The Party Ain't Over

I haven't bought much music lately, so I've gone on a bit of a splurge, picking up CDs of all different types. One of them is a new album by an old performer (and I say that respectfully). Wanda Jackson, a youthful 73, has made a record produced by Jack White, The Party Ain't Over, and it's a gem.

The title is presumably a reference to Jackson's biggest hit, "Let's Have a Party," from the early days of rock and roll. Some, in fact, consider Jackson the first female vocalist to sing rock and roll, and she has become known over the years as the "Queen of Rockabilly." White, who has catholic music tastes (as well as being part of three different rock groups) did something similar with Loretta Lynn a few years ago, but of course Lynn is far better known. Jackson, one hopes, picks up a lot of new fans.

The album is a mixture of styles, most in the rockabilly tempo, but not all. It kicks off with the oldie "Shakin' All Over," and this song is worth the purchase price all on its own. Jackson has lost none of the kittenish of her voice, but she's a kitten that bites, and combined with White's chainsawish, twangy guitar, this cut really shakes the rafters.

The album is all covers, including a Bob Dylan song, "Thunder on the Mountain," and a superb version of Amy Winehouse's "You Know I'm No Good." But the music stretches through time and genres, with the old Andrews' Sisters calypso number, "Rum and Coca-Cola," (co-written by Morey Amsterdam!) and a Jimmie Rodgers blues-yodel. Jackson, who eventually became more of a country artist, also sings the heavily countrified "Dust on the Bible."

I'm not sure I had ever heard of Jackson before, sad to say, but I know who she is now. She toured with Elvis and was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. White is to be commended for bringing her back in the spotlight, and furthers my claim that he is the most interesting person in contemporary music.