IT'S A WANDA-FUL LIFE
July 06 2011
Vault Package number nine…number nine…number nine.
Back in January we hosted the estimable Wanda Jackson live here at Third Man Records. With a crack band behind her (Jack White and the Third Man House Band) they tore through the classic standbys of Wanda’s career as well as showcasing the tracks featured on her acclaimed new album “The Party Ain’t Over”
For all of your folks who weren’t able to make it to the show at Third Man we’re making that evening’s activities the bulk of our Vaultrn9 package. The audio recording of that evening will be presented with beautifully designed artwork (complete with printed inner sleeve) while the vinyl itself will be pressed on black-and-blue split-colored vinyl.
You’ve got your audio fix, but what about your peepers? Fear not my visual-focused friend…the bonus item in this quarter’s Vault package is a full-on DVD of that same Wanda Jackson show we just described very succinctly one paragraph ago! But this time…you can see it! Produced by Roger Pistole, the entirety of the footage is stylistically in line with the previously released “Riot in Cell Block #9” segment. That’s lots of fancy talk for “this stuff looks boss as all get-out.”
For our 7” this time around we’ve really dug deep into the Vault. In 1998 there was a band called Two-Star Tabernacle featuring Dan and Tracee Miller, Damian Lang and Jack White. Dan and Tracee would go on to really make their mark with their fantastic band Blanche and Damian was well-known for his work on the first two Detroit Cobras records.
The only officially released Two Star Tabernacle music was a 7” that paired the band with legendary soul singer Andre Williams. They covered the Hank Williams standard “Ramblin’ Man” backed with one of Andre’s old comedy songs called “Lily White Mama, Jet Black Daddy”
Our 7” release is the previously unheard version of Two Star Tabernacle and Andre Williams performing “The Big Three Killed My Baby” backed with Jack and Dan’s original demo recording of “Ramblin’ Man".
Jack White originally penned “The Big Three” with Andre inrnmind. The singer guested live with Two Star on a version of “16 Tons” and thatrnled to him wanting to work with Two Star on something “controversial.” Williams’rnsuggestions of “I Can’t Repay My Student Loan” and “What If I Was Gay? WouldrnYou Love Me Anyway?” fell by the wayside but White was inspired enough to penrn“The Big Three Killed My Baby” for the occasion.
Complete with Andre’s original spoken word intro (he name drops El Nino!) and a reference to Jimmy Dodge that was edited out of the Stripes’ version, what exists is a rich, full-band arrangement of “The Big Three” that’s been buried for over ten years. We’re sure you’re gonna love it.
On the “Ramblin’ Man” flip side be sure to keep your ears open to hear Meg White talking about her dog Elroy in the background before the song starts.
Wanda Jackson tracklist:
Raunchy (instrumental)
Riot in Cell Block #9
I’m Busted
You Know That I’m No Good
Like a Baby
Right or Wrong
Fujiyama Mama
Funnel of Love
Blue Yodel #6
Let’s Have a Party
Shakin’ All Over
The Third Man House Band:
Ruby Amanfu (backing vocals) - Sam and Ruby, Grammy-nominated songwriter (Nashville)
Ashley Monroe (backing vocals) - solo country artist/songwriter (Nashville)
Jack White (guitar) - former upholsterer (Nashville)
Rich Gilbert (pedal steel) - Frank Black and the Catholics, Human SexualrnResponse (Nashville)
Dominic Davis (bass) - Steppin In It, Rachael Davis (Lansing)
Justin Carpenter (trombone) - Kelly Clarkson, Denver and the Mile HighrnOrchestra (Nashville)
Leif Shires (trumpet) - Kelly Clarkson, Jaimee Paul (Nashville)
Craig Swift (saxophone) - Salvador (Nashville)
Olivia Jean (guitar) - the Black Belles, Karen Elson (Detroit)
Joey Waronker (drums) - Beck, REM (Los Angeles)
Joe Gillis (keys) - Frijid Pink (Detroit)
Two Star Tabernacle with Andre Williams:
Andre Williams (Fortune Records/Motown)
Dan Miller (Goober and the Peas, Blanche)
Tracee Miller (Blanche)
Damian Lange (the Detroit Cobras, Elvis Hitler)
Jack White (amateur dentist)
