Born in 1917, her schooldays were spent at Long Beach. She undertook classical music training, hoping for a career in opera. The Depression intervened. Three days after leaving high school, she joined her sisters to form the Stafford Sisters Trio. They worked first on radio, graduating to singing 'off camera' vocals for movie musicals, backing stars like Fred Astaire and Alice Faye. When a sister married, the trio disbanded. With two male singing groups 'The Four Esquires' and 'The Three Rhythm Kings', they formed an octet - The Pied Pipers. Their main work was on radio commercials. They were 'discovered' by Eli Oberman, who offered them a one-disc deal. Those historic sides, dating from 1939, are featured here, as are two 'Pipers' RCA recordings made the same year. Success was short. In 1939 they lost their radio show and broke up. Reformed as a quartet, they joined Tommy Dorsey. Their first Dorsey recordings were in February 1940, and one of that day's titles - What Can I Say (After I've Said I'm Sorry) is included here, as is Jo's first solo hit For You. During WW2, Jo's voice represented a link with home - her voice was broadcast on Armed Forces Radio and recorded on forces-only 'V' Discs. Touring with the band, Jo and the Pipers won an army of fans - but it was not to last. The Pipers were the object of one of Dorsey's tantrums and they walked out. Capitol Records signed them. Jo's first Capitol release, Old Acquaintance, entered the charts, but it was two movie-related hits - Long Ago (and Far Away) and The Trolley Song that made her a star. Success prevailed during the late 1940s and the early 1950s. Then came Rock 'n' Roll. Hit Parade success began to pass her by, but Jo carried on. In 1961 she moved to London, to film a high budget, thirteen-week TV series to feature many of the era's top artists. It was distributed worldwide. On her return to the States Jo recorded with a series of labels, but her career slowly ran down. It was a decent run.
N**Y
Just the Best
I have read the other reviews very care fully, and therefore my comments are as follows.Without doubt Jo Stafford was the very best at all of her interpretations. Other singers did not have her wonderful control and expression.To the lady who gave this collection 1 star, just because this version of "Blue Moon" did not have the Pied Pipers as an accompanists, itis available but on another 4 CD set released I think in 2011. To give this collection 1 star is ridiculous, just because 1 song is not what you expected.So, let me say this is a superb set, very well restored. To those who didn't like the recorded quality, go out and buy some better audio equipment,yours is obviously deficient some where. Nigel
E**E
This must be where my father learned the songs he sang to us when we were children.
This CD has many old and familiar songs. I first heard them sung by my father, long before I had heard of Jo Stafford. The lyrics of those old songs are so well crafted. I especially like “I’ll Be Seeing You”. The music brings back many wonderful memories.
J**
A good all around collection!
This is a very nice collection starting from the late 1930's through the 1950's. All tracks presented are clean and clear, and what's nice are the rare and hard to find "V-Discs". Her music and the sounds of that era were way before my time, but I have a love for GOOD music and this Jo Stafford collection is good music. Considering the age of the recordings they cleaned them up nicely.
K**R
comprehensive Jo Stafford recording
There are some very dated songs that would be considered racist today. My favorite song, Haunted Heart, is included and why I bought the collection. Listeners can hear the very American song style of the late '30's and the war years. Jo Stafford fans will be pleased with this CD collection.
T**K
Joy from Jo
Jo Stafford's clear, clean, perfect-pitch voice has entertained generations now, and rolls on with this excellent collection summarizing the major recorded performances of her career. During WWII an American officer in the heart of the Pacific battle zone wrote to Stafford telling her that her recordings were the only thing that kept him calm, retained his focus, and reminded him that there was a world back there worth fighting for. Superb voice, superb pitch, superb American songstress--you'll value this economical but extensive collection of her top recordings!
R**S
Three Stars
Not loving some of the songs especially on the 4th cd. Missing a couple of my favorites
W**T
Comprehensive Collection!
This was the only collection I could find that includes every classic by Jo Stafford. I didn't want a greatest hits collection that left out "Autumn In New York" or other romantic ballads like "No Other Love", "Make Love to Me", "Moonlight In Vermont" and "Wouldn't It Be Lovely". Each disc represents an era in Jo's career and follows it chronologically with the hits of that time. It's a comprehensive collection of songs sung by the smoothest female voice I've ever heard.
S**Y
Arrived broken Inside
This was bought for a birthday gift. It was sent with flimsy packaging which raised a red flag but the outer case appeared in good condition, however because it was a gift I couldn't take off the plastic to check inside. Fast forward to the birthday and all the CDs were free floating, Disc A has a HUGE diagonal crack on the front AND the hinge broke. Super embarrassing and disappointing to give as a gift but thankfully the recipient loved just having the music. I am decidedly NOT happy though. For something so delicate I would expect better protection like padding for a safer delivery. Unfortunately the window for returns/refunds closed just before today (the birthday) so I paid for a broken gift. Yay. Would not recommend.
C**N
This is the best collection of Jo Stafford in terms of value and ...
This is the best collection of Jo Stafford in terms of value and audio quality ever assembled on cd....no brainier...buy it!
F**Z
Muy mal
Se me comunico que se habia extraviado el envio y que no se me enviaba, no buscando otra alternativa. Muy mal, he quedado muy descontento y decpcionado, porque debian haberme comunicado que por un extravio de la saca de correos se retrasaria el envio y haber buscado el disco para mandarmelo con posterioridad, lo que me da a pie a pensar que me han engañado.. MUY DESCONTENTO.
J**E
A wonderful collection of songs!
This is the second set of these CDs I have purchased. Somehow, disc 1 of the first set has gone missing and I really want the whole set. I love Jo Stafford's singing...something in it really resonates with my soul. I remember my parents singing "Make Love to Me" to each other, and hearing it on the radio when I was a girl and when I heard that song on my computer when I was reviewing the disc contents, I just HAD to buy the set. I have most everything that she recorded, and especially enjoy listening to the CDs when on long car trips.I have been buying Jo Stafford Cd's for about 10 years. Her voice is so mellow, and her musicality incredible. I love her duets with Gordon MacRae. It is nice to understand the words that are being sung. (a far cry from modern music!) Thanks so Much!
J**T
Très bon disque
Bonne chanteuse des années 40 avec tous ces succès,j'ai particulierement aimé "you belong to me" et"suddenly there's a valley".
M**S
One of the finest voices ever
A huge range of styles in this set - big-band swing, novelty country & western, smokey jazz, religious and pop. Even the styles you don't care for showcase a voice with power, control, and precision. Unlike much of today's breathy, reedy, autotuned, over-produced Top 40, Jo Stafford's sound needs to be preserved and held up as an example to aspiring singers. More than your money's worth out of this 4 disc set.
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