White Shows Wanda Jackson Still Dangerous

Loathe as I might be to cut Jack White slack until we get a new White Stripes album, it looks like he has mined gold with yet another long-ignored female musician. Having already resurrected the Coal Miner's Daughter, he has linked up with the Queen of Rockabilly. 

Albums by 70-something women with giant Southern hair generally don't pique my interest, but this is Wanda Jackson we're talking about, bitches.

She was a knockout and one hell of a rock pioneer. Unfortunately for her, she has become better known for dating Elvis than her music. In her day, this was one fiery guitar-playing woman. 

Her day might be dawning anew; White has produced her upcoming album, and first single, a 45 of Amy Winehouse's You Know I'm No Good and Shakin' All Over by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. The rockabilly track fits her persona well, and White surrounds her with a solid backing band, which as expected includes Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler from the Raconteurs.  

But Jackson really shines on You Know I'm Know Good. She could have sung this back in her prime. By having Jackson cover Winehouse, she unveils herself as a steely predecessor to Winehouse, albeit without the track wreck of a personal life (as far as I know). The grit which has deepened Jackson's voice with age fits the tone remarkably well. 

Plenty of older musicians get the cold shoulder courtesy of the record industry - the resurrection jobs given to Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond by Rick Rubin blazed the path. White has solidified his own niche with the women of rock and country. I can't judge his work on Jackson's album for a few more months, but if the fire of the lead single carries over, Jackson will usher in his latest production success.