2009-06-19
For those not hip to the tip, Wanda Jackson is literally the Queen of Rockabilly, turning the Country world on its head along with Elvis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash in the mid-1950’s with her wild stage antics and such classic hits as "Mean Mean Man", "Hard Headed Woman", "Rockabilly Fever" and "Let’s Have a Party". With her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 2009 class, it is likely that a whole new generation will discover the sheer joy and abandon that marked her approach to a style of music that she was making up as she went along. This 2003 release marked Jackson’s first return to the recording studio in over 20 years after a long hiatus performing gospel and straight County. To mark the occasion she was joined by such roots rock luminaries as Dave Alvin, The Cramps, Lee Rocker, Rosie Flores and even Elvis Costello. With a wide sampling of her country and rockabilly hits, this disc is a journey into the past. While the flames don’t burn as bright as on her 50’s sides, there is still plenty of heat here. Play it loud, play it often. SmittyThe opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.