DEALS: 10% off your purchase when you order 3+ records. $4.99 flat-rate shipping on orders over $50. Free shipping on orders over $100. *

Special Re-issue sticker on front. Vinyl plays with some crackles and a few light-clicks (play-graded). Cover has a few creases near edges; scuffing (front/back); discoloration spots on back. Inner-sleeve is generic white. Spine is easy-to-read with mild-wear. Some shelf-wear along top/bottom-edge and corners. Opening is crisp with signs of light use and divots. (Not a cut-out.)

Ballad of the Blues, by Jo Stafford, is a sophisticated concept album that traces the origins and evolution of the blues through four themed medleys, blending traditional spirituals, folk songs, and classic blues standards into a cohesive narrative journey. Uniquely structured with original connecting material composed by her husband Paul Weston and featuring lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, the album is neither a strict historical account nor a pure collection of authentic blues but a creative pop-jazz interpretation, backed by Paul Weston's orchestra and the vocal harmonies of The Starlighters. Historically significant as an early and influential example of the blues-themed concept album by a major pop vocalist, it is often regarded by critics and fans as one of Stafford's career pinnacles and helped inspire similar projects by contemporaries like Peggy Lee and Kay Starr. Standout tracks and fan favorites include the haunting renditions of Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen, Kansas City Blues, Memphis Blues, He's Gone Away, Lover Man, and Blues in the Night, praised for Stafford's emotive delivery and the seamless transitions. The album showcases Stafford's versatility in tackling the blues genre with conviction, despite her primary background in traditional pop.
Portions of our "About the Record" section are taken from information gathered from Wikipedia and AllMusic.

• Our used records are play-tested in their entirety and rated accordingly. We DO NOT necessarily make note of, or take into consideration, any visual imperfections that do not affect the sound while being played on our record players (your record player may give slightly different results). If you would like a visual description of the vinyl itself, please ask, and we will be happy to provide one for you.

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