Gettin Away With Murder [Import]

Patti Austin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Wea International
• ASIN: B000006V65
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #652,290 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Talkin' 'Bout My Baby

2. Big Bad World

3. The Heat of Heat

4. If I Believed

5. Honey for the Bees

6. Gettin' Away With Murder

7. Anything Can Happen Here

8. Only a Breath Away

9. Summer Is the Coldest Time of Year

Editorial Reviews

From the mid-70s through today, Patti Austin has issued a slew of excellent jazz tinged R&B albums on a variety of labels. One that has been extremely hard to find on CD is Gettin' Away With Murder. Originally issued in 1985 on Warner Brothers Records, it reached # 185 on the Billboard charts. It features a host of fine musicians, including Jeff Lorber, The Brecker Brothers, Ralph MacDonald, Dan Hartman, Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross & Jocelyn Brown. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE PATTI AUSTIN...., June 11, 2000

By 

L. Kelsey "lkelsey" (Riverside, CA. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gettin Away With Murder (Audio CD)

and this is one of my favorite albums by her. The different musical styles she explores on this album, and successfully conquers, shows just what a fine singer she is. Patti has done this type of album before, with the 1980 CTI "Body Language" album. Jam and Lewis show what great producers they are, that they can work with Janet, Cherrelle, and Patti, and have each artist put their own stamp on the material. I get the impression that Patti sings songs that seem to mean something to her. And once she puts her vocals to the tune, it definitely becomes her own. She can get funky (Heat of Heat), sensual (Only a Breath Away), or just touching (If I Believed). It's so nice to be able to find others who admire and enjoy her talent as much as I do. This is one of her best albums.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gettin' Away With Murder Is Not A Crime -if you own it !, April 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gettin Away With Murder (Audio CD)

This is the Patti Austin album I wore out on cassette form ! Boy, was I heartbroken after that. I could not find it on c.d. ( not even sold as an import back then)! To find it in l.p. form was even a rarity back in the early 90's.Her only other album to sound remotely like this one is her current In and Out of Love album.

Anyway, moving along, Gettin' Away With Murder has remained to this day my ultimate-favorite Austin album. From the first track to the last each song is excellent ( not a single disappointing song on this one)! For me the highlight is the sensual The Heat of Heat (talk about an outstanding and well crafted song from Jam and Lewis); I can really feel a day at the beach with this one ! Even though Honey for the Bees was Allison Moyet's tune, Patti does a more freely based funky and sophisticated version ( not tightly constricted or heavily synthesized as Moyet's). Big Bad World is a very cool r&b groove as well with Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, and other equally talented artists for backup. Anything Can Happen Here is refreshing and the track Summer is the Coldest Time of Year gives you a warm-chill (almost as good as The Heat of Heat)!

This was to be Patti's last R&B, pop album for Qwest Records (the next Qwest effort would surface with re-makes of old romantic standards and jazz ballads). Her next move was to GRP Records; This was the period where I missed her Qwest material immensely. However, her voice still remained to sound very much like silk and satin; very smooth indeed Ms. Austin !

Finally, about a year ago, I was able to purchase Gettin' Away With Murder as a c.d. import ! Hallelujah, Praise Be ! It is now one of the most valued c.d.s in my collection (I hope I don't wear the c.d. out as well--I know you can't wear c.d.s out unless you scratch them or play frisbee with them)!

If you have never heard of Patti Austin (get out from underneath that rock) or are a fan, this album is a must. It is worth purchasing as an import only c.d. (not expensive at all) !

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real "Killer" of an Album, February 14, 2001

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gettin Away With Murder (Audio CD)

Patti Austin remains one of musicdom's most under appreciated talents. Far superior to contemporaries and successors, the divine Miss Austin has had a career spanning several decades but never achieving superstar status. That is due, in part, to the fickleness of the American public. Success is only as long as there are "hit" records. Patti Austin deserves better than that.

"Getting Away with Murder," like all of the artist's 80's releases is a mixture of sultry ballads, toe-tapping dance tracks, and jazzy gems. Although there was only one chart topper, "The Heat of Heat," a song used prominently to promote the soap "The Young & The Restless," there are several other outstanding entries on the disc. "Talkin' 'Bout My Baby," cowritten by Michael Bolton and Patrick Henderson, and the title cut are excellent showcases for Miss Austin's ability to do service to a fast number. The simple orchestration of "If I Believed" compliments Austin's performance grandly.

Austin's versatility is also highlighted in the slow and enigmatic "Summer is the Coldest Time of the Year," a magnificently tune penned by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis who also contributed "Heat.

Don't let this one get away!