Customer Reviews

Heart Trouble

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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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!

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!

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

It it truly great when your favorite singer from the 50's, is still recording, and is not past his or her primr. As a matter a fact wanda sounds exactly the same now as she did in 1957! She has the same energy and rowdiness she always had. Wanda sounds as youthful and creative as ever. Here she sinsg a few new rockabilly classics, a Sleepy LaBeef standard, and a couple of her old hits like "Let's Have A Party." Here she is joined by a plethora of guest rock stars who don't nessicarily add anything, but at least they don't take away anything. Wanda never sounded so appealing as she does on songs like Heart Trouble and Funnell Of Love.

Great comeback cd, and wanda, I am waiting for your next 2005 release, let's have a newer version of Fujiyama Mama and Fever(the Peggy Lee version). And here's an idea instead of rock stars why not have Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Biys back you up, or some all star blues guest artists like BB King, Kid Ramos, and Clarence Gatemouth. Just an idea... in any case buy this cd NOW

Wanda Jackson is the Queen of Rockabilly; She started in country music when she was 16, and moved her way up to the top in a male dominated industry, eventually going on tour a year later with Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley (whom she later dated for a spell). When the rockabilly craze started to phase out Ms. Jackson moved back to her Gospel roots. Country became a focus later again, and now she is being hailed by a younger generation of Rockabilly lovers. Her 50-year career has been illustrious to say the least; she released approximately 150 tracks between 1957 and 1962. The New album "Heart Trouble" shows a cross-section of her career, bringing in session musicians such as Ex-Canned Heat/Bluesbreaker Larry Taylor, and Stray Cat Lee Rocker. "Funnel Of Love" is just as enchanting as the day it was originally released in the 60's, her gritty voice seemingly untouched by almost half a century on the road.

Wanda Jackson is a real dynamo. She created some classic Rockabilly songs and excelled in hard country also. I remember listening to "Right or Wrong" one of her classic country hits back in 1961.

After more than 50 years of performing, she still packs a punch. I saw her several years ago in person and she still sings well.

This album features some of her great rockabilly hits such as "Riot in Cell #9" and "Let's Have a Party". She isn't able to really belt those numbers out any more, but her update of version of "Mean Mean Man" actually improves on the original back in 1958. It is more edgier and she doesn't have to growl it to make an impression. She is sassy and sexy in this one.

Some of the newer songs in the country vein are quite good. I loved "It Happens Every Time" and "Anytime you want to fool around" She really is in good voice on these numbers.

Some of the songs feature other artists, such as Elvis Costello and Rosie Flores, but they don't add much to the songs.

Unlike some albums by older artists, this one really is exciting.

The liner notes feature some stunning photographs of Wanda Jackson in her heydey. She was one of the most beautiful singers of all time

"Heart Trouble" is a total blast from beginning to end. Wanda Jackson's performances here burst with energy and passion. My two favorite tracks are her pairings with the Cramps. "Riot in Cellblock #9" cooks like few new recordings. Smokey Hormel's electric lead sears the speakers as Wanda teases the last ounce of sass from the lyric. On "Funnel of Love," Wanda takes Charlie McCoy's great classic & milks the passion as Poison Ivy's guitar splatters mud every which-a-way. This music contains the spirit of original rock with sass & sex. There are no weak tracks. The opener title track cooks, "The way you treat me baby, cheat & tell me lies, guess I shouldn't care at all, but still I sympathize cause you got heart trouble coming on," Wanda sings with a sly vindictive swagger. Elvis Costello, sounding soulful, guests on the slower "Crying Time" as these two great artists blend delightfully. "Mean Mean Man" burns and throbs. "Lonely for You" has pounding drums and thudding bass above which Wanda cries & moans. My biggest complaint is about the photographer who threw a spotlight in Wanda's face making the cover seem like a Halloween shot or Joan Crawford being ready for her close-up. The liner notes and retrospective photo display are excellent. This is a tremendous disc. Bravo!

I'm a HUGE fan of Wanda Jackson, so I eagerly bought this album after it came out. I love her old 1950s rockabilly songs, but I'm a little disappointed in this album. It's a great album, don't get me wrong, but it's not as snappy as the original versions of her songs. The music in this album is really great, but it uses a lot of honky-tonky thumping bass and the beats are a slower and the music isn't as youthful-sounding. Basically, if you're an older Wanda Jackson fan or looking for remixes of her songs that are easier to listen to, you'll like this album's classic smooth sound, but if you're a big fan of her sassy 1950s hits, stick with those.

Also, the album cover is one of the most unflattering photos I've ever seen of Wanda! The inner liner has a beautiful picture of her with her guitar, and I don't know why that one wasn't chosen instead.

very good, but id rather hear her younger voice. look for her old stuff, but still beautiful.chao, BARRO. COMBATE Fight Club. [...]

Excellent in all ways: choice of songs, singing, production,

I recommend this to everyone who likes Wanda Jackson, country, rockabilly, good records.