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

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

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....

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

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

His voice is like a mix of velvet and silk!

A duet made in heaven.

It doesn’t get much better than this!

Sublime by any definition

absolute perfection!

High art! Wow!

fabulous

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

legend.

Enduring gorgeousness!

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.

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.

simply fabbo

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

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

Whenever I think about the greatest singers ever I alway forget about Mel..... I prefer Bobby Darin's version of this song though.......

to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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

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

The greatest voice in a century.

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

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.

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

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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

Wonderful control and phrasing

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.

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.

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

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

Wonderful version of this lovely old song

Mel and George , a perfect combination.

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.

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

The Velvet Fog. What a voice!!

Great performance. Two departed legends.

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

Speechless with tears in my eyes.

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

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

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

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.

Damn such an absolutely pure tone!

Just fabulous

my favourite version, many thanks for this wonderful post.

How amazingly happy is that pianist to be playing that number

He has the voice of an angel!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

I’ve always liked Mel even though I’m a diehard Frank fan but when I see George Shearing‘s name attached to some thing I have to stop and listen to it. Mel still had it in 89.

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.

They don’t call him The Velvet Fog for nothin’…..

The master.

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!

How does he breath like that!

Perfection ! ! !

Classic performance to be enjoyed all my life

There will never be another Velvet Fog

Mel was a legend

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

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.

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

Beautiful 😭

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.

And he can sing. Thank you.

And when asked, he said that Frank Sinatra was the best singer. He did qualify it by saying Frank had to be well rested.

Awesome, sublime, what have you. Pure Magic.

There are artists who'd "do" their songs. Mel Tormé always only _sang_ his songs.

Awesome baritone.

Hmm. Very nice. Prefer the Harry Connick, Jr. rendition.

Astounding...

Enchanting! Many thanks for posting.

pure magic

The Velvet Fog - one of the finest crooners!

👏👏👏

Beautiful

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🥺

Sublime

beautiful

Splendido...

Breath taking

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

Holy smokes! That's amazing!

It's not about your voice Mel! Tell the story!

Oh my!!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👏👏👏

A perfect gentleman

❤️