Heart Trouble

Wanda Jackson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 14, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cmh Records
• ASIN: B0000CC864
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,806 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Country music's first female rebel, the "Rockabilly Filly" herself, successfully revisits her past on Heart Trouble with the assistance of a cast of contemporary friends and fans. Jackson's first studio recording in 15 years features a duet with Elvis Costello on "Crying Time," a couple of tunes, including an update of her 1960 hit "Funnel of Love," with the Cramps backing her and, most effectively, the guitar work of Dave Alvin spicing up several tracks. Rosie Flores, who coaxed Jackson out of retirement in 1995, also helps out with vocals on a couple of tracks. But, as befitting her independent woman reputation, Jackson does quite well by herself, especially on the title track and the Louvin Brothers classic "Cash on the Barrelhead," complete with tasty steel guitar from John McFee, that follows it. The Cramps provide a rowdy remake of "Riot in Cellblock #9" and a muscular treatment of Carl Perkins' classic "Rockabilly Fever," Jackson's traditional concert opener, showcases Alvin's affinity for real rockabilly. Jackson's West Coast touring band the Cadillac Angels also gets in on the action via a reprise of her '50s hit "Hard Headed Woman." Producer John Wooler, who has worked with everyone from Willie Nelson to the Counting Crows, used several retro production tricks, including vintage microphones and analog recording, to infuse authenticity into the proceedings but all he really needed was Jackson's still strong and sassy voice in the service of her unshakable rockabilly sensibilities. --Michael Point

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's About Time!, October 22, 2003

By 

Gina Simpson (Oklahoma City, OK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heart Trouble (Audio CD)

The new album of Wanda Jackson's, "Heart Trouble" is such a welcome gift. Wanda is truly one of the first female "rockabilly" singers...a true living legend! I couldn't wait to hear every track and was blown away! Her voice is as strong as ever! She obviously "STILL HAS IT!" The duets she does with some of today's hot stars is a credit to her status in the music community. Just one question...I can't seem to find where Wanda Jackson has been inducted into the "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...?" If this is true, it's an outrage! She paved the way for countless female artists,and has now been knocking audiences dead for over 40 years! If the industry doesn't realize this, then I believe we should start a "grass roots effort" to insist that she be nominated and inducted. I know there are many more fans (as well as artists)out there like me who would agree! If anyone has a contact or knows of a way of reaching someone on the comittee, please let me know. No one deserves recognition more than Wanda!! She is artist's artist and a true professional if there ever was one. Go buy this new C.D. and you'll see what I mean! Kudos, Wanda!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Queen of Rockabilly returns!, October 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Heart Trouble (Audio CD)

Wanda Jackson rocks! An inspiration to countless women in rock and country, Jackson is back with an amazing new record featuring The Cramps, Elvis Costello, Dave Alvin, Rosie Flores and others. This record is a real treat for Wanda fans who like all her music-- whether it's rockabilly, hard-core country or gospel. It's a first rate production and her voice is in top form. She still sings like a teenager. There are some great re-recordings on here, with new twists and turns, but the new songs are a real revelation-- this is no oldies record. She's as vital an artist as ever. My favorite tracks are "Heart Trouble" and "It Happens Every Time." Check it out! Wanda should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wanda is back, July 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Heart Trouble (Audio CD)

Be still, my heart...Wanda is back. After a recording hiatus of nearly 20 years, the Queen of Rockabilly returns with a collection of recordings that affirms her place in the pantheon of American music.

The album begins with the title track, an uptempo country number that showcases the often overlooked melodic qualities of Wanda's voice. This toe-tapper sets the tone for a more subdued collection than Wanda's blistering early rockabilly recordings, and introduces the cast of side performers who help to make each song an instrumental masterpiece. Bassist Larry Taylor, drummer Stephen Hodges, and backing vocalist Siedah Garrett lay a solid foundation on the whole collection, setting the stage for the guitar work of Dave Alvin, James Intveld and Smokey Hormel, who also contributes fine pluckin' on the banjo and mandolin.

Psychobilly pioneers The Cramps add their twist to Wanda's classic "Funnel of Love", styling this signature tune without distorting or parodying. The rasp is gone from Wanda's voice here, but the eeriness of Poison Ivy's guitar gives the song all the texture it had the first time around. Lee Rocker and Rosie Flores crank up the honky-tonk of "Woman Walk Out the Door", delivered by Wanda as no other can, walking the line between smitten and empowered with unmatched vocal authority.

As was the case in the 1950's, Wanda delivers her own songs and those written by others in a distinctive and magnificent style. "Mean Mean Man" and Carl Perkins' "Rockabilly Fever" are just as vital and infectious as they were 50 years ago, sung with the conviction that carries a sentence in Cellblock #9. This collection is the perfect complement to Wanda's early work, and to the contemporary works of her many collaborators who trace their lineage to the early days of country and western. That's right, they called it rockabilly long before they called it rock and roll....
- Dante Murphy
www.PortHalcyon.com