After producing Loretta Lynn's Grammy-winning 'Van Lear Rose' album, Jack White has turned his attention to another venerable American institution, Wanda Jackson. Well into her eighth decade, The First Lady of Rockabilly still possesses a soulful holler. Recorded at White's Nashville studio, Jackson is afforded a stellar backing band including two Raconteurs and Carl Broemel from My Morning Jacket.
She effortlessly flips between rock (on bustling opener 'Shakin' All Over'), gospel, some suspect boogie-woogie on 'Busted', while nailing Dylan's 'Thunder On The Mountain'. However, this 'Party' succeeds in merely rejuvenating, rather than reinventing, wonderful Wanda.
7/10
Words by John Freeman
Read Clash Magazine's interview with Wanda Jackson HERE.