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Topic: Jo Stafford's American Folk Songs |
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 27 Nov 2009 7:35 am |
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A good well-rounded steel guitarist (or any musician for that matter) can find inspiration in all kinds of music - sometimes the most surprising. I recall Carlos Santana saying that he had listened carefully to Dione Warwick and imitated her phrasing. John Hartford's traditional fiddle playing was influenced by Mahvishnu-era John McLaughlin!
My personal Thanksgiving weekend tradition is to listen to Jo Stafford's American Folk Songs, recorded in 1950. Her amazing voice with minimal vibrato and impossibly spot-on intonation never fails to send chills up my spine - especially her version of Shenandoah. The string arrangements by her husband, Paul Weston are beautiful, lyrical and compliment the singing perfectly. Try to translate her phrasing to the guitar; it's a lesson in perfection. She owned the masters and I bought the CD from Jo's label, Corinthian Records about 15 years ago. She died about a year and a half ago at age ninety; a life well lived and a beautiful voice.
http://singersaintsrecords.blogspot.com/2008/07/jo-stafford-sings-american-folk-songs.html |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 27 Nov 2009 12:03 pm
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Andy,thanks for the post...I'll have to get that. 
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 27 Nov 2009 12:58 pm Re: Jo Stafford's American Folk Songs
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| Andy Volk wrote: |
Jo Stafford's ... impossibly spot-on intonation never fails to send chills up my spine - especially her version of Shenandoah. |
Yes, she was always good with folksy material:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ukeZqJYPY&feature=related |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 27 Nov 2009 6:28 pm
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| Jo Stafford was the best. Her rendition of 'You Belong To Me" is a masterpiece. Jody. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Peter Freiberger
From:
California, USA
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Posted 28 Nov 2009 7:29 am
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Their son Tim, a great guitarist and jazz producer, has been my best friend since 1975. The Westons were wonderful people and always encouraged us.
We were lucky enough to play on the final Jonathan and Darlene recordings, "I Am Woman" and "Stayin' Alive", an unforgettable experience. Jo had perfect pitch and singing sharp as Darlene was difficult for her. Paul, on the other hand, had a ball as Jonathan.
Ironically, their only Grammy was for playing and singing out of tune as Jonathan and Darlene.
You can learn more about their remarkable careers and get their music here:
http://mysite.verizon.net/resoadiv/ |
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