Search - Jo Stafford :: Love, Mystery and Adventure

Some hits and a lot of rarities

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 04/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though this compilation of Jo's Columbia recordings from the period 1950 to 1955 is primarily intended to explore some of her less famous recordings, it includes a sprinkling of hits too. The featured hits include Hey good lookin' (with Frankie Laine), You belong to me, Fool such as I, Just another polka, Make love to me, Indiscretion, Teach me tonight and Suddenly there's a valley. All of these hits appeared on Columbia hits collection except for Indiscretion, so perhaps that counts as a rarity anyway, especially as it was only a very minor hit. The liner notes claim that Love mystery and adventure (the title track to this compilation) was a 1951 hit for Jo, but it doesn't show in the American Billboard listings for Jo or anybody else. Perhaps it was a hit in a different chart.



Some of the rarities are actually covers of famous songs. You've probably heard these songs by other artists, but it is much less likely that you have heard Jo's versions. Among these songs are September in the rain, My romance, Dancing in the dark, I'm always chasing rainbows, If I were a bell, St Louis blues, I only have eyes for you and It`s almost tomorrow, but you'll recognize other titles too. Jo liked recording Broadway songs and one such song featured here (All the things you are, which was originally an American number one hit for Tommy Dorsey in 1940) was among Jo's favorite songs. Jo also liked to record gospel song and several are featured here including Peace in the valley and Beautiful isle of somewhere.



Although this collection would work well as a starting point for a collection of Jo's music, because it showcases her range of material and contains plenty of classic songs, it is really for Jo's fans who already have the big hits of the period, several of which are deliberately omitted from this compilation. As an addition to an existing collection of Jo's Columbia music, this is outstanding."

A LADY sings... all kinds!

Marc -A Comtois | Brampton, ON Canada | 07/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This memory of mine is wonderful. It forgets everything. I bring that up because I seem to recall that this LADY, once upon a time, released an album called JUST JO. If JO were the only singer on the planet, is there really any more we could ask for? Nah! I knew you would agree.

Great 2CD set! You didn't buy it? Your loss, Pal (Pal-ette???)"