want to dance naked with abandon. He is great.

[@fasbc]

This is sweet!

[@SOUTHAFRICANKNIFEGUY]

this guy did a little bit of everything, he played drums, piano, wrote comedy skits for the judy garland show in 1963 he was also a good actor. If you can find it, look for a television 50's movie called "the comedian" he really showed some acting chops! mostly though, he was know as an awesome jazz singer he's right up there with ella fitzgerald, sarah vaughan and frank sinatra

[@WytZox1]

Omar Calderon ~> Along with Steve Allen and Barack Obama, Mel Torme is one of the greats from Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. ☺

[@SOUTHAFRICANKNIFEGUY]

I have it!!! On DVD yes the comedian with Mickey Rooney written by rod sterling directed by John frankenhiemer RIP Brilliant director he was only 27 when he directed the comedian it's in kinescope the whole thing was done live!!! And yes Mel torme was awesome as Lester the weak kneed brother to the bombastic Sammy Hogarth really great dramatic acting by everyone!!! To think torme didn't even want to do it!!! Because he got paid more money making a living just doing guest shot appearances on other shows.

[@SOUTHAFRICANKNIFEGUY]

If your interested you can still get its dvd set called the golden age of television all of the 50' kinescopes not just comedian, but a requiem for a heavyweight, the days of wine and roses (the Jack Lemmon, lee remick version was better) but still solid performances overall)

[@SOUTHAFRICANKNIFEGUY]

I was born in the 67 sometimes I wish I was born in 47 so I could enjoy the baby boom years and all the talent that was out there.

[@coloraturaElise]

He also wrote arrangements, which he started doing back in his pre-teens with his vocal group the MelTones.

[@fromthesidelines]

If I'm correct, this was during the period {c. 1950} when Bob Morgan replaced Page's original guitarist, Al Viola, and Charles Parnell played bass. I don't know who the harpist was...

[@ginzaretoro]

Great singing and brushwork. Is the guitarist Mr.Sal Salvador? Thank you for upord.

[@jazzrecordingsandarchives9198]

Yes, he is.

[@ginzaretoro]

@@jazzrecordingsandarchives9198 Thank you.

[@NJDolphin23]

I haven't heard enough of Torme's music to compare him to Sinatra or Cole. I still don't think there's a voice comparable to Mr. Marvin Gaye though, listen to him sing "Hello Young Lovers" if you can find it. This was a nice clip though, thanks for posting. I alllways enjoy the artists in their youth so much more..

[@YouzTube99]

What a talent -- terrific post! Side note: Mel *hated* the 'Velvet Fog' moniker.

[@WytZox1]

+YouzTube99 ~> What he also hated was when record producers tried to get him to do a more contemporary style during mid 1960s. He's Mel. He puts his own unique style to a song and makes it his own as he did here. ☺

[@YouzTube99]

+WytZox1 Good point! That period was the nadir of his career. He (in)famously referred to rock and roll as "three-chord manure" -- which didn't make him too popular with young people. When vocal jazz resurged in the 70s he did too and in addition to be recognized as one of the best singers became a kind of cult hero, mainly because of his appearances on the TV show 'Night Court'.

[@WytZox1]

YouzTube99 ~> Mel also refused to perform in any Broadway musicals because he'd never perform any song exactly as written nor would he do it exactly the same way everytime. I loved that NIGHT COURT episode when Roz got angry at him for putting his own unique style on a Christmas song. ☺

[@peteguit4731]

Sounds exactly like Nat's trio. I believe they were friends also.

[@WytZox1]

+pete guit ~> Mel Torme wrote The Christmas Song ("Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ...") yet Nat King Cole's recording of that song made it the great Xmas season tradition it is today. ☺

[@layde1]

@terrybeaton Yes, he had to be extra good because he did not have the looks. His amazing talent carried him.

[@edaugusts]

This is a very familiar melody to someone who's in their 50's or 60's, but this upbeat, jazzy version is a new one for me -- but a lot of fun! I'm more used to the Al Jolson / Judy Garland versions. "Nearly unknown song"... does that description even go with this Mel Torme footage? It looks like a mistake of some kind...

[@setosbagofgoodies995]

@2:15 til the ending... beautiful

[@wenglishsal]

@padleynj .... the name you are looking for is Mick Hucknall ( not sure of the spelling of his surname sorry)... But you are right he has a fantastic voice... :0)x

[@ShepAussie]

I belive this is one of the songs my 3rd grade teacher had us sing. Mrs. Zubrod at Faylane Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA.

[@MrJazzman1350]

The guitar player is Al Viola.....look him up on Classic Jazz Guitar.

[@archy2frank2]

@tooslimnc I just heard Mel Torme version of My Baby Just Cares For Me and your right it was fantastic.

[@Neongraveyard112]

Back when you actual needed skill

[@lomate1963]

Alexander Vellon and buckets of talent 👏🏻

[@yashthakur386]

Alexander Vellon Hahahah true.

[@walt686868]

Why does music always prompt someone to make a stupid comment? Why? Does good music naturally make people feel insecure so they feel the need for attention? Interesting question.

[@miklosernoehazy8678]

...a flawless vocalization... ...and all of it done without auto-tune...

[@tuxguys]

Mel the Fog, singing a Jolson tune, and swinging the hell out of just a snare drum for a bit... The brilliant guitarist is the always working (and never as famous as he should be) Al Viola: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Viola (Isn't "Al Viola" a great name for a Jazz Guitarist?) This was a marvelous fun clip, and I am in the Poster's debt.

[@dvdgrog]

Wonderful!

[@sandaglad]

This is wonderful. One point of curiosity, although the trio (plus harp) sounds just like Page Cavanaugh's, that's not Cavanaugh at the piano, nor do either of the sidemen (wonderful guitar!) look familiar. Were they stand-ins - or a different group?

[@SomedayMaybe11]

So~~~~good!!

[@Timska]

i love it

[@yorugua97]

I have heard Eddie Cantor sing My Baby Just Cares For Me.

[@cwinter]

So hot it's cool!

[@kennithyoung6306]

Break dance practice, youtube

[@paulpatrick4553]

Nice brush work..

[@sandaglad]

An example of Mel Torme singing in 1944/45, several years before this 1950/51 session: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKu9Y52di7yBl7s

[@TheDawgKatcher]

@jalex Fully agree, A'S was a Standard and much sung and recorded in it's day, and still in the rep'r of many a 'trad-ish' jazz group. Youngsters ???? Many thanks for this great rendition from a GREAT singer. Any chance of Matt Monro's version ?

[@renshi300]

Mel!!

[@fmbighair]

this cat can swing AND sing, lol!!!

[@dr.brianjudedelimaphd743]

Go cats go !

[@hijodelaisla275]

"April Showers" is hardly a "nearly unknown song." It's a standard that has endured 100 years and is a member in good standing of the Great American Songbook.

[@max180568]

Ich bin auch selbst ein reisiger Fan davon

[@joeknipes9567]

Al Viola on guitar!

[@blacklavoux]

nobody sings like this anymore.

[@79mojorisin]

does anybody know the name of the movie he made about a motorcycle gang

[@danrose]

sweet-can anyone identify the spacy microphone?

[@GirGrunny]

Radio sings this in TBLT...

[@mendoncacorreia]

I think not... Why, then, was he always under the shadow of Sinatra, Bennet and the likes? It beats me!...

[@Jolson1950]

April Showers a nearly unknown song????

[@eliperez8481]

we can thank Lucy and Schroeder from Charlie Brown for teaching us this song xD

[@jenniferbrown5480]

Love Mel (especially baby Mel) but this is not an unknown song by any means... Judy Garland, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and others have covered this Al Jolson great:)

[@KnockelII]

Elegant stuff. For a number like this, you could call him a white man's Nat King Cole.

[@pauljurgen-romrig9616]

Dad Man Cat!

[@statesideqsod]

Love those brushes. Can anyone tell me when he recorded this?

[@jazzrecordingsandarchives9198]

1950

[@tetokasane999]

How did I find an 11 year old youtube video

[@Gunnifunz]

you should hear him scat .........

[@dianakristjansdottir1913]

👍

[@TonyRosenberg]

what year was this in?

[@rankingtrevor]

1951 I believe

[@TonyRosenberg]

@@rankingtrevor cool

[@liberosantavenere8890]

Who is the guitar player ? Please

[@mel1001]

A nearly unknown song? Nonsense. It was a big hit for Al Jolson around the time Torme sang this. But I suppose you've never heard of Jolson either...

[@megs6378]

damn what kind of microphone is that i wonder..

[@gm0618]

Mel was the Singers Singer....and this is NOT an unknown song...not to us old folk..ha

[@coloraturaElise]

I think the original poster was trying to say it was an unknown recording of Mel's, not that the song was unknown, because it's an old standard from the 20s. I have a ton of Mel's cds, and I've certainly never heard this recording.