Customer Reviews

The Columbia Hits Collection

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Jo Stafford had one of the best voices (deep, warm and sexy) in the history of popular music, and used it to great effect on a wide variety of songs covering many different genres. It's not difficult to understand why she was regarded as America's most versatile singer.

This collection of Jo's fifties music contains twenty nine of her hits from her time with Columbia. There is no room on one CD for any more, although there were a few more (and that's not counting the hits - about sixty of them including duets - that Jo had on Capitol). All the essential Columbia hits are here.

Jo's biggest hits from this period (all top ten or better) were You belong to me (number one, sold almost two million copies), Make love to me (also a number one), Shrimp boats, Jambalaya, Keep it a secret, Hambone, Tennessee waltz, If, Hey good lookin' and Ay round the corner.

Also worthy of mention is Suddenly there's a valley, which didn't quite make the top ten (it stalled at thirteen). Gogi Grant had the big hit with it, but both versions were released in Britain, where they had to compete with Petula's British cover. Petula won that contest, but Jo's version got to number twelve, easily beating Gogi. All of which doesn't prove anything, except that all three versions are wonderful, and I love them all.

Jo's last major hit, also included here, was Wind in the willow, which peaked at number 12 in 1957.

This compilation, while not showing the full range of Jo's repertoire, does contain a lot of different types of song and gives you a great sampling of her music.

If this is your first Jo Stafford collection, your next step (assuming you enjoy this, which I'm sure you will) is a collection of her Capitol recordings, of which there are several to choose from.

When pop vocalist Jo Stafford and Weston moved over to Columbia Records in 1950, their proclivity for novelty tunes far outpaced the straight romantic material. Country covers were particularly big, as seen in several early '50s Hank Williams songs, done cornball pop style, and remakes of hits by Lefty Frizzell and Pee Wee King. The arrangements are generally not as classy or considered as the Capitol material -- Sinatra also suffered suffered mightily under the Columbia system around the same time -- but there are still great moments here. Sometimes it's just fun to hear the goofy techniques they tried in the studio; on other songs they would let Stafford loose on a legitimate ballad, and she always sparkled like a diamond. Overall, this 29-song sampler of her Columbia years is pretty sweet.

Columbia Hits Collection gives is so many of Jo Stafford's wonderful hit songs from her recording years at Columbia Records. Jo's voice is in excellent form throughout this album; and the sound quality is really rather good. The artwork is tastefully done as well.

The CD starts with Jo Stafford singing her heart out on the classic love song "You Belong To Me." The percussion enhances the natural beauty of this number and Jo never misses a beat! "Keep It A Secret" also works very well; Jo Stafford sings this very well and I can even detect her ability to belt out a tune like few others ever could! This is very impressive. "If" is another lovely number; this love ballad gets a very sensitive treatment from Jo Stafford and I'm convinced that Jo's rendition is THE definitive rendition of this classic love ballad.

"Tennessee Waltz" is a number I usually associate with Patti Page; but when Jo Stafford sings this it truly shines just as if I never heard it before! Jo sings this with panache and the fine musical arrangement for "Tennessee Waltz" complements Jo's singing perfectly. "In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening" also sounds perfect; this duet is very pretty and it all holds its own very well. "It's Almost Tomorrow" certainly gets a royal treatment from Jo Stafford as she delivers this torch song with style and grace.

"Somebody" features Jo Stafford squarely in the spotlight--and that's OK by me! The strings enhance the beauty of this number and Jo gives this a very sensitive treatment. Great! "A Fool Such As I (Now and Then There's)" has some excellent horn work and Jo sings this tune without a flaw. I always thought this was an Elvis Presley song but apparently this song existed before Elvis Presley recorded it. Jo's romantic version gets a slower than normal tempo and it works just great.

"Early Autumn" is a very pretty melody that I enjoy hearing when Jo Stafford sings it; and listen also for "With A Little Bit Of Luck" which was also in the show My Fair Lady. "With a Little Bit Of Luck" has a rousing rendition by Jo Stafford and a male chorus to bolster her performance; and it's a very fine tune. "Kissin' Bug Boogie" is a very cute number even if there is some surface noise--it's a good number. The CD ends very well with Jo Stafford performing "Teach Me Tonight;" this timeless love song has a fresh flavor to it when Jo sings it; "Teach Me Tonight" is a most romantic tune and it leaves you wanting more.

Don't be surprised if after the CD finishes playing you almost instinctively reach for the "play" button on your CD player to listen to this album all over again! Jo Stafford amply proves her vocal prowess on this CD and this is also a great place to start for newcomers to Jo's artistry. It's an excellent CD for fans of classic pop vocals, too.

After being part of numerous hits for the Tommy Dorsey orchestra, both as a solo singer and as part of The Pied Pipers, Jo went solo in 1944 with Capitol and, to 1950, gave that label over 50 hit singles, including 10 memorable duets with Gordon MacRae. She was even part of Red Ingle & His Natural Seven's 1947 # 1 Temptation [Tim-Tayshun], billed as Cinderella G. Stump.

Late in 1950 she switched to Columbia, along with husband and orchestra leader Paul Weston, where, to 1957, she added another 29 hit singles, including six duets with Frankie Laine, and as reviewer Peter Harris has pointed out, they are ALL here and beautifully remastered.

In the fold-out insert you get four pages of background notes by Gene Lees, written in July 2001, a partial discography of the contents [chart but no label details], and several nice photographs of Jo, including a rare shot with sisters Christine and Pauline, one each with Laine and MacRae, and another with husband Paul.

Just a masterful effort by Corinthian Records of Beverly Hills and one which comes most highly recommended.

The old hits were the best. This is a collection of Jo Staford's melodius best.

Very early in her career Jo Stafford was described by orchestra leader and husband Paul Weston as: "A lady singer who is capable of singing all styles of music." He was right. Jo is as versatile as they come. Jo really masters every musical direction. 'The Columbia Hits Collection' is a CD that will convince everybody who might doubt that. If you remember Jo Stafford from the time way back in the fifties, and you don't own the tracks on this album, then I strongly suggest to buy it. It can truly be a magnificent contribution to your home discothèque.

On old recordings, the sound quality is really important to me. This one is right up there at the top. No disappointments... Just great!

This is such a wonderful CD - we wanted to hear some of the songs Jo Stafford had in the 50's when we were dating. She has a great voice and almost all the songs on this CD were fabulous!

Excellent CD, Jo Stafford always had perfect pitch in all of her songs. It is great to hear her wonderful voice again and hear so many of her big hits.

It's hard to find a good selection of oldies, but I had plenty to choose from. I'm happy with the CD.