Singles collections from postwar vocal artists aren't usually stocked with A-list material, since after the advent of the LP, the singles format increasingly became a venue for either stylistic experimentation or light novelties aimed at the charts.
Jo Stafford was an exception to the rule, however, not only because she was a consummate artist but also because she worked closely with her husband, arranger/conductor
Paul Weston, and exercised a large amount of quality control. The Columbia Singles Collection, Vol. 1, released by the family-founded Corinthian label (
Tim Weston, the son of
Paul and
Jo, produced the record), reissues 25 tracks from obscure singles releases recorded by
Stafford and
Weston during the '50s. (Her biggest hits of the era, including "You Belong to Me" and "Make Love to Me," obviously were released as singles, but don't appear here because they're widely available elsewhere.)
Stafford had matured greatly as a vocalist, after her success during the big-band era. Listening to her performance of the
Gershwin classic "Love Is Here to Stay," it's clear she retained the sweetness and warmth of her youth but exerted greater control over her voice. Many of the performances are
standards, and even the few novelties are imbued with an energy that speaks to the great care they took with her material -- the delightfully risqué yet slightly innocent "Indoor Sport" and the great-hearted "Big D" are among the best here, but also interesting are a sound-alike of "You Belong to Me" titled "I'll Be There," and
Stafford's brush with
rock & roll, a cover of the
Ray Charles standard (alternately titled "I Got a Sweetie"). ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
