The Wanda Jackson Show: Live and Still Kickin' is a live album by American recording artist Wanda Jackson. It was released on March 25, 2003 via the Digital Club Network and contained a total of 27 tracks. The album was recorded in New York City nearly a year prior and marked Jackson's first American live record in over two decades. It was also the third live album of her career. The disc received positive reviews from critics following its release.
Background and content
Wanda Jackson had not recorded a live album for the American market in over 20 years.[3] She had previously released a live project with Capitol Records in 1969 that had been issued in North America.[4] She then released a second live disc in 1989 for her European fan base.[5] On December 7, 2002, she appeared at the Village Underground in New York City (and later at Arlene Grocery) where she ultimately recorded her third live project. The project was recorded when Jackson was sixty five years old. It was produced by Brad Navin and Usher Winslett. It also featured Jackson's touring band named The Party Timers.[6]
Live and Still Kickin' was released on March 25, 2003 on the Digital Club Network, a New York label formally titled DCN. It was issued as a compact disc and marked Jackson's third live recording in her career.[6] It was also her 71st album in total.[3] The album was received positively by music critics and journalists. Andrew Gilstrap of PopMatters praised Jackson's vocal performance and was surprised to find her to have youthful energy: "Not only is she alive, but she’s in her mid-60s with a surprising amount of her presence and vocal range intact — especially her trademark growl."[2] Ken Burke of Country Standard Time commented that "the 65-year-old Oklahoma legend transforms her live nightclub set into an entertaining mini-history lesson."[7]
Rock critic Robert Christgau explained that the album "offers proof aplenty that she [Jackson] remains likable, lively, and spunky."[8] Although no formal review was given by AllMusic, the music website rated the album three stars out of five.[1]
