Although 14 minutes of this CD is a specific "Tribute to Benny Goodman," the entire release is actually at least an indirect homage to
the King of Swing.
Mel Tormé and his trio (pianist John Colianni, bassist
John Leitham, and drummer Donny Osborne) are joined by clarinetist
Ken Peplowski and vibraphonist
Peter Appleyard (who are very reminiscent of
Goodman and
Lionel Hampton), and the emphasis is on swing-era standards.
Tormé is in typically fine form on such tunes as "It's All Right with Me," "These Foolish Things," "Three Little Words," and the closing "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye." The singer even has some additional fun during this concert (recorded live in Japan) by switching to drums for a rousing "Sing, Sing, Sing," which climaxes the
Goodman medley. ~ Scott Yanow