My Amazon Reviews: Crhis Isaak "Beyond The Sun"

I'll Follow The Sun
3 Out Of 5 Stars

Early in Chris Isaak's career, there was a common critical dig that Chris was a slavish Elvis impersonator with a jones for Roy Orbison heartache. His videos for "Dancin'" and "Blue Hotel" did little to dispel that notion, despite that his second album had already shown Chris to be an astoundingly good singer and rapidly coming into his own as a songwriter. "Wicked Game," which out-Orbisoned Roy finally pushed the comparisons aside and made Chris a star. But he never shed that love of the Sun Sound, which followed his albums as he delivered them over the last three decades.

It's on "Beyond The Sun" that Chris pays homage to his old 45's. A chance comment by Sam Phillips that he was a fan of Chris' musical style and sincerity made Chris decide to gather his band, bone up on those classic Sun Studio 45's and make a trip to Memphis to record them on their home turf. I went for the double disc edition as a long-time fan and, while not disappointing, feel a bit awkward at rating the set higher than 3 stars. If you're going to dig into classics from Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, or Jerry Lee Lewis, you have to wonder if Chris wanted to claim them for himself or just make a record of tributes? "I Can't Help Falling In Love" (Presley) is such a stunning recreation that you could easily fool friends into thinking it's the King himself. Johnny Cash isn't quite the same, but Chris takes "Ring of Fire" and does little to change the song from the sound of its original single.

Lesser known material fares better. Songs like "Dixie Fried" (Carl Perkins) or "So Long I'm Gone" (Warren Smith) help to balance the familiarity factor. Chris also chips in an original titled "Lovely Loretta," a cool bit of Memphis swing. Michelle Branch shows off her chops with a duet on "My Happiness" (Presley), a highlight on the set. All across "Beyond The Sun," Isaac delivers convincing performances and shows his reverence for the material. It's thoroughly enjoyable, just don't expect transcendence.

   

My Amazon Reviews: Wanda Jackson "The Party Ain't Over"

Needed more ripping, less contemplation  
3 Out Of 5 Stars

Jack White is back in the respect your elders phase of his production psyche, giving 50's rockabilly Queen Wanda Jackson a spin in his Third Man stable. I was lucky enough to see Mrs. Jackson play live this year at a festival, and have to admit, wasn't expecting much. After all, the woman taking the stage is in her mid-70's, so the best I was figuring on was a jukebox experience.

Boy, was I wrong. She came on stage and burned the audience to a cinder.

Her voice might be catching up, her energy and performing skills are still at dynamo stage. Hence, went right home and picked up a copy of "The Party Ain't Over," which Wanda described from the stage as being produced by White with "a velvet brick." Like he did for Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose," White surrounds Jackson with elements that would seem perfect to her past, at the same time throwing in curve-balls that throw you for a loop. Sometimes it works (her bluesed out cover of Amy Winehouse's "You Know I'm No Good," the rockabilly standard "Nervous Breakdown") and just as often, not. Why cover "Rum and Coca-Cola" at all? And while Jackson has made a latter day career singing on the country-gospel circuit, "Dust on The Bible" falls flat.

There is also the question of White's production. Jackson is a force of nature, therefore, the Phil Spector wall of sound that buries some of these songs is reverb and horns weighs "Busted" (another odd selection) and "Teach Me Tonight" down. She fares so much better on Bob Dyaln's "Thunder On The Mountain" (allegedly recommended to her straight from Dylan) because White and Wanda manage to balance each other. You get the impression that White was maybe over-thinking the album when all he really needed to do was bring in Jackson's live band and record them studio verite. Jackson may be 73 years old, but she can still rip it up.