The Jukebox Rebel

For this LP, Wanda turned her hand to a full set devoted to cover versions of love ballads. Not the most appealing prospect on paper it has to be said, but if anyone can, Wanda can. She makes a very decent fist of it, with more than a few pass marks and some moments of brilliance. “Since I Met You Baby” (Ivory Joe Hunter, 1956) is a first-half stunner; she reinvents the edgy blues original with a soft and gentle country treatment which works surprisingly well. “Little Things Mean A Lot” (Kitty Kallen, 1954) is a highlight from side 2. Kitty’s original will always have my heart, but Wanda’s vocal feels it beautifully. “What Am I Living For” (Chuck Willis, 1958) steals the show – old habits die hard and hearing Wanda sing the blues does it best for me. This lady sure is tasteful.

The Jukebox Rebel
09–Aug–2015

A1	[02:32] Wanda Jackson - Please Love Me Forever (Ollie Blanchard, Johnny Malone) Pop Ballad
A2	[02:50] Wanda Jackson - Funny How Time Slips Away (Willie Nelson) Country
A3	[02:42] Wanda Jackson - Since I Met You Baby (Ivory Joe Hunter) Country
A4	[02:36] Wanda Jackson - Pledging My Love (Ferdinand Washington, Don Robey) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
A5	[02:32] Wanda Jackson - The Things I Might Have Been (Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman) Country
A6	[02:45] Wanda Jackson - May You Never Be Alone (Hank Williams) Country
B1	[02:41] Wanda Jackson - How Important Can It Be? (Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss) Pop Ballad
B2	[02:37] Wanda Jackson - I May Never Get To Heaven [album version ’63] (Buddy Killen, Bill Anderson) Pop Ballad
B3	[03:23] Wanda Jackson - Little Things Mean A Lot (Edith Lindeman, Carl Stutz) Crooner / Cabaret
B4	[02:40] Wanda Jackson - What Am I Living For (Fred Jay, Art Harris) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
B5	[02:25] Wanda Jackson - These Empty Arms (Ivory Joe Hunter) Country
B6	[02:09] Wanda Jackson - Have You Ever Been Lonely (George Brown, Peter DeRose) Country

ratings by TJR