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Last broadcast on Sun, 10 May 2009, 21:00 on BBC Radio 2.
Synopsis
We're sure you'll agree with us that it was right to devote much of the show to Fred Astaire. We had the good reason that it was the 110th anniversary of his birth but we shouldn't ever need an excuse, for Frederick Austerlitz has to be one of the most important 20th Century artists in the history of the popular song.
Consider the extraordinary list of songs he introduced, songs that remain firmly in the repertoire to this day. It's hardly surprising the respect and gratitude all those composers regularly showed him; composers like Irving Berlin: 'I never would have written Top Hat, White Tie and Tails or Cheek To Cheek or Isn't This A lovely Day if I didn't have Fred Astaire.... to write for.'
It helped that Fred's straightforward approach meant that the songs would become known as the writers intended - which further endeared him to Berlin, The Gershwins, Porter and Kern. A third factor in their appreciation of The Great Fred was that - as we've shown a little this week - he was one of them; a bona fide songwriter in his own right. If he hadn't been one of the world's finest dancers - an occupation which, given his famous perfectionism, took up a great deal of time - he might well have been up there with George & Ira, Cole, Jerry and Irving.
Recommendations
It’s old and probably withdrawn by now but if you can get hold of a copy of “Fred Astaire – The Complete London Sessions” you won’t be disappointed: Every known commercial British recording that Fred made in his long career are contained here in these three CDs, beginning with a few very archaic sounds from pre-electric days, sometimes with his sister, Adele and often with George Gershwin at the piano. Discs 2 and 3 come from the ‘70s with the assistance of MD Pete Moore and producer Ken Barnes and as well as reprising many of Fred’s most notable musical achievements of the previous 50 years, they give us a few of Fred’s own songs, the duets with Bing Crosby and some revealing ‘session sound-bites’ into the bargain. A very comprehensive book helps to make this a must for anyone interested in this giant of 20th century entertainment. EMI 520 0452 is the number.
We’ve just room to mention a quite recent release that spotlights: “Anita O’day – Four Classic Albums”, a double CD that reproduces “Anita sings The Most” (1957 with Oscar Peterson) “The Lady Is A Tramp” (1952 with Ralph Burns, Roy Kral & Larry Russell in charge); “An Evening With..” from 1954/5 backed by 3 different groups; and “Anita” from 1955 with Buddy Bregman i/c 3 different units. It’s all superb stuff and it captures not only Miss O’Day at her peak but some scintillating accompaniments as well, and there are plenty of fine ballads among the swingers. Look for AVID AMSC 963, their website is above.
The 110th anniversary of his birth: Fred Astaire
Tracklist
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Rosemary Clooney — If Swing Goes, I Go Too
Concord, CCD-4795-2 -
Fred Astaire — Not My GirlEMI, 7243 5 20045 2 2 -
Henry Hall & His Orchestra — I’m Building Up To An Awful Let-Down
Radiogram, RGM 001 -
The Boswell Sisters — Top Hat, White Tie & Tails
Nostalgia Arts, NOCD 3023 -
Stacey Kent, Michael Law; Piccadilly Dance Orch — On Your Toes
Ter Vip Series, CDVIR 8326 -
Anita O'Day — A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
Avid, AMSC 963 -
Fred Astaire — Just Like Taking Candy From A BabyDRG, CDMRS 911
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Clarence Williams' Washboard Five — I Can’t Dance (Got Ants In My Pants)
Timeless, CBC 1-056 -
Marlene VerPlanck — Dream Dancing
Audiophile, ACD 256 -
Frank Sinatra — Dancing In The DarkCapitol, CDP 7 48468 2 -
Pat Healy — You Never Knew About Me
Pacific Jazz, TOCJ-6074 -
June Christy — I Didn’t Know About You
Capitol, CDP 7 98452 2 -
Brook Benton — I Don’t Know Enough About YouMercury/Verve, 0602498604151
Broadcast
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Sun 10 May 200921:00
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