Mel Torme & George Shearing - Pick Yourself Up - 8/18/1989 - Newport Jazz Festival (Official)

[@kurtkaufman]

I had the honor of working with Mel Torme in Sacramento in about 1988. He was unfailingly kind, generous, and a pleasure to work with. I hadn't been previously aware of his talents, and I was quite amazed at the ability of this gentleman, now getting on in years, to hit every single note securely, and yet never sound as if he were making any compromises, musically.

[@patrickkelly7301]

George Shearing & The Velvet Fog. I hope this concert is in the Library Of Congress' collection.

[@jenniferbate9682]

Love this so much xxx❤

[@a_bode1]

It just put a smile on my face

[@bucksix1]

Who else but Mel Torme could or would skat Bach. We really lost a great one when he passed. There's not a day goes by that I do not miss him.

[@pamtebelman2321]

He was definitely one of the Great Ones! I think he and Sammy Davis Jr. were the best popular singers of their day and perhaps of all time.

[@l.w.paradis2108]

Bless you.

[@JanetESmith-er8sk]

Guard this clip with your lives!

[@firstnamelastname9631]

absolutely fabulous! Bach would be proud.

[@TheHansoost]

These gentlemen are soooo good. Great entertainers. Mel had an excellent voice, a great sense of fun and superb phrasing. And George Shearing, wow.

[@RoseTaitsinger]

Vamp until ready! What a tour de force performance from these two masters

[@carltaylor5251]

The first time I've ever heard of Mel Torm'e. Was the TV show Night Court. The shows main character was a die hard Mel Torme' fan. And he was in real life. He had made numerous guests appearances on the show. And on his first appearance he performed this song. And soon afterwards I was hooked. This is my favorite song by him. My go to when I need cheering up. My pick me upper of sorts. Like I need right now.

[@cambiohome]

Fantastic

[@rblock5916]

I saw him do this at Michael’s Pub in the mid 90s. Prior to the performance, I watched him eat a huge pasta meal and thought “oh, God, this is going to be awful”. He was pitch perfect…unreachable talent is unreachable.

[@TheHansoost]

George and Mel, a couple of legends. I've got a few Mel and George albums (Paul Masson winery) and another featuring WWII songs. My favourite is Velvet and Brass with Rob McConnell Band. What makes this album standout is that it gets better the more you listen to it. The man's phrasing, breath control, intonation and range are exceptional. So glad I got to see him perform in Vancouver. A great talent.

[@rushfan79]

The scatmaster of all time!

[@davidmiller4078]

WOW fantastic to discover always loved Mels 1955 ish ? version of Georges classic song Lullaby of Birdland but this is so tight sparse yet Dynamic these masters go way back and thanx to the kind person who posted this they continue to benifit people with their musical inspirations Oblrigado mate greetings from the Scottish Highlands

[@PeterVantine]

So good! Torme and Shearing: the Dynamic Duo!! If this doesn't make you smile . . . I have no words.

[@nickvledder]

Brilliant! I wish I was there that night!

[@kathycahill1698]

Mel and George, incomparable! Got to see them a few times in Saratoga.

[@Aprilhojazz]

It's in their blood. The rhythm is in their blood.

[@Trevorjamminjames]

This is my favorite rendition of this song I was laughing yet amazed at 2:43

[@quakers200]

The ways he phrases his lines is so distinctive. You almost feel as if he is going to fumble his line but he always knows exactly where he is, what he is doing and yet it feels spontaneous. It may even be that he is like in his younger days. He never forgets that there is a story in the song and yet his voice is also a musical insturment. But i overthink it when i should just soak it in.

[@annamaria3038]

Phenomenal artists!!!

[@pamtebelman2321]

geniuses both, Mel is stunning! Thank you for posting.

[@sheilaforrester5741]

Amazing performance of one of my favorites

[@guidewell]

With the spoken introduction this gem of live skat singing comping brilliant extemporary piano is complete. I have searched high and low for the LP transcription but no-one has one for sale, more's the pity. I can skat with the best of them but here is a pinnacle too high for any other than these two unique and stellar masters of the art.

[@jimbobboy101]

Christopher John Bridgman This Torme song version w/ skat singing/Bach is in the CD Mel Torme Live at Marty's- has Jay lenhart also on the bass- great!

[@pamtebelman2321]

Incredible!

[@jpa1214]

Lovely

[@jilltorvaney5105]

wow!!!!!x

[@Endescendantmontezdonc]

Melvin Howard Tormé is the Dieter Fischer Diskau of jazz music...He would have being great in a JSB's cantatas !...

[@SergeyChupyrin]

Just Genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@peteshaw799]

Legend

[@stanyscognamiglio1080]

This performance is extraordinary: it is the only version that reproduces the dialogue between Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in Swing Time with exceptional fidelity. Not to mention the great virtuosity

[@jmobass]

A-MAZ-ING!!!!

[@princeandrey]

His voice is as smooth and plastic as ever!

[@jfcSharp]

With whom must lyricist Dorothy Fields and songwriter Jerome Kern sleep to get credited with the exceptional material! Devastating inner rhymes and provided a punchline in Obama's inauguration speech.

[@langleybryant8641]

Dat scat tho. Swingin

[@YouzTube99]

This is wonderful but it leaves me wondering what the 'Master Of Funk' did in the previous tune.

[@l.w.paradis2108]

Has anyone ever sung Bach's ornaments better? A rhetorical question.