Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
A Guest Contribution
by Michael Allan
One of my earliest musical memories is singing along to the Judds’ Rockin’ With the Rhythm album as a child in the car. Unfortunately, the world’s most famous mother-daughter duo was forced to end their career early in 1991 when Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis. To this day, however, their catchy songs still get plenty of “spins” on my iPod.
Even if Wynonna had never pursued a solo career after the Judds, her place in country music’s history would have been secure. However, I for one am so happy she did continue to sing and make music after her mother’s retirement. Her voice has a distinct personality, yet her catalog is eclectic. You never really know what to expect when Wy releases a new album – except that it will most likely be good.
However, beyond her music (which you will read about below), being the woman in a poster on my teenage bedroom wall and being my first autograph (scored by my grandmother when the CMA Music Festival was still called Fan Fair), I have a great deal of respect for Wynonna the person. She devotes countless hours of time to charities such as YouthAIDS and faces potential scandals and her personal struggles with remarkable candor and humor, all the while sharing the gift of her voice with us.
#25
“Why Now”
from The Other Side (1997)
We’ve all been there or know someone who has. You can’t help loving someone, even if you know they’re bad for you. Wynonna’s voice and singing style capture the emotions and feelings of pain that go along with it. One of the Judds’ later singles from Love Can Build a Bridge that is often overlooked, “One Hundred and Two”, is similar in spirit and comes highly recommended.
#24
“Father Sun”
from Tell Me Why (1993)
With cryptic lyrics co-written by Sheryl Crow, this pop nugget has an almost mystical quality to it.
#23
“Always Will”
from The Other Side (1997)
Wynonna’s voice is in fine form on the closing tune from her 1997 album. It glides comfortably over the lyrics and a strumming guitar. A love song filled with promises, it is a wish that, from time to time as love evolves, you will be surprised by how new, exciting and powerful it can still be. Maybe Wynonna even viewed this as a love song to her children.
#22
“Attitude”
from Her Story: Scenes from a Lifetime (2005)
The title says it all in this one. This rockin’, defiant anthem is her last Top 40 hit to date.
#21
“Woman to Woman”
from Tammy Wynette Remembered (1998)
Wy’s soulful, sultry take on a classic, from the First Lady of Country Music.
#20
“Sing”
from Sing Chapter 1 (2009)
To celebrate her 25th anniversary in the music business Wynonna released a stellar collection of covers (Her take on Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” and Dionne Warwick’s “Anyone Who Had a Heart”, in particular, are worth seeking out.). Here the master interpreter takes on the project’s title cut and lone new song, written by the great Rodney Crowell.
#19
“Girls With Guitars”
from Tell Me Why (1993)
Mary Chapin Carpenter penned this ode for all the women who’ve played their guitars instead of pursuing law school and medicine (even you, Taylor Swift). An empowering anthem like this makes me miss the 90s which was a much better decade for women in country music than the last ten years have been. Lyle Lovett sings background vocals.
#18
“Free Bird”
from Skynyrd Frynds (1994)
The Holy Grail of rock songs (Dolly Parton’s take on “Stairway to Heaven” notwithstanding.). Taking on this epic, iconic anthem is a daunting task, but Wynonna makes it work. It’s hard not to be entranced by the way her voices wraps around the guitar. For another fine example of Wy’s ability to effectively tackle rock songs, track down her version of Dire Strait’s “Water of Love” from the Judds’ River of Time album.
#17
“Heaven Help My Heart”
from Revelations (1996)
Co-written by Australian pop star Tina Arena, it’s no coincidence this is one of Wynonna’s most pop sounding songs. I’m betting the gusto of her strong voice almost blew the roof off the studio the day she recorded this earnest plea for love. My favorite part of this almost six minute song is when she hums her way into the third line of the second verse.
#16
“You Are”
from Someone Like You (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2001)
Wynonna had a hand in writing this mid-tempo, moving dedication to her sister Ashley. Here’s hoping we all find someone in life that we love and respect enough to sing this to.
#15
“No One Else On Earth (Club Mix)”
from Collection (1997)
Wy’s signature about love’s ability to crack even the toughest of nuts. This particular mix may sound a little dated, but I like it because you can definitely feel the 90s country (my favorite era)/line dance vibe.
#14
“That Was Yesterday”
from Tell Me Why (1993)
With her signature sly growls and purrs, this bluesy track (written by mother Naomi) is perhaps the best example of Wynonna’s range. It is a scathing done me wrong number that warns against crossing Wy. The nefarious cackle she gives when her man gets what he deserves lets us know that this is a new day and that… was yesterday.
#13
“A Bad Goodbye”
from No Time To Kill (1993)
Wynonna has had a number of great duet partners in her career since going solo (Kenny Rogers, John Berry, Michael English, Tammy Wynette), but none as commercially successful as her pairing with Clint Black. This classic, sad country duet came together as a result of the Black & Wy tour and their voices compliment each other well. A great song made perfect the second you hear Wynonna’s voice enter.
#12
“Rock Bottom”
from Tell Me Why (1993)
With lyrics like “When you hit rock bottom, you’ve got two ways to go: straight and sideways… Straight up is my way,” “When you get down to nothin’, you’ve got nothin’ to lose,” and “A dead end street is just a place to turn around,” this song is more inspiring than any motivational poster I’ve ever seen.
#11
“It’s Never Easy to Say Goodbye”
from Wynonna (1992)
The stories of Jimmy and his mom, Julie Rae and her dad and other lost friends morph into a gospel-esque final verse that would fit right in at church. It was later covered by Kenny Chesney on his 1996 album Me and You.
#10
“Burning Love”
from Disney’s Lilo and Stitch Soundtrack (2002)
I defy you not to shake your hips when listening to Wynonna’s excellent, fun take on the King’s classic. There’s nothing G Rated about this hot ditty.
#9
“Can’t Nobody Love You (Like I Do)”
from New Day Dawning (2000)
This beautiful, piano laden ballad is both soft and sexy and would fit in comfortably on AC radio stations.
#8
“All of That Love From Here”
from Wynonna (1992)
With a prominent mandolin and strong imagery provided by the details, this tune has an almost dreamlike quality. Lyrics about mama and chasing dreams probably took on a significant autobiographical aspect for Wynonna as she was striking out on her own for the first time in her career at this point. (“Sometimes I Feel Like Elvis” from What the World Needs Now Is Love is another example of a song that feels like it could have been written by her.)
#7
“What the World Needs Now”
from What the World Needs Now Is Love (2003)
Some may say the lyrics are clichéd but I find that this song just proves how a sincere, simple message can remain true. I remember this track coming on my iPod one day when I was running on a treadmill and watching a closed captioned CNN report about a school shooting. It put a lump in my throat and brought a tear to my eye.
#6
“She Is His Only Need”
from Wynonna (1992)
This three act story song (reminiscent of the Judds’ “Young Love (Strong Love)”) is the sweet tale of Billy and Bonnie. It served as Wy’s solo debut single and her first number one.
#5
“O Come O Come Emmanuel”
from A Classic Christmas (2006)
Like Celine Dion’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” and Martina McBride’s “O Holy Night” before it, Wynonna’s version of this Christmas standard has now become the definitive version in my book. Wy exercises restraint and bravado at appropriate levels in the right spots. Essential December listening. Also worth checking out during the holidays are “Let’s Make a Baby King” and “Ave Maria”.
#4
“Come Some Rainy Day”
from The Other Side (1997)
You can’t help but be taken back to your childhood and then high school years when listening to this song, even if your experiences aren’t exactly the same as those painted in the lyrics. A gorgeous reminder to remember our dreams. Simply stunning.
#3
“Is It Over Yet”
from Tell Me Why (1993)
Wynonna captures the pain and heartache of breaking up in this lush ballad. Piano, strings and her voice convey an illustration more powerful than even the lyrics suggest. If she’s not going to cry, I just might. A similar song also worth downloading is the smoldering “Don’t Look Back” from Revelations.
#2
“I Want to Know What Love Is”
from What the World Needs Now Is Love (2003)
Our vocal powerhouse’s tour de force. Wynonna really lets loose on this number and shows us what she’s capable of. She’s never sounded better and with Jeff Beck assisting on guitar, listening becomes a downright religious experience. This is no longer Foreigner’s song. It belongs to Wynonna now.
#1
“When I Reach the Place I’m Going”
from Wynonna (1992)
In a morbid sort of way, I’ve always known what song I want played at my funeral. (To be fair, I’m not the only one. My mom has long stated that she wants Willie Nelson’s “What a Wonderful World” played at hers.) Although brief (clocking in at less than three minutes), this song is in the vein of some of the Judds’ greatest spiritual hits (Think “I Know Where I’m Going”.) and in fact, features background vocals by Naomi. Written by Emory Gordy, Jr., it was later covered by his wife Patty Loveless on 2005’s Dreamin’ My Dreams.
Sunday, October 18th, 2009
Country Universe contributor and reader Cory DeStein flagged this rundown from Billboard regarding women on the charts this decade:
PERFECT 10: On Country Songs, Carrie Underwood ropes her 10th top 10, as “Cowboy Casanova” climbs 11-8. With the advance, Underwood now stands alone in first-place for most top 10s on the chart among solo women this decade.
Here are the solo females with the most top 10s on Country Songs since 2000:
10, Carrie Underwood
9, Faith Hill
9, Martina McBride
8, Taylor Swift
7, Sara Evans
7, Reba McEntire
6, Jo Dee Messina
5, LeAnn Rimes
5, Gretchen Wilson
4, Shania Twain
Notably, the artist who led the category among women last decade did so with almost three times as many top 10s. Reba McEntire ranked first among solo women in the ’90s with 27 top 10s on Country Songs. Trisha Yearwood placed second with 18 between 1990 and 1999, and Faith Hill, Patty Loveless and Tanya Tucker each posted 14 in that span.
The decline in fortune for women at radio this decade is even more pronounced when you compare the above top ten to the previous decade:
Most Top Ten Singles by a Female Artist – 1990-1999:
- Reba McEntire (27)
- Trisha Yearwood (18)
- Faith Hill (14)
- Patty Loveless (14)
- Tanya Tucker (14)
- Pam Tillis (13)
- Lorrie Morgan (12)
- Shania Twain (12)
- Wynonna (11)
- Martina McBride (10)
That’s ten women who matched Underwood’s total for this decade. That Underwood didn’t even hit the top ten for the first time until late 2005 shows how bleak it was at radio for female artists this year.
But this comparison doesn’t even tell the whole story. Take a look at the list of women with the most top ten singles two decades ago:
Most Top Ten Singles by a Female Artist – 1980-1989:
- Reba McEntire (23)
- Crystal Gayle (22)
- Dolly Parton (21)
- Janie Fricke (17)
- Barbara Mandrell (17)
- Rosanne Cash (16)
- Emmylou Harris (16)
- Anne Murray (14)
- Tanya Tucker (12)
- Kathy Mattea (10)
Notice the trend? This decade, the top ten women combined for a total of 70 top ten hits. In the 90′s, the top ten women enjoyed a total of 145 top ten hits. In the eighties, a total of 168 top ten hits. Even the nineties list is dominated by women who were played heavily in the earlier part of the decade.
What’s strange is that it was in the mid-nineties that female artists became the dominant commercial force in country music. Janie Fricke never had a gold album. Shania Twain has sold 48 million albums. Yet Fricke had more top ten hits in just the eighties than Shania Twain has earned in her entire career. Record buyers have wholeheartedly embraced Alison Krauss and Miranda Lambert, but despite their strong sales, they’ve each enjoyed only one solo top ten hit.
So what to make of all of this? Is the recent success of Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood an indication that things are improving for women on the radio dial? Is it worth noting that Sugarland and Jennifer Nettles (11 top ten hits) and the Dixie Chicks (14 top ten hits) have done their part to compensate for this lack of gender parity? Does it even matter that radio is playing women less often each decade, especially if record buyers are finding their music anyway?
16 Comments
Category Conversations
Tags: Anne Murray, Barbara Mandrell, Carrie Underwood, Crystal Gayle, Decade in Review, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Faith Hill, Gretchen Wilson, Janie Fricke, Jo Dee Messina, Kathy Mattea, LeAnn Rimes, Lorrie Morgan, Martina McBride, Pam Tillis, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Rosanne Cash, Sara Evans, Shania Twain, Tanya Tucker, Taylor Swift, Trisha Yearwood, Wynonna
Saturday, July 11th, 2009
It’s time for an album sales update, our first since May 23. Brad Paisley is off to a strong start with American Saturday Night, selling 130k in its first week. That’s about 70k less than his previous two studio albums – Time Well Wasted and 5th Gear – opened with, but not a terrible drop-off, considering the state of the music market.
Meanwhile, the new studio albums by Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban are slowing down considerably, now being outpaced on a weekly basis by 2008 releases by Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band, Darius Rucker and Lady Antebellum.
Among younger acts with a new album in 2009, the most impressive sales are coming from Jason Aldean, while 2008 releases from Kellie Pickler, Billy Currington, and Randy Houser are showing new signs of life.
Biggest disappointments? It’s hard not to look in the direction of Martina McBride, who has barely cleared the 100k mark on her new studio set. Lee Ann Womack’s 2008 set just made it over that mark, too. Then again, one only needs to have sold 455 copies to make the chart this week, with the anchor position going to Wynonna with that total. Her covers album Sing – Chapter 1 has sold 41k to date.
Here are the latest totals for albums released over the past three years that are still charting:
2009
- Rascal Flatts, Unstoppable – 842,000
- Keith Urban, Defying Gravity – 452,000
- Jason Aldean, Wide Open – 384,000
- Kenny Chesney, Greatest Hits II – 281,000
- Dierks Bentley, Feel That Fire – 219,000
- Martina McBride, Shine – 104,000
- John Rich, Son of a Preacher Man – 103,000
- Eric Church, Carolina – 94,000
- Rodney Atkins, It’s America – 88,000
- Jake Owen, Easy Does It – 81,000
- Randy Travis, I Told You So: Ultimate Hits – 78,000
- Montgomery Gentry, For Our Heroes – 64,000
- Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel, Willie & The Wheel – 56,000
- Steve Earle, Townes – 47,000
- Colt Ford, Ride Through the Country – 45,000
- Jason Michael Carroll, Growing Up is Getting Old – 45,000
- Wynonna, Sing – Chapter 1 – 41,000
- Hank Williams Jr. – 127 Rose Avenue – 34,000
- Ryan Bingham, Roadhouse Sun – 15,000
- Tracy Lawrence, Rock – 11,000
- Darryl Worley, Sounds Like Life – 8,000
- Holly Williams, Here With Me – 5,000
- Charlie Robison, Beautiful Day – 3,000
- Tanya Tucker, My Turn – 3,000
2008
- Taylor Swift, Fearless – 3,464,000
- Sugarland, Love on the Inside – 1,683,000
- George Strait, Troubadour – 914,000
- Alan Jackson, Good Time – 869,000
- Darius Rucker, Learn to Live – 754,000
- Kenny Chesney, Lucky Old Sun – 721,000
- Zac Brown Band, Foundation – 681,000
- Rascal Flatts, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 – 680,000
- Lady Antebellum, Lady Antebellum – 674,000
- Toby Keith, 35 Biggest Hits – 652,000
- Jamey Johnson, That Lonesome Song – 509,000
- Toby Keith, That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 403,000
- James Otto, Sunset Man – 374,000
- Julianne Hough, Julianne Hough – 314,000
- Kellie Pickler, Kellie Pickler – 261,000
- Dierks Bentley, Greatest Hits – 255,000
- Brad Paisley, Play – 247,000
- Dolly Parton, Backwoods Barbie – 208,000
- Tim McGraw, Greatest Hits Vol. 3 – 206,000
- Billy Currington, Little Bit of Everything – 191,000
- Trace Adkins, X – 185,000
- Montgomery Gentry, Back When I Knew it All – 184,000
- Joey + Rory, Life of a Song – 167,000
- Blake Shelton, Startin’ Fires – 165,000
- Eli Young Band, Jet Black and Jealous – 108,000
- Lee Ann Womack, Call Me Crazy – 102,000
- Craig Morgan, Greatest Hits – 81,000
- Hank Williams III, Damn Right Rebel Proud – 80,000
- Randy Houser, Anything Goes – 79,000
- Lost Trailers, Holler Back – 69,000
2006-2007
- Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift – 4,129,000
- Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride – 2,918,000
10 Comments
Category Crunching the Numbers, News
Tags: Alan Jackson, Asleep at the Wheel, Billy Currington, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Charlie Robison, Colt Ford, Darius Rucker, Darryl Worley, Dierks Bentley, Dolly Parton, Eli Young Band, George Strait, Hank Williams III, Hank Williams Jr., Holly Williams, Jake Owen, James Otto, Jamey Johnson, Jason Aldean, Jason Michael Carroll, Joey + Rory, John Rich, Julianne Hough, Keith Urban, Kellie Pickler, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Lee Ann Womack, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Randy Houser, Randy Travis, Rascal Flatts, Rodney Atkins, Ryan Bingham, Steve Earle, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Tracy Lawrence, Willie Nelson, Wynonna
Sunday, January 25th, 2009
Revised and Updated for 2009
While the Grammys have honored country music from the very first ceremony in 1959, they did not begin honoring by gender until 1965, when the country categories were expanded along with the other genre categories.
This is a look back at the Best Female Country Vocal Performance category. It was first awarded in 1965, an included single competing with albums until the Best Country Album category was added in 1995. When an album is nominated, it is in italics, and a single track is in quotation marks.
I’ve often made the case that female artists were making the best music in the 1990s, and the Grammys did a great job nominating songs and albums that were ignored at the CMA and ACM awards, which is not surprising, given that those shows have so few categories that are actually for songs and albums.
As usual, we start with a look at this year’s nominees and work our way back.
2009
- Martina McBride, “For These Times”
- LeAnn Rimes, “What I Cannot Change”
- Carrie Underwood, “Last Name”
- Lee Ann Womack, “Last Call”
- Trisha Yearwood, “This is Me You’re Talking To”
This year’s lineup includes three former winners and two women looking for their first victory in this category. Martina McBride is in the running for the eighth time in fifteen years, and with one of her more understated performances. Lee Ann Womack returns for a fifth time, having received a nomination for the lead single of her five most recent albums. Both ladies turned in good performances here, but they’ve been overlooked for records bigger and better, so they’re not likely to snap their losing streaks this time around.
As for the previous winners, LeAnn Rimes earned her third consecutive nod, bringing her total to five in this category. She hasn’t won since 1997, when she took home the award for “Blue.” If enough voters hear “What I Cannot Change,” she might have a shot, though the only version of the song that’s been a legitimate hit has been the dance remix.
Trisha Yearwood won in 1998 for “How Do I Live,” her only victory to date. But she’s earned her tenth nomination for “This is Me You’re Talking To,” which is arguably her strongest vocal performance of the ten. Like Rimes, the challenge is getting enough voters to listen to it, but she’s never been more deserving of the victory than she is this year.
Still, the favorite remains Carrie Underwood. She’s quickly become a favorite with Grammy voters, having won this category two years running, along with Best New Artist in 2007. She’s the nominee with the highest profile, and while “Last Name” is nowhere near the same league of “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Before He Cheats” in terms of artistry or impact, it was a big hit, something that the other four entries cannot claim.
If Underwood was nominated for “Just a Dream,” she’d have a mortal lock on this one. But the strength of the other nominees will at least keep this race competitive. If Underwood prevails, Grammy queen Alison Krauss better watch her back.
2008
- Alison Krauss, “Simple Love”
- Miranda Lambert, “Famous in a Small Town”
- LeAnn Rimes, “Nothin’ Better to Do”
- Carrie Underwood, “Before He Cheats”
- Trisha Yearwood, “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love”
Looking at this lineup, you’d think that it was a golden age of female country artists, something akin to the mid-nineties. In reality, only one of these songs was a big radio hit, though three others managed to go top twenty. In terms of quality, however, this is the most consistent and thoroughly wonderful set of nominees this category has seen this century. You’d have to go back to exactly 1999 to find a better lineup.
In a year when any winner would have been deserving, Underwood won for “Before He Cheats,” her second straight win for a signature mega-hit from her debut album.
(more…)
23 Comments
Category Grammys
Tags: Alison Krauss, Angie Aparo, Anne Murray, Barbara Fairchild, Barbara Mandrell, Billie Jo Spears, Brenda Lee, Carlene Carter, Carrie Underwood, Connie Smith, Crystal Gayle, Deana Carter, Deborah Allen, Diana Trask, Dolly Parton, Donna Fargo, Dottie West, Emmylou Harris, Faith Hill, Gretchen Wilson, Holly Dunn, Jamie O'Neal, Jan Howard, Janie Fricke, Jean Shepard, Jeannie C. Riley, Jeannie Seely, Jessi Colter, Jo Dee Messina, Jody Miller, Juice Newton, June Carter Cash, k.d. lang, K.T. Oslin, Kathy Mattea, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Ann Womack, Linda Ronstadt, Liz Anderson, Loretta Lynn, Lorrie Morgan, Lucinda Williams, Lynn Anderson, Marie Osmond, Martina McBride, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mary Kay Place, Miranda Lambert, Molly Bee, Olivia Newton-John, Pam Tillis, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Rosanne Cash, Sammi Smith, Shania Twain, Sheryl Crow, Sissy Spacek, Skeeter Davis, Sylvia, Tammy Wynette, Tanya Tucker, Terri Gibbs, Trisha Yearwood, Wanda Jackson, Wilma Burgess, Wynonna
Saturday, June 21st, 2008
100 Greatest Women
#10
Wynonna (The Judds)
One of the most extraordinary voices in the history of recorded music belongs to Wynonna Judd. As the lead singer of mother-daughter duo The Judds, she was part of the new traditionalist movement that brought country music back to its roots. But when she launched her solo career in 1992, she transformed herself into the most soulful female country singer of her generation.
Wynonna lived in both California and rural Kentucky growing up, and when living in the latter, she would only get along with mother Naomi while the two were singing. Much like the titular character of her solo hit “Girls With Guitars”, it was only singing and playing her guitar that brought her happiness. Wynonna always sang lead, and her mother provided counterpart harmony, where she would sing a mirror of Wynonna’s melody, going up when she went down, and vice versa.
Naomi started a nursing degree while in Kentucky, and she moved Wynonna and sister Ashley back to the West Coast for her to finish her schooling. Even at age fifteen, Wynonna’s stunning vocal prowess was apparent, and Naomi moved the girls to Nashville so she could pursue a recording contract for mother and daughter. While Wynonna was in school, Naomi used every spare moment when she wasn’t working to promote their act, now billed The Judds, and she passed on their demo tape to anybody who would listen.
Soon, the duo was performing on Ralph Emery’s morning show, and when producer Brent Maher’s daughter was a patient of Naomi’s, she slipped a tape his way. He didn’t listen to it immediately, but once he heard it, he flipped. He made arrangements to produce the act and they were soon recording for RCA Records, in a joint partnership with Curb. Wynonna was the youngest person signed to RCA since Elvis Presley, which fit neatly with her desire to be the female Elvis.
(more…)
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