Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008
I’ve recently finished reading Wy’s autobiography and have re-immersed myself in her solo work, as well as the music of The Judds. As one-half of The Judds, Wynonna scored over a dozen #1 country hits, 6 Grammys and 8 CMA awards, among many other accolades. Since her solo debut in 1991, Wynonna has recorded some of the greatest songs of the 1990s and beyond. Her debut album sold 5 million copies and spawned 3 consecutive #1’s as well as another top 5 single. She has since released 6 studio albums, a Christmas album, and a Judds reunion album recorded live in 1999. Though her music later enveloped the influences of jazz, blues, rock, soul, and even some Appalachian elements – the influences of almost every form of American music – she has proven she has the voice to pull off each of these styles ably and competently.
Also, Wynonna’s latest album, Sing: Chapter 1 is in stores today. The disc is a collection of covers made famous by country, blues, and rock artists – songs dating back to the 1920s, the 1950s, 1970s and on. And Wynonna delivers some stunning performances. So what better time to showcase one of my favorite artists than right now? Throughout the month of February, we’ll be featuring Wynonna as our Spotlight Artist with reviews, discussions, and (hopefully) an interview with Miss Wynonna herself. So, don’t forget to pick up the new album and enjoy the next 4 weeks as we submerse ourselves in Wynonna Judd.
Sing: Chapter 1
Visit Wynonna’s official site.
And also, check out Wynonna’s MySpace Page.
My Kind of Country 
Is she planning on doing another covers album after this one, e.g., Sing: Chapter 2?
YEA!! Wynonna is one of my favorites–I can’t wait for all of the spotligts. Let me know if I can help with any of it…
I prefer Wy’s work with The Judds and her earlier work, but I still follow her career with enthusiasm. I liked much of her “What The World Needs Now album, with the glaring exception of the “I Wanna Know What Love Is” cover. I really dislike eighties music (especially eighties monster ballads) though, so I’m pretty biased there.
I also prefer her work with the Judds. I bought her first two solo albums and sort of lost interest in her after that. Most of the music she’s done over the past 15 years has been rather boring, IMO. She’s got a wonderful voice; it’s a shame she’s wasted it on so much substandard material.
I haven’t heard any of her solo material, but I love her Judds work (I have both Greatest Hits albums and Love Can Build A Bridge). So far, I don’t love sing- but I haven’t heard much of it yet.
“I also prefer her work with the Judds. I bought her first two solo albums and sort of lost interest in her after that. Most of the music she’s done over the past 15 years has been rather boring, IMO. She’s got a wonderful voice; it’s a shame she’s wasted it on so much substandard material.”
That’s pretty much how I feel.
Chris, Wynonna’s solo material does have a different feel from her work with her mother, a bit more bluesy from the start. But the first two albums she did alone were very good, with some excellent songs. After that she got a little self-inulgent, imo, and moved away from country music to a considerable degree. I haven’t tried listening to Sing yet.
When the Judds were still together, I used to think that Naomi was just window dressing and that Wy didn’t really need her. Wy’s musical direction changed dramatically after Naomi retired. I don’t know if it’s because Naomi had so much input into what the Judds recorded, or if it was due to the label and producer changes that occurred when Wy went solo. But she really did stray away from country music and she has never really come back.
JR, as you’ve read the autobiography, does that shed any light on how much influence Naomi had over their musical direction when the duo was still going?
Actually, she does, Occasional Hope. She flat out states that Naomi was the one going to the meetings, and planning everything. She pretty much says she only showed up and sang in those days. And it was only after she and Naomi disbanded AND she fired the Judds’ manager, Ken Stilts, that she drastically changed her musical direction.
So I think it’s safe to say Naomi Judd was more influential to the sound of the Judds than most people think.
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