Steppin Out

Tony Bennett | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 1993)
• Original Release Date: October 5, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029C2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MiniDisc  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,015 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is the album that transformed Tony Bennett from crooner to hipster, a run that culminated in his 1994 MTV appearance. Steppin' Out is Bennett's tribute to Fred Astaire, who introduced as many American standards as anyone due to his relationships with such songwriters as Berlin, Porter, Kern, and the Gershwins. While Bennett avoids some obvious choices ("Night and Day" and "A Foggy Day" had been covered in his earlier Sinatra tribute), he picks a number of classics from Astaire's 1930s heyday as well as some songs from his MGM years, including the gem of the album, "You're All the World to Me." Bennett is ably assisted, as always, by the Ralph Sharon Trio. Great singer, great songs, great album. --David Horiuchi

Product Description

This 18-track collection pays tribute to tunes by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Jerome Kern. Includes Steppin' Out with My Baby; Top Hat, White Tie and Tails; All Of You; Nice Work if You Can Get It; He Loves and She Loves; A Shine on Your Shoes , and much more! --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Master of style!, June 7, 2001

By 

Dennis Brislen (Omaha, Ne USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Steppin Out (Audio CD)

There is something about the aging of the great ones. As they lose a little in vocal power and range, they seem to be able to make up for it with superior interpretation and emotion. Tony Bennett (and Nat Cole, Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney and a few others), proves the point in this tribute to Fred Astaire. Ironically Astaire, who never had vocal power or range, always relied on interpretation to sell his songs. That he did so successfully, is attested by the fact that he was considered by Ira Gershwin and Irving Berlin to be the one vocalist they trusted to sing their songs exactly as they were written.

Bennett may struggle here and there to reach a note, but he can be forgiven because he sells each song with mastery of style and meaning. His version of WHO CARES is unique and makes what most singers use as an uptempo swinger into a sweet near ballad. HE LOVES SHE LOVES is sung at almost a whisper and Bennett wrings more emotion from the song than I've heard from any other vocalist. Indeed, he performs the Gershwin and Berlin numbers wonderfully. No easy task. Although they are for the most part familiar, they are difficult to sing as many a kareoke performer has learned to his or her regret.

This one is a keeper! It belongs in every pop music lovers collection, right alongside his previous work, Sinatra tribute PERFECTLY FRANK.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great singer's homage to a great dancer--A KEEPER!!!!!!!!!, August 21, 2002

By 

Neal C. Reynolds (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Steppin Out (Audio CD)

What a combination! A great singer of the '50's through today paying tribute to a great dancer of the 30's and 40's, with songs from the 20's through the 40's.

When he first auditioned, the notes on Fred Astaire's performance read "Can't act; can't sing; dances a little." He went on to be one of the two great male dancers in the movies of the 30's and 40's.

He introduced the great songs on this album--songs by the likes of the Gershwins, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin--to the movie going public, and Tony Bennett captures both the charm of these songs and the Astaire appeal in his delivery. Outstanding are "Top Hat, White Tie And Tails", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Dancing In The Dark", "Nice Work If You Can Get It", "Shall We Dance", and "That's Entertainment".

If you have appreciation for the eras that this music represents, you'll find this a truly great album.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tony Bennett raises the bar for this elegant tribute to Fred Astaire--and he delivers BIG !!!, May 31, 2008

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Steppin Out (Audio CD)

Steppin' Out is indeed a fine tribute to Fred Astaire by Tony Bennett. Tony sings these ballads with sensitivity; and that enhances the songs on this album. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.

"Steppin' Out With My Baby" has an excellent jazzy musical arrangement and Tony sounds better than ever! Tony aces this easily with his fine vocal talents; and you can just grasp that image of Fred Astaire dancing so elegantly as you hear this song. The arrangement for the piano is especially nice; and The Ralph Sharon Trio enhances the ballad even further--great! "Who Cares?" features Tony Bennett front and center as he sing this wistful ballad; and this sounds like classic music to me--it's excellent for lounge music as well. In addition, "They Can't Take That Away From Me" is easily a major highlight of this entire album; Tony delivers this with panache and Fred Astaire would certainly have felt very honored! Tony sings "They Can't Take That Away From Me" without a single superfluous note--and that's very impressive.

"Shine On Your Shoes" is a bouncy little tune you're bound to enjoy; Fred sang this brilliantly and Tony Bennett pays a great tribute to this classic song as he sings this flawlessly. "He Loves And She Loves" is yet another wonderful number on this CD; and when Tony goes into the main lyrics of the song this number really takes flight! "He Loves And She Loves" gets a very tender interpretation by Tony and the musicians and it all works very well. There's also "They All Laughed;" this triumphant tune really shines bright and I love it!

"All Of You" is a marvelous, classic love song that could never be forgotten; and I always smile whenever I hear this beautiful ballad. "Nice Work If You Can Get It" gets the royal treatment from Tony Bennett and The Ralph Sharon Trio; and I really like "Nice Work If You Can Get It." Similarly, "It Only Happens When I Dance With You" is a gorgeous love song that will touch you with its beauty and its message of true love for another--how wonderful!

There's even a superb medley of "You're Easy To Dance With/ Change Partners/ Cheek to Cheek;" and this is another major highlight of this album. Tony handles complicated tempo and key changes like the pro he was and still remains; and "That's Entertainment" is a number I could never tire of hearing--great number! The CD ends strong with Tony Bennett performing "By Myself;" this last song is a very sensitive number that Tony delivers with great feeling and "By Myself" also leaves you wanting more.

Tony Bennett is a living legend and he's practically a part of Americana--he's that big an artist. I highly recommend this CD for his fans; and people who enjoyed the songs from all those Fred Astaire movies will cherish this CD for quite some while to come.