CD Review: 'I Remember Elvis' by Wanda Jackson

by Rick Landers

Depending on one's perspective, the planets either aligned or collided in the early 1950s when black rhythm and blues and white country and western accelerated into rockabilly and rock 'n roll. But either way, at the center of the new musical galaxy that emerged and defined a generation stood a single sun.

Elvis Presley.

At his side was sassy and beautiful brunette Wanda Jackson, a 17-year-old singer that was encouraged to sing rockabilly by the King. With encouragement from Elvis, Wanda would kick up the gravel with a series of her own rockabilly classics like, "Let's Have a Party," "Hot Dog! That Mad Him Mad," and "Riot in Cell Block #9."

More than half a century later, Wanda's still kickin' and is known as the "Queen of Rockabilly." She's just now getting off an international tour where she's being called the "First Lady of Rock n' Roll." And fans around the world are pushing to have her name placed alongside her peers at the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.

In 2004, Scena Records released The Best of Rockabilly with tracks by giants Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, the Fireballs, and Jerry Reed. Wanda's cut on the CD "No Wedding Bells for Joe" reminds us that she was no square.

Her new CD release, I Remember Elvis crackles and does justice to a set of Elvis tunes starting with "Good Rockin' Tonight" and romping through "Blue Moon of Kentucky," "Heartbreak Hotel," and other legendary tracks. All rendered by a lady who listened in the wings while the King was belting them out to crowds of crazed young girls.

"Good Rockin' Tonight" instantly transports you to the 1950s when recordings were clean and made with little to no recording effects to get in the way of the performance.

Holding the CD down to those basics are sidemen Danny B. Harvey (guitars); Razor X (standup bass); Don Randi (piano); and Clem Burke (drums). Harvey's Sun Record licks are spot on and ring true while Randi's honky tonk work on the 88s tethers the songs back to where they once belonged.

Her rendition of "Mystery Train" chugs along smartly with Jackson's twang-laden voice keeping pace with some great rockabilly guitar by Harvey who bends and twists along the tracks to the very last last note.

Harvey's guitar work alone is worth the price of this CD. He injects each cut with musical precision, never overwhelming Jackson's fine vocals, but blending perfectly with her voice whether she's singing like a woman bewitched, scorned, or forlorn.

Each song balances the nostalgia of the early days of rock, yet Wanda's voice still sparkles with that raunchy coyness and youthful innocence of her early recordings.

Why "That's Alright" doesn't show up on this CD is a real mystery. That's one song that would have been a great stop to belt it out like she did on her scorching classic "Fujiyama Mama."

For those who were around at the time, I Remember Elvis brings back images of a time of innocence that was cracked open by Wanda's hip shaking heart throb and an era that gave purchase to this pioneering lady of rock 'n roll.

You want authentic? Well, Jackson's the real deal. Give her a listen and discover the lady that helped pave the way for all that followed.

Label: Goldenlane Records 1568
Release Date: January 31, 2006
Liner Notes: Elvis Costello

I Remember Elvis

1. Wanda Introduction
2. Good Rockin' Tonight
3. Blue Moon of Kentucky
4. Heartbreak Hotel
5. I don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine
6. Trying to Get to You
7. Baby, Let's Play House
8. Give the Right
9. You're Right, I'm Left, He's Gone
10. Mystery Train
11. Ain't That Loving You Baby
12. I Forgot to Remember To Forget Him
13. I Wore Elvis' Ring
14. Too Much
15. Love Me Tender
16. Wanda Talks About Elvis

Related Link
Wanda Jackson