Jo Stafford
holds a unique position in popular music circles. While not as renowned as
Peggy Lee
, square as
Doris Day
or
Dinah Shore
, sexy as
June Christy
, or jazz-oriented as
Anita O'Day
, the classy
Stafford
managed to hold her own during a period when the music business was undergoing major changes, especially for female singers. Of the 25 selections included here, many are first-rate, and showcase
's clear, clean, concise phrasing quite well. Among the most recognizable standards are
"Long Ago (And Far Away),"
"Teach Me Tonight,"
"Day by Day,"
"Hey Good Lookin',"
"Early Autumn,"
"There's No You,"
and the novelty tune
"Feudin' and Fightin'."
Also included are two duets with
Gordon MacRae
. If you have no
recordings and appreciate singers of American popular songs, this one would be a very good choice. ~ Michael G. Nastos