Fred Astaire - The Complete London Sessions (1999/2003)

This British three-CD set breaks down into two distinct parts: Fred Astaire's first recordings and his last. The first disc brings together 19 recordings made for the British labels HMV and Columbia between 1923 and 1933. These are recordings made when Astaire was appearing in stage shows in London, and on eight of them he duets with his sister and dancing partner Adele. Several of the shows had scores written by the Gershwin brothers, and on five tracks George Gershwin provides the piano accompaniment. In "The Half of It, Dearie Blues," he even tap-dances. "How's that, George?" he asks. "That's great, Freddy," replies Gershwin. These are not all of the recordings the artist made during the period; he also cut tracks in New York for Victor between 1931 and 1933, and those are not included. But these original cast recordings are Astaire's earliest, and they are priceless. The second and third discs in the set contain the 36 tracks -- three LP's worth -- a 76-year-old Astaire recorded for United Artists Records in 1975, an album's worth of them with Bing Crosby. His final recordings, they were originally released in Britain as Attitude Dancing (UAS 29885), A Couple of Song and Dance Men (UAS 29888), and They Can't Take That Away From Me (UAS 29941). Original producer Ken Barnes has re-sequenced the tracks for CD, substituting the occasional alternate take, and adding some studio chatter. Astaire, in surprisingly good voice, remakes some of his old favorites, sings several songs of his own composition, and covers a few recent hits such as "My Eyes Adored You." The Crosby duets are pleasant and amusing. The result is not essential, but it possesses the light charm of all Astaire's work.