Jo Stafford

[Markxxx]

Does anyone know who she is....

If so let me know.

[Xgemina]

This Jo Stafford?
http://www.parabrisas.com/d_staffordj.html

A female singer during WWII right?

------------------
"Nuts!"
Gen A.C. McAuliffe
"The general's nuts."
unknown 101st AB grunt

[Markxxx]

I can't understand how someone so important and SO talented can be so unknown today. She sold more records than any female during the 40's. She was the first capital artist to sell 25,000,000 records.

It's a shame more people don't give her old records a listen.

[Born2Read]

If you like Jo Stafford, you will love her alter ego Darlene Edwards. This was Jo and her husband Paul Weston's parody of a slightly lousy lounge singer. The singing is hilariously off-key, the tempos change with abandon and they are just about the funniest albums I own. They made 5 albums I know of, each parodying a popular style of the time. The best is "Sing along with Jonathan and Darlene" ala Mitch Miller. If you see one of these records, grab them. It takes great skill to sing this badly.

[dougie_monty]

Dr. Demento has played a number of titles by "Jonathan & Darlene Edwards"--Weston and Stafford's alias for their comedy albums.
In the 70s. L.A. DJ Dick Whittinghill played a tape Weston sent him--Jonathan & Darlene's version of "I am Woman." I wrote to Weston, who replied that "I am Woman" was never released commercially, which is a shame--because I never heard it again. I did hear their version of "Stayin' Alive."

[Born2Read]

"I am Woman" is availible on the CD Jonathan and Darlene's Greatest Hits (vol. 1, I think). It's out on the Corinthian label and it also includes "Stayin' Alive". I think Darlene does the best version of "I am Woman" ever recorded. You can get the CD through Amazon.com.

[Markxxx]

I have both I Am Woman and Staying Alive on the Jo Stafford Portrait collection. Truly funny. She easily bests Bill Murray for his lounge act.

[BunnyGirl]

I love singers from the 40's and 50's! I've got one of Rosemary Clooney's CD and would like to get more. I'm also a big fan of the Andrews Sisters. Thanks for the info on Jo Stafford. I'll have to make her my next BMG purchase!

[dougie_monty]

Hey, thanks, Born2Read!! I have been hunting for this title for years!!!!
Now could you please let me know where I can find Paul Petersen and Shelley Fabares' SECOND "Teenage Triangle" album? Thanks very much.

[Markxxx]

Try the auctions at Ebay
http://www.ebay.com

You would be surprised at how many out of print CD's by old singers and one hit wonders you can find.

[dougie_monty]

Thanks to you too, Markxxx.

[dougie_monty]

A footnote to the mention of Teenage Triangle :
It turns out that the version of "Kids/Folks" I heard in 1961 was not the one on that album. I still don't know who did the one Dick Whttinghill played on KMPC in 1961, despite the efforts of Dr. Demento, who has answered some real tough questions on hard-to-find records.
If any of the Teeming Millions can identify the artist(s) of the missing version, I'd appreciate it.

[dougie_monty]

I went to Wenzel's Music Town in Lakewood, CA. They ordered the Jonathan & Darlene Edwards CD for me and I got it a week later. It cost about $14 and was worth the price and the wait.

[dougie_monty]

A footnote to the mention of Teenage Triangle: It turns out that the version of "Kids/Folks" I heard in 1961 was not the one on that album. I still don't know who did the one Dick Whttinghill played on KMPC in 1961, despite the efforts of Dr. Demento, who has answered some real tough questions on hard-to-find records. If any of the Teeming Millions can identify the artist(s) of the missing version, I'd appreciate it.

This version still hasn't turned up. How would I contact the owners of the music of Byue Bye Birdie, so I could identify the asrtists whose recording of "KIds" I heard in 1961?

[casdave]

Jo Stafford was known as "Little Miss Pitchpot" because she could hit every note exactly.

Most popular singers slide slightly into the correct note, not Jo.

Singing off key as in the way she did the "Young Frankenstein" signature tune is actually very difficult and requires a great deal of discipline and ability.

[Markxxx]

I just listened to her on the beach today. What is she doing today?

I read somewhere she said the reason she doesn't sing anymore is the same reason Betty Gable doesn't were swimsuits. When you get old you don't have the stuff anymore.

It's a shame she is unknown today as her talent is immense.