Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers At RKO: Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology [Soundtrack]

Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 17, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Rhino
• ASIN: B00000346B
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,288 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #7 in Music > Pop > Oldies > Tin Pan Alley
  • #28 in Music > Miscellaneous > Nostalgia
  • #82 in Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz > General AAS

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Flying Down to Rio [From Flying Down to Rio][#]

2. A Needle in a Haystack [From The Gay Divorcee]

3. Night and Day [From the Gay Divorcee]

4. The Continental [From the Gay Divorcee]

5. No Strings (I'm Fancy Free) [From Top Hat]

6. Isn't This a Lovely Day? [From Top Hat]

7. Top Hat, White Tie and Tails [From Top Hat]

8. Cheek to Cheek [From Top Hat]

9. Let's Begin [From Roberta][#]

10. I'll Be Hard to Handle [From Roberta][#]

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Pick Yourself Up [From Swing Time]

2. The Way You Look Tonight [From Swing Time]

3. Waltz in Swing Time [From Swing Time][Instrumental]

4. A Fine Romance [From Swing Time]

5. Bojangles of Harlem [From Swing Time]

6. Never Gonna Dance [From Swing Time]

7. I Can't Be Bothered Now [From A Damsel in Distress]

8. A Foggy Day [From A Damsel in Distress]

9. Nice Work If You Can Get It [From A Damsel in Distress]

10. Things Are Looking Up [From A Damsel in Distress]

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

During the "talkies'" first decade, Hollywood quickly rivalled Broadway as a major platform for the best pop music, and no franchise underlined this potential better than the Astaire/Rogers musicals released by RKO Pictures. Ironically, that golden age of musicals preceded the introduction of LPs, so it's been left until now for the release of this comprehensive two-CD anthology, which extracts classic vocal performances of classics from Irving Berlin and the Gershwins, among others, slighter but no less charming novelty songs, and brief dialogue excerpts. For fans, it's the mother lode, but even more casual listeners will be reminded of Astaire's deceptively plain yet indelible voice, and Rogers' own warm, engaging style. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Choice for Fans of the Astaire/Rogers Films, October 4, 2002

By 

manda600 (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers At RKO: Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology (Audio CD)

I was thrilled to discover this CD set. Previously, I had been looking for Fred Astaire albums that included the songs from his films with Ginger Rogers, but they were all slightly different from their film versions (some people may not have noticed, but it really bothered me). Then, I found this at my local library and loved it so much I had to buy my own copy. These are, obviously, the songs exactly as they are heard in the films, as they are all taken directly from the film source. I know that some have put down the audio quality as "poor". Granted, the quality is not up to par with the audio on recordings currently being produced. However, it's important to remember these recordings are from the 1930s. It's only natural that they won't have the same kind of audio quality and crispness we're used to now. With that in mind, I was satisfied with the recordings.

One of the great things about this set is the dialogue from the movies that is included with some of the songs. I was pleasantly surprised by it and, as someone else mentioned, it really does conjure up the movie scenes again in your mind. I also think it should be mentioned that the "liner notes" included here are much more than a simple song list. It is a 39 page booklet with pictures, a history of both Astaire and Rogers lives and careers (including a history of their real-life romance), as well as information on the movies and their creation. For a fan, having this booklet included is a wonderful, added bonus.

I rated this CD package 4 stars because 4 1/2 wasn't available. The reason I demoted it that 1/2 a star is because there are a few songs from the films that were not included, namely "The Piccolino" from TOP HAT, the reprise of "A Fine Romance/The Way You Look Tonight" from the finale of SWING TIME, and "Since They Turned Loch Lomand Into Swing" from CAREFREE. Still, because of what is included, I think this is well worth purchasing for any Astaire/Rogers fans. [I also recommend the 2-disk CD set "Fred Astaire at MGM", if you'd like to own the songs from "THE BARKELYS OF BROADWAY", his final film with Ginger Rogers.]

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Homage to Mr. Jerome Kern, November 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers At RKO: Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology (Audio CD)

I'm giggling as I'm writing this, because my musical knowledge comes no where near my literary knowledge, or my knowledge of film. (I never in a million years thought I'd write anything other than a book or video review.)

But, as I said in my title, I want to pay homage to dear Mr. Kern. I bought this CD because after I saw Fred & Ginger's movie "Swing Time," I fell head-over-heels in love with the Jerome Kern score, and Mr. Kern immediately became my favorite composer (though all the other greats of the first half of the 20th century are very close seconds: Berlin, Porter, R & H, Gershwin, etc.).

This CD is worth the price (heck, MORE than worth the price) just for the breathtakingly beautiful score of "Swing Time" (Disc 2, Songs 1-6). As far as I know, the original score to "Swing Time" is not, by itself, on CD (don't quote me on that). So buy this CD, for it is simply unthinkable that any fan of American standards (pre-1950) not experience the magic of this music. (Yes, MAGIC; it motivated me to buy this CD, and I only own, including this one, THREE CDs!!!)

Well, now I'm off, because writing this has made me want to listen to it...for the HUNDREDTH time!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Best of Fred & Ginger"! Sing along & tap your toes!, August 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers At RKO: Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology (Audio CD)

Isn't it a lovely day to be with Ginger and Fred! They will lift the gloomiest of spirits and give you a song for the day, the week, the year! Those catchy songs from "Swing Time" and "Shall We Dance" are the best of the bunch. Try the cut of the lovely waltz in swing time the next time you are driving--it will shorten the miles and broaden your smiles! Many of the songs are introduced by several lines of dialogue from the films; so you can visualize the scene as the song begins. Fred's rendition of "Things are Looking Up" is so joyous it alone is worth the price of the set. Ditto "Slap that Bass"--every selection will remind you why these two are the best musical couple ever. The notes that accompany this CD are outstanding. They are illustrated with the posters from the films, some great photos, and new tidbits even for Fred and Ginger's biggest fans. It'll sweep you off your feet!