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11 Nov 07 - 08:14 PM (#2191608) Subject: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: pdq America's most popular female singer during WWII joins her Brittish counterpart Vera Lynn in the 90+ club. Happy birthday, Jo Stafford. She came from Coalinga, a hard-bitten mining town in the dry foothills west of California's great San Joaquin Valley. Despite a poor background, she studied music theory and voice, becoming a true musician, not just a singer. She is one of the true Pop singers, seldom even suggesting Jazz, Blues or Country in her style. Her competition included Dinah Shore and (later) Patty Page, both of whom always had a Country edge to their style. Popular Music is more inclusive, usually incorporating parts of the more exclusive styles. Stafford has her own record label, Corinthian Records, which tries to promote Christian artists and family music. |
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11 Nov 07 - 08:38 PM (#2191617) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: maeve She's one of my heroines, with intelligence and compassion to match her splendid voice. Thanks for posting this! maeve |
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11 Nov 07 - 08:54 PM (#2191629) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: bobad Loadsa Jo available for your listening pleasure here. |
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11 Nov 07 - 09:08 PM (#2191636) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: Art Thieme Jo Stafford was my absolute favorite of the female pop singers of the 1940s and '50s and even the '60s -- at least until Joan Baez hit the scene. There was a nostalgic and wistful quality to her voice that still relaxes me unbelievably whenever I put on her music. When she was backed by the orchestra conducted by her husband, Paul Weston, it was truly magical. And she did a 78 rpm record album of folk songs that was simply sublime. This was later released on Capitol Records on a fine LP---but I can't find it on CD yet. Paul Weston did wondrous arrangements for his wife! Indeed, his all orchestra/big band albums of that era were extremely hip with great jazz musicians as personnel. He hired the best. Jo's version of "SHENANDOAH" and "He's Gone Away For To Stay A Little While" really transported me. I often lifted and re-set the phonograph needle just to hear those two songs over and over. And her Capitol LP of Scottish songs was pretty fine too. I knew that Paul Weston passed away a few years ago, but I'm glad to know that Ms Stafford continues on. Be sure to wish her my best salutations tomorrow when she attains the age of 90! So very many loved her "sound" and her music through the years. This old unabashed folk singer really enjoyed most everything she did in spite of my professed preference for trad folk music here in these threads. Jo, Happy Birthday! Art Thieme Peru, Illinois |
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11 Nov 07 - 09:55 PM (#2191654) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: John on the Sunset Coast You can hear an interview of Tim Weston, Stafford's son, and several of her recordings at www.johnpizzarelli.com. This is an archived show of the Radio Deluxe Show of Nov. 10. Note: the show is not solely about Jo Stafford, so you'll also have to enjoy the jazz songs and standards played on the program...not tough duty by any means. |
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12 Nov 07 - 03:03 AM (#2191740) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: Art Thieme John, Thanks for that! Art |
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12 Nov 07 - 05:58 AM (#2191796) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: Leadfingers Jo Stafford had (Apart from an excellent voice) a superb sense of humour - Her recordings as Darlene Edwards , with her husband on piano are Brilliant , and she was also Cinderella G Crump with Red Ingles band . |
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12 Nov 07 - 06:04 AM (#2191801) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: GUEST,Hootenanny I remember her as Cinderella G STUMP with the Unnatural Seven. Am I mistaken? Ok then "show us your muscles" Hoot |
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12 Nov 07 - 08:48 AM (#2191884) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: Leadfingers Which ever , she is a lovely singer !! |
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12 Nov 07 - 09:00 AM (#2191896) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: Bonnie Shaljean Coalinga???!!! I'm from the San Joaquin Valley and never knew that! (Joe, did you?) I've just seen this thread and am delighted I did. She was part of my childhood landscape because my mother played her records all the time around the house. But, apart from as a fine singer, I never knew anything about her. I'm so glad to learn of all the other admirable qualities she possesses, and most of all to learn that she is still alive. Happy birthday, Jo! (My dad - in Stockton - will be 90 in a few days' time, so happy birthday to him too.) Art, thanks for the input on those folksong recordings - I didn't know she'd done anything like that. Here's to her 100th... |
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12 Nov 07 - 09:32 AM (#2191917) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: maeve Hereis the link to Corinthian Records, mentioned by pdq above. Jo Stafford & Paul Weston: Biog. & recordings /Corinthian Records Maeve |
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12 Nov 07 - 12:43 PM (#2192034) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: autolycus Darlene Edwards !!! that's it thanks. Been looking for those records for a while without remembering the name. She and the others were the real deal as singers. I calll them popular music singers; pop appears with rock 'n' roll in my slicing of the salami. Happy birthday, Jo. Ivor |
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12 Nov 07 - 12:53 PM (#2192037) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: Bonnie Shaljean In that case you've gotta read the interview with Darlene & Jonathan on Maeve's Corinthian record link - |
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12 Nov 07 - 01:27 PM (#2192061) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: GUEST I still have some 78s of her duets with Frankie Laine----Pretty Eyed baby for one. Bill Hahn |
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12 Nov 07 - 06:49 PM (#2192305) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: GUEST,brigitte Dear Jo Stafford, Happy Birthday to one of the greats. I just saw and listened to you and Ella Fitzgerald singing a duet with the acommpaniment of Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton. Just incredible! The greatest two voices combined in perfect harmony. Thank you for bestowing your great musicianship on a grateful public. Many happy returns, Brigitte Gardiner |
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12 Nov 07 - 07:29 PM (#2192331) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: BanjoRay Beautiful singer - memories of listening to Jo singing "Shrimp boats are a-coming" on my parents old 78 player back in the forties. The quality of her voice still grabs me. What a musician. Happy birthday, Jo and many more! Ray |
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13 Nov 07 - 02:35 AM (#2192489) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: ard mhacha Bodad thanks for the link, I can only echo what Bonnie says, part of my childhood, Radio Luxemburg 208 meters was our only means back then of listening in to her show. A happy birthday to a great artist. |
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13 Nov 07 - 10:15 AM (#2192691) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: GUEST,Dale When you're talking about her comedic sense, don't forget "I'm My Own Grandma." Yes, she was a real treasure, no matter what she was singing. |
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13 Nov 07 - 10:16 AM (#2192694) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: GUEST,Dale And of course, I meant to say IS a real treasure. |
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13 Nov 07 - 11:36 AM (#2192743) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego I was a farm kid in the 1940's and '50's, growing up about 40 miles across the San Joaquin Valley from Coalinga, Jo Stafford's home town. Strangely, I wasn't aware she was a "local" until much later. In the 1960's, I had a chance to meet the late Gordon MacRae in L.A. He mentioned her as one of his very favorite singers, a "true original," as he put it. No one else ever sounded like her. For a lot of G.I.'s away from home during WWII, she WAS the voice of home. I grew up with the sound of her singing in the radio, along with Perry Como and others of that era. Thanks for all the memories, and for your musical and personal integrity and style. |
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13 Nov 07 - 11:48 AM (#2192750) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: autolycus Thanks Maeve and Bonnie. i loved the gag about Michaelangelo and about the 4/4 bar not being restricted to 4 beats. Brill. Ivor |
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13 Nov 07 - 03:30 PM (#2192927) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: fat B****rd HAPPY 90TH. Miss Stafford. Couldn't she sing a song in one key while the band played in another?. NO JOKES PLEASE. |
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13 Nov 07 - 03:32 PM (#2192931) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: GUEST,Doug-in England I have only become a fan recently,being born in the fifties,i was not too aware of jo until i listened to some of dads records. Fantastic voice and a great talent,Happy birthday Jo,i wish i had heard your songs earlier,guess i was born too late!! God bless,DOUG |
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18 Nov 07 - 06:08 AM (#2196568) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: ard mhacha In Bodad`s Link to the Jo Stafford Site listen to her singing the old folk song The Nightingale,excellent rendition. |
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18 Nov 07 - 01:09 PM (#2196846) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV) From: Stringsinger What a nice tribute to a great artist! My favorite was Red Rosy Bush. She knew a lot about folksinging. Frank |
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19 Nov 07 - 07:14 AM (#2197336) Subject: RE: Jo Stafford turns 90 (12 NOV 2007) From: ard mhacha Also Shenandoah, never hear it sung better. |