The photos, reminiscences, even the song selection on I Remember Elvis--building to "I Wore Elvis's Ring" and climaxing with "Love Me Tender"--do more than hint that the Queen of Rockabilly and the King of Rock & Roll ... more »were more than just good friends. Whatever the personal relationship, Presley's influence on Jackson ran deep (as it did on most of the other early rockers), and here she repays the debt with a tribute that recaptures all the musical vitality of the mid-1950s. Rather than passing as a female Elvis impersonator, she turns some of Presley's seminal hits (as well as worthy favorites such as "Trying to Remember to Forget" and "Ain't That Loving You Baby") into Wanda Jackson songs. Providing the big beat behind her is drummer Clem Burke (the powerhouse percussionist for Blondie) while producer Danny B. Harvey supplies the requisite rockabilly guitar licks. Whether storming through "Good Rockin' Tonight" or torching the smoldering sensuality of "Baby, Let's Play House," Jackson combines the reckless spirit of the moment (the sessions sound live without overdubs) with the legacy of a half-century. Another Elvis--Costello--provides the love-letter liner notes. --Don McLeese« less
The photos, reminiscences, even the song selection on I Remember Elvis--building to "I Wore Elvis's Ring" and climaxing with "Love Me Tender"--do more than hint that the Queen of Rockabilly and the King of Rock & Roll were more than just good friends. Whatever the personal relationship, Presley's influence on Jackson ran deep (as it did on most of the other early rockers), and here she repays the debt with a tribute that recaptures all the musical vitality of the mid-1950s. Rather than passing as a female Elvis impersonator, she turns some of Presley's seminal hits (as well as worthy favorites such as "Trying to Remember to Forget" and "Ain't That Loving You Baby") into Wanda Jackson songs. Providing the big beat behind her is drummer Clem Burke (the powerhouse percussionist for Blondie) while producer Danny B. Harvey supplies the requisite rockabilly guitar licks. Whether storming through "Good Rockin' Tonight" or torching the smoldering sensuality of "Baby, Let's Play House," Jackson combines the reckless spirit of the moment (the sessions sound live without overdubs) with the legacy of a half-century. Another Elvis--Costello--provides the love-letter liner notes. --Don McLeese
Allen Chapman | STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT USA | 02/12/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Back in the day Wanda Jackson was referred to as the "female Elvis". This album is a collection of mostly cover songs done originally by Elvis. There is an original track, "I Wore Elvis' Ring" which is about the short relationship the two shared. He was partly responsible for her career in the first place and this album pays tribute to the man who encouraged her to do her thing. Don't let the cover of this album fool you, these are all BRAND NEW recordings. Wanda hasn't lost a thing in her voice and it's amazing when you realize that she's more or less been out of the public eye since sometime in the 60's. A couple years ago she went back into the studio and has since released three albums of new material. She had a growl in her voice 40 someodd years ago, that growl is still there today."
Papi chulo saw her in concert in hollywood
papi-chulo | sant ana | 03/30/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"papi chulo was there for the release party of the cd en hollywood, y wanda sang canciones from the cd, she still is la reina de rockabilidad! Viva Wanda Jackson. The songs are well chosen and she sings them with a still youthful vibrant voice, though her age shows a little, she is still wand a and stil lgoin' strong"
Heartfelt tribute to the King from his female acolyte
hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 03/21/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's hard to imagine Jackson as a 68-year-old grandmother of four. Her voice has still got the rockabilly-kitten tone that graced her seminal '50s sides for Capitol, and her mastery of rock 'n' roll retains a surprisingly amount of her teenage verve. Together with a four-piece band (led by rockabilly guitarist Danny Harvey, with bassist Razor X, ex-Blondie drummer Clem Burke, and legendary L.A. studio pianist Don Randi), she salutes the man whose encouragement led her to try out, and ultimately conquer the crossroad of country, soul and rock that is rockabilly.
Jackson's country background has always helped her find her way around a ballad (particularly evident here on her touching version of "Love Me Tender"), but it's the twangy mid-tempo rockers like "Good Rockin' Tonight," "Baby, Let's Play House," "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby" and "Too Much," on which her rock 'n' roll spirit is set free. In addition to thirteen Elvis-related sides, there's an original titled "I Wore Elvis' Ring" and a spoken-word remembrance of the time she spent with Elvis in the mid-50s.
"I bought this CD from a Wanda Jackson show she did in Nashville. She was kind enough to autograph it for me. She signed the CD itself and wrote "Rock On" Wanda Jackson on it. What a sweet lady she is. This CD is excellent in every way. I love how Wanda picked songs that Elvis did around the same time they toured together. She even talks about Elvis on the first and last track. If you are a Wanda Jackson fan or even an Elvis fan, you gotta have this CD!
I cannot believe it's 2007 and Wanda Jackson is STILL NOT in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! What a shame."
Super cd
Costa Rican-Bigbutt | CALIF. | 04/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"really great rockabilly cd, buy her 50's stuff 1st, than if you are a big fan, buy this."