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Critic's Review
John Bush, All Music Guide
Fred Astaire has been anthologized many times and in many ways, befitting his status as a statesman of song -- if not vocal prowess. Columbia/Legacy fortunately found a different way to compile an Astaire collection with its 2004 disc The Essential Fred Astaire. Instead of a '30s collection with his commercial hits from the movies or a '50s collection charting his return to the studio for Verve, the compilers balanced material from several eras and sought out true movie recordings, many from his RKO classics of the mid-'30s. While not the equal -- for record fans, at least -- of The Cream of Fred Astaire (on Pearl Flapper), The Essential offers a much fuller portrait of Astaire's genius, including his duet with sister Adele on "Fascinating Rhythm," accompanied by George Gershwin on piano and more than six years before his movie debut; the film version of "Easter Parade" from 1948's As Thousands Cheer, a duet with Judy Garland; the title song to 1956's Funny Face with a few steps from Astaire; or "Nice Work if You Can Get It," from 1937's A Damsel in Distress, which rates a full tap solo.
