| I Remember Elvis, Wanda Jackson Goldenlane Records CLP 1568-2
You readers might already know that I've always been a big Wanda Jackson fan, and also that I was mighty impressed when she released an album with all new recordings at 66 years of age in 2003 titled "Heart Trouble". Three years later, the rockin' girl is back! This time with a tribute to her friend and idol Elvis Presley. These are Wanda's opening words on this album: "Hi, this is Wanda. I just want you all to know that without the encouragement of Elvis Presley, I may never have even recorded rock 'n' roll or rockabilly. So this tribute album is just my way of saying thank you to a dear friend." This CD is not just a collection of Elvis' covers. Yes, all but one are songs that Elvis also recorded, but Wanda with her tremendous voice and energy makes them sound all new and fresh, while staying true to the original rockabilly sound. Wanda gathered some of the best musicians on the scene for the recording session, with no one less than Danny B. Harvey (Levi Dexter & The Ripchords, 13 Cats, Honeydippers, Swing Cats, Twenty Flight Rockers, etc.) on the guitar. The selection of songs include many of Elvis Presley's original Sun recordings, the songs that ushered in the rock 'n' roll era. A few ballads are also included, like the ever popular "Love Me Tender" and from the 60's "Give Me The Right". "I Wore Elvis Ring" is a brand new original issued here for the first time, a song about the short relationship Wanda and Elvis had. Wanda also talks about Elvis for about 6 minutes at the end of the album. Wanda Jackson fans, Elvis Presley fans, rock 'n' roll and rockabilly fans alike, you can't go wrong with this album. It's very professionally recorded, the sound is fantastic, and Wanda... wel, you just gotta love her!
Some great news to end this review: KPI, a New York City-based television and new media production company, has completed location shooting across the U.S. and Europe for "Every Night Is Saturday Night", a high definition documentary film that tells the unsung story of rock 'n' roll pioneer Wanda Jackson. The film is being produced in association with Los Angeles-based producer Joanne Fish. The team has followed the tireless 68 year old Jackson and her husband/manager Wendell Goodman as they travel from honky tonks to Lincoln center as well as Sweden and Finland. Production began in June 2005 when the filmmakers documented the recording of Jackson's new release Wanda Jackson Remembers Elvis. The project is in post-production. It will be released in 3rd quarter 2006. Watch the trailer on-line at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifq0cgEzbj8 Tracklisting: Musicians:
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