(CMH) In 1952 at the age of 12, Wanda Jackson won a talent contest in Oklahoma City that won her a spot on a 15 minute local show on radio station KLRP. The show was upped to 30 minutes daily, and Wanda's appearances lasted though high school. It was on this show that Hank Thompson heard Wanda and asked her to record with his Brazos Valley Boys. In 1954 one of those songs, "You Can't Have My Love," became a national hit, launching the career of one of the first major female country and rockabilly stars. However, Wanda decided to put off any touring until she finished high school. Her first tour in 1955 found her on a bill that included Elvis Presley, and the two hit it off immediately. It was both Elvis and her own father who encouraged Wanda to sing rockabilly, something she embraced and she became known as the 'Rockabilly Filly,' America's first female 'rebel.' She didn't stick to singing only rockabilly, and also continued to release conventional country fare as well, often releasing a single with a song of both styles on either side. Wanda's success and popularity continued until the end of the 60s when she decided to leave secular music and turned to recording gospel albums throughout next decade. During the early 80s she was invited several times to Europe to play rockabilly and country music festivals and record, though she all but retired from the American music scene by that time. In 1995, Rosie Flores, who cites Wanda as a major influence, recorded her own album titled Rockabilly Filly, and coaxed Wanda out of retirement to sing duet on a couple of the album's tracks. Wanda toured with Rosie behind the album, and it gave Wanda a jump start in resuming her own career. She began touring clubs again, and released a live album recorded during a show the previous December in NYC in the early part of 2003, Live And Still Kickin.' 

Having proved she was still in top form and has lost nothing over the years, Wanda returned to the studio, and the resulting Heart Trouble is her first studio release in 15 years. Produced by John Wooler, he used vintage microphones and analog recording to lend an authentic sound to Heart Trouble, but in reality, nothing more was needed to achieve 'authenticity,' as Wanda's vocals almost eerily haven't changed much over the decades and she sounds as youthful and sassy as when she began recording- trademark growls included.

Heart Trouble is a mix of rockabilly and country and includes reprises of a few of her early hits, a few originals and some well chosen covers. Wanda enlisted the help of a few more contemporary artists to lend a hand. She's backed by The Cramps on a slinky remake of "Funnel of Love" and a raucous rendition of "Riot In Cellblock #9." Elvis Costello makes a return visit to the country genre and provides duet vocals on the shuffling standout weeper, "Crying Time." Dave Alvin contributes his always welcome and stellar guitarwork on "It Happens Every Time," "It'll Be Me," and Wanda's vocals combined with Dave's guitar particularly smoke on a cover of Carl Perkins' "Rockabilly Fever." Wanda's outstanding touring band, The Cadillac Angels, back her on "Hard Headed Woman" that proves to be a disc highlight. Rosie Flores contributes backing vocals on a few songs and duets with Wanda on the terrific "Woman Walk Out The Door," that also features some hot guitar licks by Stray Cat Lee Rocker. 

Wanda shines even without any 'guest' help. She serves up a healthy portion of sassy independence on the rockabilly title track, "Heart Trouble," "Mean Mean Man," "Lonely For You" and the rowdy "Let's Have A Party." She provides a few more conventional country songs with a standout cover of the Louvin Brothers' "Cash On The Barrelhead" that features some tasty steel licks from John McFee, "Anytime You Wanna Fool Around," and the shuffling "What Gives You The Right (To Do Me Wrong)." For good measure, Wanda tosses in the soulful gospel number, "Walk With Me."

It's good to find that some things haven't changed and with Heart Trouble, Wanda Jackson has reaffirmed her title as the undisputed Queen of Rockabilly- and then some.

(Special note: In addition to the CD version, CMH Records has pressed 2,000 LPs of Heart Trouble. This is a limited edition record. Once these special, collector LPs are sold they will no longer be available.)

Standout Tracks:  "Heart Trouble," "Cash On The Barrelhead," "Woman Walk Out The Door," "Crying Time," "Riot In Cellblock #9," "Hard Headed Woman," "Lonely For You," "Rockabilly Fever," "It'll Be Me

The Last Word:  The original Rockabilly Filly returns in top form with a vengence.

On The Net:  www.wandajackson.com

AnnMarie Harrington TakeCountryBack January 2004