Pleasure of His Company

The title refers to Mel Torme's longtime pianist Mike Renzi, who has also been Maureen McGovern's collaborator since Torme introduced them in 1981. Following Another Woman in Love, their second voice-piano project is a luscious collection of love songs. McGovern doesn't use all of her celebrated multiple-octave range, but she has never sounded better than when pouring her heart into these songs. Listen to her pause and sigh in the line, "Though I live at 5135 Kensington Avenue / And he lives at 51... 33." Not even Judy Garland longed this much for the boy next door! The song list is impeccable, and Renzi always provides the perfect setting and exquisite accompaniment. An absolutely beautiful album. --David Horiuchi