Vintage Collections

Wanda Jackson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 23, 1996)
• Original Release Date: January 23, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000002U27
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,664 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

There were plenty of slicked-back boys fighting for their share of the spotlight in the wake of Elvis Presley, but Wanda Jackson was one of the rare rockabilly gals of the '50s. It was Elvis himself who recommended that the Oklahoman set aside her country leanings for the time being and rock a little. That she did, drawing on a voice that cut through the din with a surplus of sass and a session band that included guitarists Joe Maphis and Buck Owens. This 20-song anthology mixes country and rockabilly sides, but while Jackson is likable tackling honky-tonk, she shines as a rockabilly spitfire. The likes of "Riot in Cell Block #9," "Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad," and "Let's Have a Party" offered an early affirmative to the question: "Can a gal rock?" The real mindblower here, however, is "Fujiyama Mama," which opens with Wanda boasting: "I've been to Nagasaki / Hiroshima, too / The same I did to them, baby, I can do to you." Pretty strange claim, considering only a dozen years had passed since two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inexpensive and great overview of Wanda's career..., May 26, 2004

By 

king-of-rockabilly-jive - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vintage Collections (Audio CD)

This cd is a perfect introductory one for a new fan, for it offers the two sides of Wanda... the rockabilly queen and the country torch singer, although there is a LOT more rockabilyl here(thankfully). This cd features rockabilyl classics liek Fujiyama Mama, as well as a blues "Kansas City Blues", and some country/honky tonk/rockabilly "I Gotta Know" and some hillbilly stuff too. A great cd, a great price, though if you want to spend a little more and get ALL the rockabilyl classics try Ace's Queen of Rockabilly or Bear family's Wanda Rocks or just for the Gold and get Bear Family's box set, Right or Wrong! Well, you migth just want to start here, fir this sampler is such a budget price and contians all her rockabilly ESSENTIALS, and shines her in a light as more then just a rock'n'roller. A versitile and great singer who could be rough and roudy and rev ger vocie up liek a 57 Chevy or could coo sweetly like a canarie! Great cd!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not A Bad Cut On It, March 11, 2000

By 

Michael E. Taylor (St Louis, Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vintage Collections (Audio CD)

If there's any one artist who's overdue for a nomination to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, it's Wanda Jackson. This collection showcases her early rock and rockabilly songs, along with her two big country hits and some great covers. All are excellent material. Throw in classic pickers like Joe Maphis, Buck Owens and Roy Clark and you've got a winner. And the sound! Considering that most of these songs were cut in the late 50's, the quality is remarkable--thanks to Capitol Records' first-class operation. Great stuff--Wanda at her best!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The queen of rockabilly in an excellent collection., July 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Vintage Collections (Audio CD)

Wanda Jackson has been unjustly ignored in her own country. She cut some of the best rockabilly period in the late 50's with such classics as "Let's Have A Party" and "Fujiyama Mama." This collection also contains some of her biggest country hits as "In The Middle Of A Heartache" and "Right Or Wrong." It's almost hard to believe, but her version of "Riot In Cell Block #9" is as good as the one by the Coasters. Wanda Jackson became a born-again Christian in 1971, but she still performs her old hits in concert. I saw on her web page that she is going to Sweden toward the end of July for a month-they still love Wanda in Scandinavia! If you love country, rockabilly, adn rock n roll, this album is a certified 5 stars. WANDA RULES!