Personnel: Jo Stafford (vocals); Jo Stafford; Harry "Hy" White (guitar); Harry Schuman (reeds); Heine Beau, Boomy Richard (tenor saxophone); Billy Butterfield (trumpet); Henry "Hank" D'Amico (cornet); Lou McGarity (trombone); Henry "Billy" Rowland, Henry "Bill" "Billy" Rowland, Carl Fischer Orchestra, George Greeley, Carl Fischer (piano); Nick Fatool (drums); Dave Barbour (guitar); Fred Stulce (reeds, saxophone); Babe Russin (saxophone); Herbie Haymer, Ziggy Elman (trumpet); Nat King Cole (piano); George Wettling (drums); Paul Weston's Mountain Boys, Bill Loose And His Orchestra, Dave Lambert, Carl Cotner & His Orchestra, Harold Mooney & His Orchestra, Norman Luboff Choir, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mercer, Paul Weston & His Orchestra, Red Ingle & the Natural Seven, Art Van Damme Quintet, Sy Oliver, The Starlighters, Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, Gordon MacRae.
Recording information: 1939-1955.
Arranger: Paul Weston.
Perhaps this whopping four-CD, 108-track collection should be titled "Her Greatest Hits, And More." Jo Stafford, a premier jazz-pop singer of the late '30s onward, had a great voice, substantial musicianship behind her, an undeniable sex appeal, and a seemingly limitless repertoire, if you judge by what's on this compilation. Each CD is split into thematic or chronological segments. CD one -- "Pied Pipers, Tommy Dorsey, Early Recordings" is her entry point as a big band "chick" singer including seminal tunes "In a Little Spanish Town," "Yes Indeed," and "Embraceable You." CD two, consisting of "V Discs, Airchecks, Solos, Collaborations" may be the least interesting, but features familiar tunes as "Haunted Heart" and "The Gentleman Is a Dope." Her actual "greatest hits" are on CD three, while CD four is a mix of obscurities and jazz standards wrapped in the caveat "Pops, Jazz, Standards, Showtime." Her comedic work as the faux diva Darlene Edwards is not included, but that's OK, as fans of Stafford should salivate for the opportunity to buy this comprehensive overview of her career, lovingly issued by the reliable JSP label. ~ Michael G. Nastos
