Some of Jo's best available for the first time on cd
Lorenz Maycher | Easton, PA | 01/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jo Stafford's recording of "Early Autumn", the "B" side of her hit "Jambalaya" on the original 78 r.p.m., was the first song I ever heard sung by this great artist. The song's range lays right in the heart of her voice, which is at its richest, and her phrasing and tuning are sheer perfection (as any fan knows, her phrasing and tuning are always perfect). This recording made me a Jo Stafford fan for life (even before hearing any of her many other wonderful recordings) and I still can never listen to it just once. Now Corinthian has made it available for the first time on cd, along with some of her best "big band" recordings from the 1950's, in some instances recreating in stereo some of her earlier hits with Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, the Pied Pipers, and Johnny Mercer."
Jo never sounded so wonderful...
Lorenz Maycher | 10/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jo Stafford is backed here by Paul Weston's(her hubby)swingin' orchestra, Jo sounds thrilled and delighted to be backed by a big band(it's so nice to hear her without corny backgound singers) arranged and conducted superbly by Paul Weston(former Glenn Miller & Dinah Shore arranger). Highlights are a the awesome "Old Devil Moon" which is given difinitive treatment as well as a sprkling "Love For Sale." The only Stafford LP that's better then this is "Jo+Jazz"(she recorded with Ben Webster) however this is a strong set and very jazz oriented. Recomennded highly!"
Great album, very jazzy...
Lorenz Maycher | 09/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of Stafford's jazziest sets(With the acception of the materpiece Jo+Jazz)is very good. Highlights include Love For Sale and Old Devil Moon. Spectacular. Recommended to any jazz vocal lover."
Guaranteed to make a Jo Stafford fan out of you
Lorenz Maycher | 01/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jo Stafford takes pop standards, mixes the classic "Big Band" sound with a naughty jazz sound and brings these standards to a whole new level in this collection. The major highlight of this CD is the wonderfully bawdy rendition of "Love For Sale". Miss Stafford's voice plays well against the solid arrangement. Other noteworthy highlights are "The One I Love" and "Whatcha Know Joe?", both done in a snazzy, jazzy, uptempo style. The Tommy Dorsey/Pied Pipers classic "Candy" is included, with a great arrangement that will have you imagining that it's the 1940's all over again. A very smooth version of the DeCastro Sisters song "Teach Me Tonight" adds to the splendid mix. This CD is guaranteed to bring a whole new generation of Jo Stafford fans. The perfect blending of Miss Stafford's voice with the carefully crafted arrangements is an experience not to be missed. You don't have to be born pre-WWII to enjoy this - I was born WELL AFTER the end of the war, and this has become one of my favorite all-time CDs."