Carmen McRae comes into her own on the aptly titled
Torchy, a lush, potently atmospheric collection of romantic ballads rendered for maximum impact. Although
Jack Pleis and
Ralph Burns' full, rich arrangements firmly establish the record's plaintive urgency, the sheer intensity of
McRae's vocals render orchestration virtually moot. Few singers have equaled her conviction or her fierce intelligence, and her interpretations of songs like "But Beautiful," "My Future Just Passed," and "We'll Be Together Again" pack a devastating emotional punch. ~ Jason Ankeny