Wanda Jackson was, and, it seems, remains, almost 50 years later, the undisputed queen of rockabilly. Her self-titled comeback album from 2001 was a stellar example of her remaining rock & roll swagger, but this time out, she has a host of the faithful famous paying tribute.
Dave Alvin,
Elvis Costello,
the Cramps,
Lee Rocker, and
the Cadillac Angels all join the rollicking festivities. Given a killer collection of songs, such as
Paul Kennerley's title track with backing vocal support from
Siedah Garrett, to a smoking version of
the Louvin Brothers' "Cash on the Barrelhead," to the wooly instrumentation on some cuts -- such as
the Cramps burning through
Charlie McCoy's "Funnel of Love" with her --
Jackson's range seems indomitable and her voice is still in fine shape.
Rosie Flores' help on the swinging "Woman Walk Out the Door" is a modern honky tonk masterpiece. The duet with
Costello, a moving version of
Buck Owens' "Crying Time," is simply one of the finest country-duet performances out there and deserves a Grammy. But it's on the tracks on which
Jackson appears with her band, such as "Mean Mean Man," "Riot in Cell Block No. 9," and "It Happens Every Time" (
Alvin plays guitar on them, but does not sing) with
Jackson handling all the vocals that work the best. Simply put, this is a rock & roll dream, full of raw, sharp performances, killer songs, and
Jackson's irrepressible ability to take even the most innocent song and make it salacious.