Search - Jo Stafford :: The Columbia Hits Collection

Start your Jo Stafford collection here

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 07/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Fine sampler of Jo Stafford moving into the 1950s

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 03/17/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Jo Stafford sold these songs without even trying--and that's

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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.

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