Way Out West – Mae West

Even in the mid-'60s, all it took to score a record deal was an enormous rack. Never mind that the bosoms in question belonged to 74-year-old Mae West. On Way Out West the fossilized fox purrs and coos her way through the rock & roll songs those goddamn kids are all listening to these days, delivering renditions of "Day Tripper," "Twist and Shout," and "Shakin' All Over" slathered in her trademark sexpot shtick. In fact, she often disregards the actual lyrics in favor of her classic big-screen catch phrases. Her backing band, the otherwise unknown Somebody's Chyldren, proves surprisingly adept, creating energetic, raw garage rock rave-ups with a ring of authenticity rare among budget-label cash-ins of this type. Still, this is West's show, and if you've ever yearned to hear a saucy septuagenarian rock out, then Way Out West is the album for you. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide