For Wanda Jackson, The Party's Just Beginning

All right, I admit it - I love Jack White.  How could I not, when it's obvious what a righteously chivalrous dude he is?  First, he worked his special brand of magic on Loretta Lynn's excellent Van Lear Rose, and it was some of her best work in years. Now he's done it again with Wanda Jackson's The Party Ain't Over, and from the sound of it that's the literal truth.  Jackson sounds every bit the rockabilly firecracker she did in the late '50s, and the music sounds like Jetsons-era Sun Records and the Dap Kings got married and had a baby.  It's the sexiest, most raucously delightful album I've heard in a long time.  

Among the highlights is a cover of Bob Dylan's "Thunder on the Mountain," originally released on 2006's Modern Times.  It was apparently suggested by the man himself, who once aptly dubbed her "an atomic bomb in lipstick."  A video of the song was released yesterday on Spinner's website.  Filmed at United Record Pressing in Nashville, it shows Jackson, White, and the band kicking it old-school in a room somewhere on the premises and looking like they're having the time of their lives doing it.  White jumps around like a hyperactive 8-year-old while frenetically soloing, and Jackson frequently swats at him playfully.  According to Jackson, White did that for every single take; she told Spinner that he was "in rare form . . . Every time that we taped it, he had the energy, jumping around and playing the guitar like that."  

Other faves include a version of "You Know I'm No Good" that manages to out-Winehouse Amy Winehouse (girl, I love you, but it's time to step up your game, for real), and a soulfully funky yet entirely reverent update of "Dust On The Bible," a nod to Jackson's days as a Christian evangelist.  But don't take my word for it - give it a listen, and discover for yourself why they (rightfully) call her the Queen of Rock.  NPR is previewing the album in its entirety until its January 25th release date.  

First Listen: Wanda Jackson, "The Party Ain't Over" (NPR)

You can pre-order The Party Ain't Over from both Third Man Records and Nonesuch.  Third Man has also produced two 45s featuring Wanda's versions of "Thunder On The Mountain" and "You Know I'm No Good."

She is currently on tour (click here for dates), and will appear on CBS's Late Show With David Letterman tonight and TBS's Conan on January 25.

Wanda Jackson to perform on 'Letterman,' 'Conan' shows (NewsOK)

And just for perspective's sake (and because it kicks absolute ass) . . .

Further reading:

Wanda Jackson + Jack White Cover Dylan's 'Thunder on the Mountain' - Video Premiere (Spinner)

Catching Up With . . . Wanda Jackson (Paste)

Wanda Jackson at Third Man Records, 1/18/11 (Nashville Cream)

Jack White's Third Man Records tells the world: Your Music City's not dead (Nashville Scene)

Jack White: The Cream Interview (Nashville Cream)