Puttin' on the Ritz - Fred Astaire, Berlin, Irving
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off - Fred Astaire, Gershwin, George
Dearly Beloved - Fred Astaire, Kern, Jerome
Nice Work If You Can Get It - Fred Astaire, Gershwin, George
They All Laughed - Fred Astaire, Gershwin, George
Top Hat, White Tie and Tails - Fred Astaire, Berlin, Irving
Cheek to Cheek - Fred Astaire, Berlin, Irving
We're in the Money (The Gold Diggers Song) - Fred Astaire, Dubin, Al
I Can't Be Bothered Now - Fred Astaire, Gershwin, George
Pick Yourself Up - Fred Astaire, Fields, Dorothy
Crazy Feet - Fred Astaire, Conrad, Con
Let Yourself Go - Fred Astaire, Berlin, Irving
Slap That Bass - Fred Astaire, Gershwin, George
Track Listings (14) - Disc #2
Flying Down to Rio - Fred Astaire, Eliscu, Edward
They Can't Take That Away from Me - Fred Astaire, Gershwin, George
A Foggy Day - Fred Astaire, Gershwin, George
Isn't This a Lovely Day? - Fred Astaire, Berlin, Irving
Change Partners - Fred Astaire, Berlin, Irving
Night and Day - Fred Astaire, Porter, Cole
Let's Face the Music and Dance - Fred Astaire, Berlin, Irving
Things Are Looking Up - Fred Astaire, Gershwin, George
No Strings (I'm Fancy Free) - Fred Astaire, Berlin, Irving
Bojangles of Harlem - Fred Astaire, Fields, Dorothy
Never Gonna Dance - Fred Astaire, Fields, Dorothy
We Saw the Sea - Fred Astaire, Berlin, Irving
I'm Old Fashioned - Fred Astaire, Kern, Jerome
The Way You Look Tonight - Fred Astaire, Fields, Dorothy
This entry in the budget-priced Cocktail Hour series captures the quintessential dancer, Fred Astaire, in his other element--the Great American Songbook. Classic tunes by George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter... more », and Jerome Kern fill this 80-minute collection of standards drawn chiefly from the 1930s films Astaire made with Ginger Rogers (who doesn't appear here). Most of the tracks were recorded in the '30s for Brunswick with various studio orchestras (not the film soundtracks). A few of the highlights are "Puttin' On the Ritz," "Cheek to Cheek," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "Night and Day," and "The Way You Look Tonight." Sound quality is uneven (not surprisingly for recordings of this vintage), and no liner notes or recording information is included. Still, this is a worthwhile introduction to a great artist. --David Horiuchi« less
This entry in the budget-priced Cocktail Hour series captures the quintessential dancer, Fred Astaire, in his other element--the Great American Songbook. Classic tunes by George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and Jerome Kern fill this 80-minute collection of standards drawn chiefly from the 1930s films Astaire made with Ginger Rogers (who doesn't appear here). Most of the tracks were recorded in the '30s for Brunswick with various studio orchestras (not the film soundtracks). A few of the highlights are "Puttin' On the Ritz," "Cheek to Cheek," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "Night and Day," and "The Way You Look Tonight." Sound quality is uneven (not surprisingly for recordings of this vintage), and no liner notes or recording information is included. Still, this is a worthwhile introduction to a great artist. --David Horiuchi
""I'm old fashioned, but I don't mind it. That's how I want to be as long as you agree to stay old fashioned with me", he sings. I agree, Mr. Astaire. As good as music is today, it's always nice to take a trip back in time and hear these songs. From the dreamy "Flying Down to Rio" to the sublime "Cheek to Cheek", this is a regular guy (i.e. this could be you or me singing these songs) breaking out into the music of Porter, Berlin and Gershwin - the Holy Trinity of early American Composers.I used to watch the old Fred Astaire movies (Gene Kelly, as well) and wish that I'd find myself on a night where the moon was full and the stars were bright and... I'd turn to the girl I love, smile and start singing something like ... "The way your smile just beams. The way you sing off key. The way you haunt my dreams - no, no... they can't take that away from me". I'm sure I'd probably end up falling into the river, but this music makes you dream like that - of breaking out into song, of jumping up onto a table and dancing your way around the room.It's a tonic. It makes you feel happy to be alive..."
You'll dance!
Maria Mercado | Austin, TX USA | 05/29/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I LOVE Fred Astaire's simple delivery and sweet voice. If you do, too, this is a nice compilation that will make you want to go take some dance lessons and transport you to Fred and Ginger's "simpler times"."
Ballroom Dance Instructor Review
Sally Anne Sherman | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania United States | 02/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am a professional Ballroom Dance Instructor and this CD is a favorite among my classes. Each song is a classic masterpiece by the master himself. With songs like "Puttin' on the Ritz," "Let's call the Whole Thing Off," and "Cheek to Cheek," you will enjoy every moment of it. Buy it!"
Fred Astaire-Cocktail Hour
Sally Anne Sherman | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania United States | 04/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This classic CD is top in my book. I am a ballroom dance instructor and I am able to use this collection in all of my classes! What a great price!"