Two Sides of Wanda explained

Two Sides of Wanda
Type:studio
Artist:Wanda Jackson
Cover:Wanda Jackson--Two Sides of Wanda.jpg
Studio:Columbia Studio
Genre:
Label:Capitol
Producer:Ken Nelson
Prev Title:Love Me Forever
Prev Year:1963
Next Title:Blues in My Heart
Next Year:1964

Two Sides of Wanda is a studio album by American recording artist Wanda Jackson. It was released in March 1964 via Capitol Records and contained 12 tracks. It was the sixth studio release of Jackson's career; side one contained rockabilly performances, while side two featured country music selections. The album received a nomination from the Grammy Awards following its release and has since been re-released.

Background and content

In the 1950s, Wanda Jackson became known for her rockabilly selections, some of which became successful like "Fujiyama Mama" and "Let's Have a Party". In 1961, she returned her country music roots. That year she had two top ten country hits with "Right or Wrong" and "In the Middle of a Heartache". Thus, her career shifted back to the genre for the remainder of the decade.[1] Two Sides of Wanda was intended to focus on both her musical identities by putting Rock on one side and Country on the other side of the record.[2]

The album included a total of 12 selections.[3] All of the songs were cover versions of songs first recorded by other artists. According to Jackson, she chose several songs for the album from artists she admired or befriended. Among these songs was "Honey Don't", a Rockabilly track originally by Carl Perkins.[4] Other Rockabilly cuts included Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and Little Richard's "Rip It Up". Among the country selections chosen were Kitty Wells' "Making Believe" and Hank Williams' "Cold, Cold Heart". The album was recorded in July 1963 at the Columbia Studio, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The sessions were produced by Ken Nelson.[2]

Release and reception

Two Sides of Wanda was released in March 1964 on Capitol Records. It marked Jackson's sixth studio album released in her career. The project was originally distributed as a vinyl LP, containing six songs on both sides of the record.[2] In later years, it was re-released with the same track listing to digital and streaming markets, which included Apple Music.[5] Although the album did not receive a formal review by AllMusic, the website did name both "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Cold, Cold Heart" as their "album picks" for the LP.[3] The album also received a nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 7th Annual Grammy Awards. It was Jackson's first nomination from the Grammy's.[6] The project also spawned one single release. In October 1964, "Candy Man" was issued as a single via Capitol Records.[7]

Track listing

Digital version

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Two Sides of Wanda.[2]

Musical personnel

Technical personnel

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
March 1964VinylCapitol Records[8]
2010sCapitol Records Nashville

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wolff . Kurt . Wanda Jackson: Biography & History . . July 14, 2021.
  2. Jackson . Wanda . Two Sides of Wanda (LP Liner Notes and Album Information) . . March 1964 . T-2030.
  3. Web site: Two Sides of Wanda: Wanda Jackson: Songs, reviews, credits . . July 14, 2021.
  4. Book: Bomar . Scott . Jackson . Wanda . Every night is Saturday night : a country girl's journey to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame . 2017 . BMG . United States . 9781947026070.
  5. Web site: Two Sides of Wanda by Wanda Jackson . . July 14, 2021.
  6. Web site: Wanda Jackson: Artist . . July 14, 2021.
  7. Jackson . Wanda . "Candy Man"/"Weary Blues from Waitin'" (7" vinyl single) . . October 1964 . 5287.
  8. Jackson . Wanda . Two Sides of Wanda (LP Liner Notes and Album Information) . . March 1964 . ST-1030.