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The Christmas Song4. Winter Weather3. Baby, It's Cold Outside2. It Happened In Sun ValleySide B1. Other standouts are "Moonlight In Vermont", "It Happened In Sun Valley" & the truly brilliant "By The Fireside." (Jo's version of "June In January" is very nice, but can't compare to the superb version by Julie London on her "Calendar Girl" album, also released in 1956).This CD contains all of the tracks found on both of those Columbia LPs, however the track order has been--according to the Weston website--"re-sequenced to provide an entirely new listening experience." The original LP track listings are as follows:"Happy Holiday"Side A1. June In January5. Jo Stafford's voice was never better than at this point in her career."Happy Holiday" is a respectable set of Christmas/winter songs, done originally as a "suite" where each song segues into the next without the usual silence between tracks. The Whiffenpoof Song6.
O Little Town Of Bethlehem5. Seriously. Two great Jo Stafford albums done with her husband Paul Weston and released by Columbia; "Happy Holiday" in 1955 & "Ski Trails" in 1956. Let It Snow.*5. Silent Night, Holy Night6.
Specifically, the version of "The Whiffenpoof Song" performed a cappella by Jo Stafford & The Norman Luboff choir is sure to give you chills. I Wonder As I Wander4. Toyland6. The sound is excellent, and the Weston website verifies that the digital remastering was done using the original studio master tapes.
Winter Song6. Let It Snow.*4. Jingle Bells/Winter Wonderland*4. Happy Holiday (Reprise)"Ski Trails"Side A1. By The Fireside5.
Jingle Bells/Winter Wonderland*2. The Nearness Of You3. Sleigh Ride* Note: "Let It Snow." & "Jingle Bells/Winter Wonderland" appear on both albums, which is why this CD contains only 22 tracks instead of 24 (The versions of these two songs are identical).I've posted the original Columbia LP cover art for both albums in the photo section. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm2. This CD does not preserve that mix, so, for example, the chiming bells that connect "The Christmas Song" & "Let It Snow" are missing."Ski Trails" is a far superior album (minus the two recycled tracks from "Happy Holiday"), and in my opinion, the real reason to get this CD.
Moonlight In Vermont3. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas3. Happy Holiday2. March Of The ToysSide B1.
A very upbeat and cheerful version where JO STAFFORD shares duets with a male singer (not sure of his name) and the result is 'perfect' for that great and nostalgic, cheerful, christmas sound of years ago.If you want that old christmas sound, this is a perfect cd to get, I believe. LET IT SNOW., O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, SILENT NIGHT, among all others. My favorite song on the cd, though, is SLEIGH RIDE, which is one of my favorite versions ever recorded. What can I say that the other reviewers haven't. Very recommended. It will remind you of the old christmas albums of PERRY COMO, BING CROSBY, and FRANK SINATRA.Wonderful songs such as HAPPY HOLIDAY (both versions, short, but beautiful), TOYLAND, THE CHRISTMAS SONG, 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, WINTER WEATHER, a medley of JINGLE BELLS/WINTER WONDERLAND, LET IT SNOW. Simply, if you like the old christmas 'crooner' sounds of yesteryear, specifically the 1950's, then you'll probably love this christmas cd that combines two albums, one of christmas and the other of winter (but even the winter one will come across as christmasy, too, since so many of our beloved christmas songs are winter themed).This cd gives you the old sounds of christmas as it was heard back in the 1950's, when these two albums were recorded, with JO STAFFORD'S voice being one of the best of that decade, and the backing orchestra and chorus also providing the perfect music and chorale sounds of those wonderful years way back then. LET IT SNOW.
Jo ranks right up there with Ella and Frank as the best of the best. This album is worth buying just for Jo's version of "The Nearness of You." Could be the all-time best performance of a ballad by anyone anywhere. Great arrangement too.
Jo and The Starlighters make "Baby, It's Cold Outside" another major highlight of this CD. It's all very good taste retro, to say the least. "June in January" gets a tender treatment and it's a charming love song, too. The quality of the sound is nothing short of excellent; and I really like that artwork, too.
"Sleigh Ride" gets the royal treatment from Jo who delivers this with all the panache of a confident chanteuse. "Moonlight in Vermont" gets a very sensitive treatment by Jo Stafford that would make most female vocalists green with envy; and the CD ends with a second round of "Happy Holiday." The bells are particularly sweet on "Happy Holiday." This CD really shows the great talents of Jo Stafford, The Starlighters (who perform "Hanover Winter Song" without Jo), and Paul Weston & His Orchestra. Jo could really do just about anything she ever wanted to do. I highly recommend this for fans of Jo Stafford, people looking for her "Ski Trails" album on CD and fans of big band style musical arrangements. I always loved to hear Jo Stafford sing; and I still think very highly of her. Jo's singing was easily among the best; and if you listen to her performing a song you can tell she really gave her all to make it shine. "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" is a non Christmastime song that Jo sings with style and relentless optimism. "O Little Town of Bethlehem" features a children's chorus to enhance the number even further; they do a terrific job on "Silent Night." "It Happened in Sun Valley" is actually a song I was not too familiar with before I heard this here; Jo performs this faultlessly and that big band style arrangement works very well for "It Happened in Sun Valley." "June in January" is a very sweet tune that has Jo squarely front and center--great.
"March of the Toys" has a fine musical arrangement; and I really like Jo's rendition of "The Christmas Song." "The Christmas Song" sounds so right when Jo sings it; and the strings are used to great advantage on this number. "Let It Snow. Let It Snow." is a classic tune that Jo Stafford sings with heart and soul; the music fits in perfectly with her vocals. "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" is one of the major highlights on this album; and Jo, together with the chorus, makes this a great number for all year long. Let It Snow.
This album, entitled "Happy Holidays-I Love the Winter Weather," is no exception--Jo does a terrific job with these holiday classic tunes. Of course, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is a playful tune that is now associated with the Christmastime season even though it was not originally intended for that specific purpose. Jo's somewhat husky voice renders them sublime. This album also has the music from Jo's album "Ski Trails;" this alone is more than worth the price of admission.The album starts with "Happy Holiday;" Jo and the gang do this one up right and I'm quite impressed with the classic arrangement for this song. In addition, listen for a medley of "Jingle Bells" and "Winter Wonderland;" "Jingle Bells" and "Winter Wonderland" are wonderful Christmastime songs.
A GOOD SEASONAL RECORD, WITH SOME GREAT JO STAFFORD SINGING.YOU COULD PLAY IT ALL YEAR ROUND.I ENJOY HER CLASSIC VOICE.SHE CAN DO NO WRONG,,,,, TOM CROWLEY
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