The Piano Artistry of Jonathan Edwards

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The Piano Artistry of Jonathan Edwards
Piano Artistry Jonathan Edwards album.jpg
Studio album by
Jo Stafford and Paul Weston (Gene Krupa, drums)
Released1957
Genre Traditional pop
Comedy
Label Columbia
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
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The Piano Artistry of Jonathan Edwards is a 1957 album of songs by Paul Weston and Jo Stafford in the guise of Jonathan and Darlene Edwards, a New Jersey lounge act who deliberately play the piano and sing off-key, putting their own interpretation on popular songs. Most of the tracks feature Weston's piano playing, although on four he is accompanied by Darlene. The album was released by Columbia Records (Catalog No: CL 1024) in 1957. It was re-released in 1985 by Corinthian Records.

Contents

Track listing

Side one

  1. It Might As Well Be Spring
  2. Poor Butterfly
  3. Autumn in New York (v. Darlene Edwards)
  4. Nola
  5. Stardust
  6. It's Magic (v. Darlene Edwards)

Side two

  1. Sunday, Monday or Always
  2. Jealousy
  3. Cocktails for Two (v. Darlene Edwards)
  4. Dizzy Fingers
  5. Three Coins in the Fountain
  6. You're Blasé (v. Darlene Edwards)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan and Darlene Edwards</span> Musical comedy double act

Jonathan and Darlene Edwards were a musical comedy double act developed by American conductor and arranger Paul Weston, and his wife, singer Jo Stafford. The routine was conceived in the 1950s, and involved Weston playing songs on the piano in unconventional rhythms, while Stafford sang off-key in a high pitched voice. The couple released five albums and one single as the Edwardses, and their 1960 album, Jonathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris won that year's Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.

<i>Jonathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris</i> 1960 studio album by Jo Stafford and Paul Weston

Jonathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris is a 1960 comedy album recorded by American singer Jo Stafford and her husband, pianist and bandleader Paul Weston. In character as Jonathan and Darlene Edwards, the pair put their own interpretation on popular songs including "I Love Paris" and "Paris in the Spring." The album followed a successful comedy act the couple would perform at parties during the 1950s, in which Weston would play an out of tune piano while Stafford would accompany him by singing in an off-key and high pitched voice. A joint winner of the 1961 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, the album garnered Stafford her only major award for her singing.

<i>Darlene Remembers Duke, Jonathan Plays Fats</i> 1982 studio album by Jo Stafford and Paul Weston

Darlene Remembers Duke, Jonathan Plays Fats is a 1982 album by Jo Stafford and Paul Weston in which they perform in character as Jonathan and Darlene Edwards. The duo present their own unique interpretation of the music of Duke Ellington and Fats Waller, with Stafford singing deliberately off-key, and Weston deliberately fumbling his way through piano arrangements. It was issued by Corinthian Records (COR-117). When it was released, Billboard said of it: "The sounds they achieve may well lead to another Grammy for the duo next year." Stafford and Weston, in their Jonathan and Darlene Edwards personas, were interviewed by Los Angeles Magazine following the album's release.

"Paris in the Spring" is a popular song composed in 1935, with lyrics by Mack Gordon and music by Harry Revel. It was first introduced by Mary Ellis in the film Paris in Spring. A version was also recorded by Ray Noble and His Orchestra. In 1960, Jo Stafford and her husband Paul Weston recorded a version for their comedy album Jonathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris in which they put their own unique interpretation on the song.

<i>Jonathan and Darlenes Greatest Hits</i> 1993 compilation album by Jo Stafford and Paul Weston

Jonathan and Darlene's Greatest Hits is a 1993 compilation album of songs by Paul Weston and Jo Stafford recorded in the guise of Jonathan and Darlene Edwards, a New Jersey lounge act who performed deliberately off-key, putting their own interpretation on popular songs. The album was released by Corinthian Records on September 11, 1993.

<i>Jonathan and Darlenes Greatest Hits: Volume 2</i> 1994 compilation album by Jo Stafford and Paul Weston

Jonathan and Darlene's Greatest Hits: Volume 2 is a 1994 compilation album of songs by Paul Weston and Jo Stafford recorded in the guise of Jonathan and Darlene Edwards, a New Jersey lounge act who performed deliberately off-key, putting their own interpretation on popular songs. The album was released by Corinthian Records on February 22, 1994.

The original use of the term "parody" in music referred to re-use for wholly serious purposes of existing music. In popular music that sense of "parody" is still applicable to the use of folk music in the serious songs of such writers as Bob Dylan, but in general, "parody" in popular music refers to the humorous distortion of musical ideas or lyrics or general style of music.

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