My God, she sounds like she's twenty!
This was the first thought I had when listening to "The Party Ain't Over" by Wanda Jackson (with Jack White). About three songs later I picked my jaw up off the floor and didn't wipe the smile from my face until the end of the CD.
Quick history lesson for those who don't know. If Elvis Presley is the king of early American Rock and Roll, then Wanda's the queen. And she deserves to be. She's had to settle for the "queen of Rockabilly" title, which is great, but her fame deserves to be so much more. She is arguably the first female rock and roll singer. She was the first female rocker to become big in Japan. After her Rockabilly days she had a string of Country hits and some success with Gospel as well. now she's back in the spotlight and enjoying the recognition she so richly deserves.
As far as the CD goes, it's just fabulous. I've been a fan of Jackson's for quite some time (my German import hits disc, "Wanda Rocks" has been in heavy rotation for about two years now). She could sing with power, she could coo, she could make you laugh and scare the hell out of you all in the same song. And she still can. About halfway through the record when she sings "You Know I'm No Good" and "Teach Me Tonight" she still sounds like the purring kitty she was all those years ago. That's right, Wanda makes being a Senior sound sexy. No one else can do that, not even Mick Jagger.
The chosen material is all top notch. From the classics "Shakin' All Over" and "Rip It Up" to her Gospel nod "Dust On The Bible" and a joyful rendition of "Rum and Coca Cola"(!) there's not a bad song in the bunch.
My only small complaint (and it is small) would be in the mix. Jack White's fuzzed out guitar is a bit too loud in places (though sometimes that's a good thing), and Wanda's voice seems a touch low at times. Now I am no fan of Mr. White or his main band The White Stripes. However, I do like what he's been doing with his other projects, and if he keeps on doing stellar work with legendary artists (he did the same for Loretta Lynn a while back) then my hat is off to the man for the service he's providing.
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Daves
Check out the clip for a sample of the awesomeness that is Wanda Jackson.
Now that's how it's done, kids! If that didn't get you moving check your pulse-you may be dead.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Social Distortion - Machine Gun Blues
This was supposed to be part of the last post. "Machine Gun Blues is the official single from the record so I thought I'd include it here. If you like this one there's more and better on the actual CD. Pick it up.
Recent Release: Social Distortion-Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes
It's been about five or six years now, so it must be time for a new album by Social D.!
Social Distortion have returned with a new album that finally delivers on the hinted promises of their previous releases. Starting out life over thirty years ago as a teenage punk rock band, over the years Mike Ness and co. have been dropping in little bits of Americana, Blues and even Pop Rock here and there throughout thier career. Sooner or later it had to culminate into one disc and this is it.
The punk rock greaser heart is still beating strong but it has been supplemented with a Stones-like swagger. After the punk/surf instrumental opener "Road Zombie" we get a song straight out of the Jagger/Richards mold called "California (Hustle And Flow), complete with back-up singers and everything. Doesn't sound right on paper but it works well.
The album moves along in more or less similar fashion until the middle when it's slow down time. The 70's blues rock influenced "Bakersfield" is technically a good song but brings the proceedings to a halt here. Perhaps it's the vocals. Ness still sounds like a snot-nosed California punker, which works most of the time, but is a bit of a hindrance here as that approach doesn't really lend itself to conveying the emotion called for by the song. The "Stones-al D." style misses the mark in a few other places like the relatively bland "Machine Gun Blues" (Social D. light to me) and "Writing On The Wall".
Fortunately things pick back up for the last two tracks, the rollicking "Can't Take It With You" and last blast statement "Still Alive." Also of note is a punked out version of the Hank Williams classic "Alone And Forsaken" which may be the key song of the whole disc.
So overall a quality release. Some longtime fans may complain about what they see as a softening up of the band, but I disagree. It's not going soft so much as expanding the sound. "Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes" is probably the ideal starting point for newbies and a treat for open minded fans.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Daves.
Social Distortion have returned with a new album that finally delivers on the hinted promises of their previous releases. Starting out life over thirty years ago as a teenage punk rock band, over the years Mike Ness and co. have been dropping in little bits of Americana, Blues and even Pop Rock here and there throughout thier career. Sooner or later it had to culminate into one disc and this is it.
The punk rock greaser heart is still beating strong but it has been supplemented with a Stones-like swagger. After the punk/surf instrumental opener "Road Zombie" we get a song straight out of the Jagger/Richards mold called "California (Hustle And Flow), complete with back-up singers and everything. Doesn't sound right on paper but it works well.
The album moves along in more or less similar fashion until the middle when it's slow down time. The 70's blues rock influenced "Bakersfield" is technically a good song but brings the proceedings to a halt here. Perhaps it's the vocals. Ness still sounds like a snot-nosed California punker, which works most of the time, but is a bit of a hindrance here as that approach doesn't really lend itself to conveying the emotion called for by the song. The "Stones-al D." style misses the mark in a few other places like the relatively bland "Machine Gun Blues" (Social D. light to me) and "Writing On The Wall".
Fortunately things pick back up for the last two tracks, the rollicking "Can't Take It With You" and last blast statement "Still Alive." Also of note is a punked out version of the Hank Williams classic "Alone And Forsaken" which may be the key song of the whole disc.
So overall a quality release. Some longtime fans may complain about what they see as a softening up of the band, but I disagree. It's not going soft so much as expanding the sound. "Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes" is probably the ideal starting point for newbies and a treat for open minded fans.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Daves.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
First Words
Hello out there.
This blog will be exactly what the title conveys . As a self confessed music geek I will be spouting my opinions on the music that moves me. I'll be reviewing new and old releases, ranting about what's going on in the music world and posting whatever the hell else I find appropriate.
As far as genre goes, I'll be focusing mostly on Rock (classic and current), Alternative, Outlaw Country, and pretty much anything else that is even remotely related to the above. I'll try to post relevant links and song/video samples when available.
I've got some ideas for some cosmetic fixes around here, but that will come in time.
The whole point with this blog is to hopefully turn people on to some music that they may otherwise miss or perhaps not give a fair listen. Hopefully the comments will provide some spirited discussions (and maybe hip me to some new sounds as well). Comments are always welcome, insults are not.
Back soon with some reviews of recent releases. 'Til then, turn it up.
P.S. About that name, I know it ain't exactly hipster, but this blog ain't for the scenesters. So there.
This blog will be exactly what the title conveys . As a self confessed music geek I will be spouting my opinions on the music that moves me. I'll be reviewing new and old releases, ranting about what's going on in the music world and posting whatever the hell else I find appropriate.
As far as genre goes, I'll be focusing mostly on Rock (classic and current), Alternative, Outlaw Country, and pretty much anything else that is even remotely related to the above. I'll try to post relevant links and song/video samples when available.
I've got some ideas for some cosmetic fixes around here, but that will come in time.
The whole point with this blog is to hopefully turn people on to some music that they may otherwise miss or perhaps not give a fair listen. Hopefully the comments will provide some spirited discussions (and maybe hip me to some new sounds as well). Comments are always welcome, insults are not.
Back soon with some reviews of recent releases. 'Til then, turn it up.
P.S. About that name, I know it ain't exactly hipster, but this blog ain't for the scenesters. So there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)