Monday, April 18, 2011

Dylan Cover #11 Wanda Jackson "Thunder On The Mountain"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune comes from Wanda Jackson and is a recent cover of "Thunder On The Mountain"

Thoughts on Dylan Original:
The opening track on Dylan's 2006 album Modern Times, "Thunder On The Mountain" has all the ingredients of a classic; ingenious word play, a rhythmic backbone and some sweet fret work.  In my original review of Modern Times I quoted three sets of lyrics from this tune.  It is epic and fits in with the heavyweights of Dylan's past.  
Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Wanda Jackson is the "Queen of Rockabilly" and the newest reclamation project from Jack White who did wonders on Loretta Lynn's Van Lear Rose in 2004.  Jackson is a legend and really cooked back in the day, I love "Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad" and "Fujiyama Mama" and think her early career in particular is pretty dam amazing.  Her songs had a hip appeal and put the women folk right there with the guys when it came to the world of rock and roll.  She was never that well remembered until her recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and this release.    

Thoughts on Cover:
I gotta say this one is intense, except for one aspect...and that's Wanda's voice.  While it had a great growl and flair early in her career, now at almost 75 her vocals actually sound clearer but are the weakest aspect of this cover.  My man-crush Jack White has put together a killer group of musicians and a musical arraignment that lights a fire under the original.  Adding such a powerful horn part is so inspired that I hope Bob steals it for future performances.  When Jack himself starts ripping at 1:42 it gives goose bumps as his guitar is dirty, electric and alive.  Had White himself or even Dylan taken the lead vocals this would be an all-time classic, as it stands it is still great, but Wanda seems a bit out of her league here.  The bond between White and Dylan is palpable and hopefully a future collaboration between the two is in the works...holy god my head would explode if that one went down... 

Grade: Overall B+  Music is an A++++ singing gets a C in my book...

Wilsons Take:

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