Customer Reviews

Big Band Sound

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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 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!

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.

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.

The "Big Band" Sound has several numbers made completely unforgettable by Jo Stafford. These tunes all shine; Jo sings these very well. She really gives each song her all and it works. The quality of the sound on this CD is excellent; and the artwork reflects good judgment.

"Love For Sale" never sounded better than when Jo Stafford sings it here; and that big band arrangement sounds just so good! The brass work wonders for this tune and Jo never skips a beat even as she tinkers a bit with the tempo and keys to put her own stamp on this classic ballad. Great! "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" is very romantic in its own way; and again we hear that brass sounding so well. Jo delivers this as effortlessly as if it were mere breathing--but her talent was the thing that always carried her through. In addition, "Taking A Chance On Love" has a rich, fresh texture to it when Jo delivers it; the overall arrangement is very positive and energetic. I love it! Jo's voice is as clear as a bell, too.

"Early Autumn" has a lovely arrangement for the piano--how elegant! "Speak Low" boasts a Latin touch that infuses it with a great deal of energy; Jo sings this as if she were never going to sing it again--this is all THAT good. "Candy" is very easy on the ear; this classic love song amazes me in Jo's capable hands and "Candy" is definitely a major highlight of this album. "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home" has Jo swinging gently to make this incredible and very special; again that big band music fits in perfectly with her sublime vocalizing. Terrific!

"Old Devil Moon" gets the royal treatment from Jo and the musicians; and "Teach Me Tonight" was always one of my very favorite classic pop vocals. I first heard "Teach Me Tonight" sung by the immortal Dinah Washington; but I'm sure Dinah would be proud of Jo's excellent rendition! Jo's excellent diction bolsters her singing all the more; and listen for an outstanding, sensitive interpretation of "The Night We Called It A Day." "The Night We Called It A Day" is quite a tune and you'll love it if you haven't heard this one before.

"The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else)" is classy, to say the least; those backup singers harmonize to perfection. Jo didn't need the backup but wow, how they sure sound good! This is another dynamic tune I really like. Of course, "Anything Goes" sparkles when Jo Stafford does it; "Anything Goes" has a stunning melody and Jo does a fine job with this number. "What'cha Know Joe?" again pairs Jo with a backup chorus for a number that I absolutely love; and the CD ends very nicely with Jo Stafford performing "Tomorrow Mountain."

Jo Stafford always ranks high in my book; and I cherish this CD. This is wonderful for Jo's fans; and people who like classic pop vocals with that big band flavor will not be disappointed.

I HAVE MANY JO STAFFORD CDS AND THIS HAS TO BE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL AS FAR AS HER OTHER CDS GO. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS DIDN'T WORK OUT. SOMEIMES IT HARD TO COME UP WITH THE RIGHT MIX.