Wanda Jackson – ‘Encore’ Review: A Glorious Victory Lap
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There are legends and there is the mighty Wanda Jackson. Born in 1937 in Oklahoma, the First Lady of Rockabilly has been waving her tassels and rocking her bangs since the early 1950s, signing her first contract with Decca while still in high school. Her early releases were inspired by Western Swing and the kind of electrified country music that came out of Bakersville, but after touring with a promising singer called Elvis Presley, Wanda decided to get into rock ‘n’ roll.
It was the perfect path for Wanda’s distinctive voice – a screaming, hoarse thing that was hoarse and rough where many other female singers were soft and smooth. The sultry guitars of the newly created rock sound rang with the rowdy and sizzling tastes of âFujiyama Mamaâ and âMean Mean Manâ. A star was born and thanks to some truly impressive stamina, Wanda has shone ever since, staging flashy and fabulous shows until relatively recently and becoming a sonic touchstone for everyone from the sleazy psychobilly of the Cramps to the soulful stomping of the Cramps. ‘Amy Winehouse.
Wanda Jackson announced her retirement two years ago – but you can’t keep a talent that beats the world. News of her leaving music had obviously been greatly exaggerated, and after her retirement she found herself collaborating with a host of new songwriters and entering the studio with equally iconic Joan Jett.
Today, at the age of 83, Wanda releases her final farewell, the endless charm ‘Encore’, which marks her 32nd album. With backing from Jett and blues singer Elle King, Wanda makes her way through the perky revenge hymn “Two Shots”, while “You Drive Me Wild” sees her in alluring form on a piano boogie. -woogie, offering the kind of lustful come-on that wouldn’t seem out of place by the pool in Island of love‘s Casa Amor. “You make me tremble / Make me tremble / Have fun until dawn” she delivers in that distinctive croon while Jett’s guitar solo adds a bass and dirty depth. ‘Treat Me Like A Lady’ is equally sublimely fishy, ââas Wanda sings the “low-cut dress / hugging my hips”. Your Nanna could never.
We go back about 60 years ago with a dreamlike version of “It Keeps Right On A Hurtin” from 1962 – which was also covered by Wanda’s old guy, Elvis – driven by a lap steel guitar and a rebound. vintage, but the new songs swing just as hard. If this is truly a goodbye, then Wanda Jackson has done it with impeccable style.
Details
Release date: 20 August
A record company: Black Heart Discs
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