TORCH: Sounds for Staying Home

TOrcH

Sounds for Staying Home

© 2002 TOrcH (733792410626)

CD permanently out of stock. Sorry!

Swing standards done the standard swing way: smoky, sexy vocals over sweet, simple arrangements with emphasis on the mood and feel of the song.

tracks

1 Bye Bye Blackbird
2 We'll Be Together Again
3 Exactly Like You
4 I Got it Bad (and That Ain't Good)
5 They Can't Take That Away From Me
6 Dindi
7 Honeysuckle Rose
8 Loverman
9 Four
10 The Nearness of You

notes

There is a reason people will always go on romanticizing about listening to "old jazz records." The sounds are tender and powerful and human and magic all at the same time. TorCH is jazz. Swing standards done the standard swing way: Smokey, sexy vocals over sweet, simple arrangements with emphasis on the mood and feel of the song. Jazz is good


Here's more if you're interested....This is by the producer, Brian Beattie:

One of the things I find most charming about mid to late 50's american jazz is the beautiful, almost magical confluence with the music and the recording technology. An upscale american jazz recording session in say, 1957, would really be a relatively simple affair. A few musicians, maybe a couple of german tube microphones and a couple of american ribbon mics, a tube mixing board and a tube reel to reel recorder, most likely an ampex. But when the musicians were hot, and the producers/engineers could keep up with them, the results were no less than staggering.

Torch is a casually mighty group. They play the standards they choose with such ease that it takes a moment to realize how "right" they sound.

That sound is straight out of 1957, with none of the cuteness or irony that mars many modern folks attempts at playing old style jazz. In Torch's hands, the songs are all alive and breathing.

When Seela asked me to record them, I jumped at the chance to use some of those old tried and true recording methods perfected almost half a century ago.

We used tube and ribbon microphones, a tube mixer and a rebuilt tube reel to reel ampex 351, the workhorse machine of the late 50's. The musicians all stood together in a room and made music. The sound they made, and the way it was captured on tape was a lovely and eye opening experience for me. I'm honored to be able to share it.
Enjoy Torch. (It ain't hard to do!)

Brian Beattie
Austin, TX

reviews

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  • A Must have for Jazz/Blues lovers
    author: Bill

    Great 'Stay at home music'!!! just like the title. It was the perfect CD for dinner with the lady of my life, the music and the mix was very evocative and reminiscent of the 50s - right from the opening of 'Blackbird' you get that vibe...we can't wait to hear it live at LUNA!

  • Unbelievably silky!
    author: Steve

    I just can't get this one out of my player. Seela's vocals are intoxicating. This one is a must have for your collection.

  • Very enjoyable
    author: Bonnie

    I just love this CD, great for listening to in the car. Everytime I play it for someone they ask about it. The arrangements of the songs are wonderful.

  • THIS CD IS AWESOME!!
    author: Michele Parker

    We first heard this CD as Los Pinos Ranch Vineyard in Pittsburg, TX and loved it!! Came straight home and bought it. Seela has the most amazing voice, I could just listen to it over and over and over.......

  • exciting
    author: patricia steele

    i love my torch. i first heard this cd at the los pinos ranch vineyards. jeff, there first heard it at the elephant room where he got the cd. anyone that hears the cd loves it. it is old style jazz, thats what i like. it is perfect for a night of relaxation, low key, friends get together or just you and him. oh did i say it was wonderful. i think the only thing that would be better is to actually see them in person.

  • great torch songs
    author: anna

    Great versions of the classic songs. Seela has a voice to make Norah Jones jealous.

  • author: CD Baby

    The ultimate in intimate, personable jazz vocals with that smoky, stripped down, dimly-lit lounge feel. With swing standards delivered gracefully, the old standard way, it's clear that these artists are well-versed in their approach of emphasizing no-frills, clean and uncluttered delivery. Simple, weightless and light-footed, this album absolutely charms and captivates. Immensely elegant and enjoyable.

  • author: Old David

    I love it. Seela and Torch bring back the silky, sexy small combo sound that I remember from the '50s. I'm 66-years-old, and I'm remembering those great old songs and singing along. Thanks kids!

  • Pure Artistic greatness....Seela channels Billy Holiday, but makes it her own
    author: Brad

    This cd is mezmorizing. It immediately takes you back to 1955 and the great standards of those times. The band floats through these songs so effortlessly, it's as if I was listening to Gershwin myself live at The Blue Note. Seela's vocals are haunting, mysterious, but with a bousterous flow that conjures up thoughts that suggest "If Billie Holiday and Fiona Apple had a love child, Seelawould be better than that love child." From start to finish, pure genius.

  • Seela's voice is a sultry tidal wave
    author: Christina

    In crowded and rowdy Austin club nobody noticed a band setting up in a far corner. The band began playing and was barely noticeable above the boisterous roar in the room. Then, like a sultry tidal wave, Seela's voice came pouring over the masses and a bar full of heads turned to look in her direction. That was my first experience with Torch and this album conveys that same head-turning talent. Put it on at a party and watch for yourself.

  • Great CD
    author: Maarten

    I found a fragment from bye blackbird by coicidence on a russian site for microphones and played it over and over again. I just love it.

  • OUTSTANDING!!!
    author: Amanda

    The first time I heard Torch was in an interview on public radio when driving into Austin for Christmas last year. I was hooked! They were absolutely OUTSTANDING!! The next day, I tried to find the cd locally but they were sold out! (I wonder why) Purchased 4 Sounds for Staying Home cd's to give as gifts this year so everyone in my family can enjoy and grow to love the sounds of Torch as I have! Seela has the most amazing voice, such a talented woman. The band is extraordinarily talented as well. Thanks for sharing your talent and great music with us!!!

  • author: Sean "Bif" Claes

    After listening to the freshman effort by TOrcH, a four-piece outfit out of Austin, Texas, I was ready to go out and find a jazz club and dance the night away. Then I realized the name of the album was Songs for Staying Home so I sat down and pressed play again. Then again. No, this isn't another album of people who think they can play jazz and decide to record a Miles Davis song as they think it should sound today. This is a 35 minute ten-song musical trek back to the 50s scene. The smooth voiced Seela is the perfect woman to front a band that provides such a great nod the recordings made famous by Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. Chris Vestre plays a wonderful guitar, Mike Porter plays a mean bass, and Jon Greene provides a sweet rhythm on drums. Special guests on the album include Ephraim Owens on trumpet and Stan Smith on clarinet. The fact that TOrcH had the presence of mind to record Songs for Staying Home on tube and ribbon microphones on a reel-to-reel adds to the authenticity of the art. It's tough to pick favorites on this recording, there is not a miss in the lot. I'm sure it'll be an album you will want to play again. Then again.

  • You won't regret it!
    author: Steve

    First heard them on wholewheatradio.org and immediately bought the CD. Excellent - I look forward to hearing more!

  • Incrdible must check out!
    author: Jay

    I first heard Torch in Austin at SXSW. I was just coming into the Elephant Room for a few minutes and Torch came on stage. Let me tell you I stayed for their entire set! I was so impressed that I am now a proud owner of their fabulous cd. If you can't check these guys and gal out I would HIGHLY recommend you get this cd! You won't be let down!

  • Immensely elegant and enjoyable.
    author: Tamara Turner, CD Baby

    The ultimate in intimate, personable jazz vocals with that smoky, stripped down, dimly-lit lounge feel. With swing standards delivered gracefully, the old standard way, it's clear that these artists are well-versed in their approach of emphasizing no-frills, clean and uncluttered delivery. Simple, weightless and light-footed, this album absolutely charms and captivates. Immensely elegant and enjoyable.

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