Known as the queen of rockabilly, Wanda Jackson is widely considered the first woman to record a rock 'n' roll song: 1958's "Let's Have a Party." A singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist, Jackson became a pioneer for her mix of country and rockabilly music. This approach served her well in the mid-1960s, as rockabilly began to decline in popularity.
Jackson produced a succession of country hits, including "A Woman Lives for Love," "Fancy Satin Pillows" and "Tears Will Be the Chaser of Your Life." In 2009, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Last fall, Jackson released her 31st studio album, Unfinished Business, produced by singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle. Here, Jackson performs a few tracks from the record and sits down with host David Dye to discuss the difference between recording with Earle and recording with Jack White.
Tracklisting
(( )) for interlude music
HOUR 1
Josh Ritter "Joy To You Baby" The Beast In Its Tracks
The Last Bison "Switzerland" Inheritance EP
Richard Thompson "Good Things Happen to Bad People" Electric
Elvis Presley "That’s All Right" The Sun Sessions
Rosie Flores "Crazy Mixed Emotions" Rockabilly Filly
((Wanda Jackson "Tore Down" Recorded Live for the World Cafe))
Wanda Jackson "Tore Down" Recorded Live for the World Cafe
Wanda Jackson "Am I Even A Memory?" Unfinished Business
Wanda Jackson "It’s All Over Now" Recorded Live for the World Cafe
Wanda Jackson "Rock Your Baby" Recorded Live for the World Cafe
((Wanda Jackson "It’s All Over Now" Recorded Live for the World Cafe))
Jack White "I’m Shakin’" Blunderbuss
Los Lobos "Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes" By the Light of the Moon
The Lone Bellow "You Never Need Nobody" The Lone Bellow
((Carl Perkins "Perkins Wiggle" Best of Sun Rockabilly Vol. 2))
HOUR 2
The Rolling Stones "Miss You" Some Girls
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds "We No Who U R" Push the Sky Away
Leonard Cohen "Everybody Knows" I’m Your Man
Father John Misty "Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings" Fear Fun
((Minus the Bear "My Time" Omni))
David Bowie "Where Are We Now?" The Next Day
Oasis "Wonderwall" (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
The Joy Formidable "This Ladder Is Ours" Wolf’s Law
((Trey Anastasio "Frost" Recorded Live for the World Cafe))
Calexico "Fortune Teller" Recorded Live for the World Cafe
John Fogerty "Old Man Down the Road" Centerfield
Jerry Garcia "The Wheel" Garcia
Wild Belle "Keep You" Isles
Bodeans "Fadeaway" Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams
The Alabama Shakes "I Found You" Boys & Girls