Wynonna – Wynonna and the Big Noise (Album Review)
Rating:
63/100
63/100
Label: Curb
Release
Date: 12 February 2016
Date: 12 February 2016
Chart
Success: Debut #162 Billboard 200; #14 Billboard Top Country Albums (March 5,
2016), 4,700 copies sold.
Success: Debut #162 Billboard 200; #14 Billboard Top Country Albums (March 5,
2016), 4,700 copies sold.
Tracklist:
1. Ain’t
No Thing 2. Cool Ya 3. Things That I Lean On” (featuring Jason Isbell)
No Thing 2. Cool Ya 3. Things That I Lean On” (featuring Jason Isbell)
4.You
Make My Heart Beat Too Fast 5. Staying in Love 6. Keeps Me Alive (featuring
Derek Trucks)
Make My Heart Beat Too Fast 5. Staying in Love 6. Keeps Me Alive (featuring
Derek Trucks)
7. Jesus
and a Jukebox 8. I Can See Everything (featuring Timothy B. Schmit)
and a Jukebox 8. I Can See Everything (featuring Timothy B. Schmit)
9. Something
You Can’t Live Without 10. You Are So Beautiful 11. Every Ending (Is a New
Beginning)
You Can’t Live Without 10. You Are So Beautiful 11. Every Ending (Is a New
Beginning)
12. Choose
to Believe
to Believe
An absolute battle cry
WYNONNA & THE BIG NOISE, which is a self-titled debut
album from Wynonna Judd’s new band was
released just in time for Valentine’s Day, and it was no coincidence. After
marriage, a love story blossomed overcoming challenges that would really test
the strength of any relationship to its core. The album is produced and led by Wynonna’s
husband Cactus Moser (longtime drummer in Highway 101)
album from Wynonna Judd’s new band was
released just in time for Valentine’s Day, and it was no coincidence. After
marriage, a love story blossomed overcoming challenges that would really test
the strength of any relationship to its core. The album is produced and led by Wynonna’s
husband Cactus Moser (longtime drummer in Highway 101)
Technically
this brand new set from the 51-year old Ashland, Kentucky, singer, author,
philanthropist and actress, is her 8th
studio album and her first since Jan 2009’s SING: CHAPTER 1 (although the
album was mostly covers, except for the title track, an original composition by
Rodney Crowell). That album reunited her with producers Brent Maher and Don
Potter, who produced all of The Judds’ 1980s albums.
this brand new set from the 51-year old Ashland, Kentucky, singer, author,
philanthropist and actress, is her 8th
studio album and her first since Jan 2009’s SING: CHAPTER 1 (although the
album was mostly covers, except for the title track, an original composition by
Rodney Crowell). That album reunited her with producers Brent Maher and Don
Potter, who produced all of The Judds’ 1980s albums.
BIG
NOISE marks the first album of original material in 13 years from
country music’s fiery redhead. Released on August 5, 2003 WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS
NOW IS LOVE (Curb / Asylum) her sixth studio album produced four chart singles;
with the title cut reaching #14 on the Billboard country charts. This album was
mostly original music, but it also included some covers of Elvis, Foreigner and
Journey.
NOISE marks the first album of original material in 13 years from
country music’s fiery redhead. Released on August 5, 2003 WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS
NOW IS LOVE (Curb / Asylum) her sixth studio album produced four chart singles;
with the title cut reaching #14 on the Billboard country charts. This album was
mostly original music, but it also included some covers of Elvis, Foreigner and
Journey.
So what had happened to Wynonna the last
decade and what has helped shape WYNONNA & THE BIG NOISE?
decade and what has helped shape WYNONNA & THE BIG NOISE?
She may
have gone off people’s radar so here are the trials and tribulations of the
country singer during that time:
have gone off people’s radar so here are the trials and tribulations of the
country singer during that time:
- Many of
course fondly remember Wynonna rising to fame in the 1980s alongside her
mother, Naomi, in the famed country duo The
Judds. The duo released seven albums on Curb Records and charted 26 singles
(14 were No1s). After The Judds disbanded in 1991, Wynonna started her solo
career, also on Curb. - In July
2004 Wynonna and Naomi Judd re-teamed as The Judds for their only joint
performance that year, headlining Houston’s Fourth of July celebration and
marked their 20th anniversary as a duo. - In 2007 Wynonna’s
estranged husband, D.R. Roach, returned
to Nashville and was taken to jail after being arrested the previous month in
Abilene charged with three counts of aggravated sexual battery against a minor.
Earlier that year Roach entered a rehab facility seeking treatment for drug and
alcohol addiction. According to divorce papers Judd filed she and Roach
separated a few days before he checked into rehab. Judd and Roach had been
married for just over three years, but they had been a couple since 1999. - ELVIS
COMPLEX: In November 2008 she undertook an 18-city run with a Classic Christmas
Tour and it appears had her head on her shoulders that holiday season when buying
gifts for her kids. In the not-so-distant past, her spending got out of control,
and the good fortune she had piled
up during her time in the spotlight was fast in danger of vanishing and
purchasing a journey to the poorhouse. “I had an Elvis complex,” she told ABC News. “I had to buy Harleys and cars. I bought my
Mom a bus.” Realizing she had an issue she dealt with it visiting a
Nashville organization called Onsite, which helped people develop a healthy
relationship with their money. Wynonna cut up her credit cards and worked a new
song into the Christmas tour. Her voice was added, quite aptly, to “Santa
Claus Is Back In Town” on an album Elvis Presley Christmas Duets. - The Judds reunited again in February 2010 and the two
were set to go on tour and release an album. Wynonna made the big announcement
before performing on the broadcast’s pre-Super Bowl show, live from Miami
Beach. - In April
2010 Wynonna released a collection
of her top singles and three new tracks, LOVE HEALS, through Cracker Barrel.
The project was done in conjunction with Wounded Warrior Project and its
efforts to assist wounded service men and women and their families. - In July
2010 Wynonna was in a major head-on
collision in Salt Lake City with her teen-age daughter & tour manager.
Wy said it was a miracle she was alive. - In Jan
2011 Judd travelled to New York making several media appearances for a release
of her debut fictional novel, Restless Heart. The novel chronicled the
life of Destiny Hart, who grappled with love, loss, success and surrender. “I wanted to tell a story of a young woman
with her life unfolding before her, facing incredible challenges and incredible
opportunities, and making good decisions,” explained Wynonna. The work of fiction actually mirrored some
resemblance to the singer’s primary career. - In early
2011 rumours had circulated that Wynonna had a new beau in her life. CMT put
the rumour to rest in March 2011 when the flame-haired songstress confirmed her relationship with Highway
101 drummer Cactus Moser and that
they had been together for 18 months. A DVD, ‘Christmas on Highway 101,’ included
a special appearance by Wynonna, in November 2010. - April
2011 saw her participate in the excellent ACM
Superstar Women of Country taping in Vegas when she and John Fogherty sang
“Proud Mary”. The following month Wynonna surprised her mum Naomi with special
new song “Love It Out Loud” on “The Judds” own season finale. Wynonna co-wrote and produced the track with
Moser to honor the love, affection and appreciation she has towards her mother. - In Dec
2011 Wynonna and Cactus (Photo), her then 54-year boyfriend of two years, proposed to her on Christmas Eve, and
she yes! Judd had been married twice
before. She and her first husband, Arch Kelly III – with whom she had two
children (Elijah, and Grace), split up in 1998, and as stated above she
divorced D.R. Roach in 2007 after four years of marriage. The engagement marked the latest chapter in
a happy comeback for Judd, suffering
two health scares and the head-on car collision. Judd had turned her life
around by losing 55 lbs. and reunited with her mother, for the first Judds tour
in 10 years. - Wynonna married for the third time on Sunday
June 10th 2012, in a private family ceremony, tying the knot with her The Big
Noise band mate, on her Leipers Fork farm (Photo). Her daughter Grace served as maid of
honor. Strangely her mother Naomi and sister Ashley did not attend. “I felt a joy that hasn’t been there before,”
the bride told Us Weekly magazine. Judd admitted her relationship with Naomi
and Ashley Judd was strained. - On Aug
18, 2012 Cactus Moser was involved in a serious
motorcycle accident shortly before Judd was set to perform. The two were
riding separate motorcycles (Judd was riding ahead) when he crossed the center
line and hit a car. Moser was air-lifted to hospital with serious, but non-life
threatening, injuries. However his left leg had to be amputated following the
crash when doctors determined it was necessary to amputate the leg above the
knee. A rep also said Moser had to undergo surgery on his hand, which was of
particular concern being the drummer in Judd’s band - Determination:
Cactus Moser triumphantly returned
to the stage barely three months after the accident playing behind wife,
Wynonna, in Regina, Saskatchewan. It drew a lengthy standing ovation as Wynonna
kicked off of her Rockin’ Christmas tour. - In March
2013 Wynonna was a contestant on Season 16 of Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with all-star season
champ Tony Dovolani but they were the first couple eliminated following a low
scoring 15-point samba.
So fast
forward to February 2016 and the delayed Wynonna and the Big Noise album finally
arrives!
forward to February 2016 and the delayed Wynonna and the Big Noise album finally
arrives!
Moser
said he viewed Big Noise as both “a
left turn” and a return to form for Judd. There was not a conscious
effort to make something that would fit the current country music market trends.
said he viewed Big Noise as both “a
left turn” and a return to form for Judd. There was not a conscious
effort to make something that would fit the current country music market trends.
What
determined the project and song choice was quality and joy. Judd is not only
front and centre performing with a small group led by her hubby and producer but
she was given free rein to let loose with songs she personally hand-picked with
little or no concern for expanding her career with more hits. What you have is
effectively a band album that was mostly recorded live in the studio.
determined the project and song choice was quality and joy. Judd is not only
front and centre performing with a small group led by her hubby and producer but
she was given free rein to let loose with songs she personally hand-picked with
little or no concern for expanding her career with more hits. What you have is
effectively a band album that was mostly recorded live in the studio.
“Getting to do the musical part together,
instead of separate, is a bonus,” shared a pride filled Moser – “When you love what you do and love each
other, it’s perfect.”
instead of separate, is a bonus,” shared a pride filled Moser – “When you love what you do and love each
other, it’s perfect.”
The
album cover art is something of a giveaway with a vintage bi-plane bursting
through a graphic of a drum kit with the roaring and excited singer on the
airstrip with her hands apart with supportive bandmates nearby. Speaking of the
album Wynonna calls it her “absolute
battle cry”. It’s her with fists in the air, saying “I will overcome, that’s what we’ve done.”
album cover art is something of a giveaway with a vintage bi-plane bursting
through a graphic of a drum kit with the roaring and excited singer on the
airstrip with her hands apart with supportive bandmates nearby. Speaking of the
album Wynonna calls it her “absolute
battle cry”. It’s her with fists in the air, saying “I will overcome, that’s what we’ve done.”
On the
rocking bluesy opener “Ain’t No Thing”,
penned by John Scott Sherrill and the buzzworthy and big winning Mr. Chris
Stapleton (country music’s answers to Adele) it sees Wynonna pairing up with
Susan Tedeschi. As Judd growls and belts out the big notes Tedeschi offers a
restrained and soulful harmony. A wailing guitar marks the break-up as a lover
departs like a long freight train. No tears will fall, hardened by those seen
it all before feelings – I could get feeling down, I could cruise
downtown, Find a good place to cry, drink a bottle dry. But what’s the
point? No skies will fall – You know it ain’t no thing.
rocking bluesy opener “Ain’t No Thing”,
penned by John Scott Sherrill and the buzzworthy and big winning Mr. Chris
Stapleton (country music’s answers to Adele) it sees Wynonna pairing up with
Susan Tedeschi. As Judd growls and belts out the big notes Tedeschi offers a
restrained and soulful harmony. A wailing guitar marks the break-up as a lover
departs like a long freight train. No tears will fall, hardened by those seen
it all before feelings – I could get feeling down, I could cruise
downtown, Find a good place to cry, drink a bottle dry. But what’s the
point? No skies will fall – You know it ain’t no thing.
Later on
this 13-song set on “Keeps Me Alive”
penned by Sarah Siskind we see Tedeschi’s husband, Derek Trucks and fellow band
member of The Tedeschi Trucks outfit lend a hand with a soaring slide solo on
the swampy, brooding and questioning track – Will I be dreaming, dreaming? Tomorrow, will I be trembling?
this 13-song set on “Keeps Me Alive”
penned by Sarah Siskind we see Tedeschi’s husband, Derek Trucks and fellow band
member of The Tedeschi Trucks outfit lend a hand with a soaring slide solo on
the swampy, brooding and questioning track – Will I be dreaming, dreaming? Tomorrow, will I be trembling?
On the
gritty “Cool Ya” (writers Lisa
Carver, Andrew Ripp) Wynonna rocks some Middle Eastern vibes playing the role
as a welcoming temptress as she sings Wilted
flower, wounded stone, Rest your weary in these arms cool ya’ and then with
a cry pleads – Let the hallelujah flow
right through When the well runs dry, let the river cool ya’ Cool, cool.
gritty “Cool Ya” (writers Lisa
Carver, Andrew Ripp) Wynonna rocks some Middle Eastern vibes playing the role
as a welcoming temptress as she sings Wilted
flower, wounded stone, Rest your weary in these arms cool ya’ and then with
a cry pleads – Let the hallelujah flow
right through When the well runs dry, let the river cool ya’ Cool, cool.
Fans who
loved Wynonna’s glory days through the 90s will be drawn to the comforting
standout track “Things That I Lean
On“, a duet which features Americana hero Jason Isbell. The song
co-written by hit songwriter Travis Meadows (Dierks Bentley, Jake Owens) references
to a go-to bucket list to help ease the pain through troubled times. It cites Psalm
23, a sleeping pill to rest the mind, a little BB King, God’s grace, nana’s
voice on the telephone, the timeless soul of a Conway song and a shoulder of a
man. The latter is something Judd will share with the sentiment having cited
that Moser and her are “pretty much
together 24/7” and that she hasn’t previously found anyone else’s company
as enjoyable!
loved Wynonna’s glory days through the 90s will be drawn to the comforting
standout track “Things That I Lean
On“, a duet which features Americana hero Jason Isbell. The song
co-written by hit songwriter Travis Meadows (Dierks Bentley, Jake Owens) references
to a go-to bucket list to help ease the pain through troubled times. It cites Psalm
23, a sleeping pill to rest the mind, a little BB King, God’s grace, nana’s
voice on the telephone, the timeless soul of a Conway song and a shoulder of a
man. The latter is something Judd will share with the sentiment having cited
that Moser and her are “pretty much
together 24/7” and that she hasn’t previously found anyone else’s company
as enjoyable!
During
the dark days of Cactus’ motorcycle accident and recovery she shared “I went from Wyonnna the singer to Wynonna
the wife, the nurse, the cook, the driver”. “We’re talking real
down-in-the-trenches, hardcore stuff that you don’t really think you’re gonna
have to go to [in a marriage].”
the dark days of Cactus’ motorcycle accident and recovery she shared “I went from Wyonnna the singer to Wynonna
the wife, the nurse, the cook, the driver”. “We’re talking real
down-in-the-trenches, hardcore stuff that you don’t really think you’re gonna
have to go to [in a marriage].”
On the
raw and flirtatious “You Make My Heart
Beat Too Fast”, written by Julie Miller, with its Tina Turner vibe, it
features Cactus Moser on backing vocals. Bitten by the love drug Wynonna sings:
Baby, I’m psychedelic with the motion,
And I can’t come down
raw and flirtatious “You Make My Heart
Beat Too Fast”, written by Julie Miller, with its Tina Turner vibe, it
features Cactus Moser on backing vocals. Bitten by the love drug Wynonna sings:
Baby, I’m psychedelic with the motion,
And I can’t come down
My heart plays dead but love changes, everything
goes ’round and ’round and ’round and ’round
goes ’round and ’round and ’round and ’round
With its
Stones like opening Wynonna finds her soulful groove and in a good mindset when
covering Raphael Saadiq’s “Staying in Love.” The falling in
love comes easy – You see now, when I met
you, I’m so good now cos you kiss me, Boy, you changed my life, you made me see.
Making a relationship succeed along life’s rocky road is another matter – But staying in love is so tricky
Stones like opening Wynonna finds her soulful groove and in a good mindset when
covering Raphael Saadiq’s “Staying in Love.” The falling in
love comes easy – You see now, when I met
you, I’m so good now cos you kiss me, Boy, you changed my life, you made me see.
Making a relationship succeed along life’s rocky road is another matter – But staying in love is so tricky
The delightful
album highlight “Jesus and a
Jukebox” (Meadows, Jeremy Spillman, David Tolliver) brings to mind
those halcyon days of The Judds. It has a beautiful soothing sound and is an
excellent trademark country weeper. The story relates a tale of a retired
couple (They were two of a kind for the longest time) but “Miss Evelyn” has
sadly departed leaving her companion behind. She’d spent her whole life trying
in vain to make him believe but those Willie [Nelson] songs fell on stony
ground. Now he’s leaning on and learning a different tune. To help his soul on
lonely nights he tenderly carries a cross and drops a quarter in: Jesus
and a jukebox brings comfort to his soul
album highlight “Jesus and a
Jukebox” (Meadows, Jeremy Spillman, David Tolliver) brings to mind
those halcyon days of The Judds. It has a beautiful soothing sound and is an
excellent trademark country weeper. The story relates a tale of a retired
couple (They were two of a kind for the longest time) but “Miss Evelyn” has
sadly departed leaving her companion behind. She’d spent her whole life trying
in vain to make him believe but those Willie [Nelson] songs fell on stony
ground. Now he’s leaning on and learning a different tune. To help his soul on
lonely nights he tenderly carries a cross and drops a quarter in: Jesus
and a jukebox brings comfort to his soul
The
softly, melodic and inward looking “I
Can See Everything” features Eagle Timothy B. Schmit on backing vocals
written when he was a member of Poco. It tells a tale of what might have been: If you could feel the way that I do today,
We could find us a better way
softly, melodic and inward looking “I
Can See Everything” features Eagle Timothy B. Schmit on backing vocals
written when he was a member of Poco. It tells a tale of what might have been: If you could feel the way that I do today,
We could find us a better way
The up-tempo
“Something You Can’t Live Without”
written by Moser and David Lee Murphy was it seems released as a single in March
2013 and may have missed the mark with radio and failed to ignite any media
love. This may explain the delay with releasing new material until now.
“Something You Can’t Live Without”
written by Moser and David Lee Murphy was it seems released as a single in March
2013 and may have missed the mark with radio and failed to ignite any media
love. This may explain the delay with releasing new material until now.
The
gospel flavoured love song “You Are So
Beautiful” (Moser, Ashley Warren) seems to drag its feet and is rather
light weight lyrically with syrupy words: You
are my shining star, You are light behind my eyes, You are the dazzle in my
diamond heart, And I think it’s love
gospel flavoured love song “You Are So
Beautiful” (Moser, Ashley Warren) seems to drag its feet and is rather
light weight lyrically with syrupy words: You
are my shining star, You are light behind my eyes, You are the dazzle in my
diamond heart, And I think it’s love
The collaborative
“Every Ending (Is a New
Beginning)” (Doug Johnson, Wynonna Judd, Billy Montana, Moser) continues
with the slower pace. This track is certainly a grower with repeat plays and
allows you to immerse yourself in its inspirational and encouraging world. As
spirits run free the delicate textures reveal themselves complemented by the
addition of some delightful dobro and pedal steel.
“Every Ending (Is a New
Beginning)” (Doug Johnson, Wynonna Judd, Billy Montana, Moser) continues
with the slower pace. This track is certainly a grower with repeat plays and
allows you to immerse yourself in its inspirational and encouraging world. As
spirits run free the delicate textures reveal themselves complemented by the
addition of some delightful dobro and pedal steel.
The
closer “Choose to Believe”
(Charlie White, Kevin Welch) feels rather heavy-going as it slowly stumbles
across the albums finishing line. It points a way that when times get tough
they are best shared together if we treat each other with respect but that it
closer “Choose to Believe”
(Charlie White, Kevin Welch) feels rather heavy-going as it slowly stumbles
across the albums finishing line. It points a way that when times get tough
they are best shared together if we treat each other with respect but that it
ain’t easy for a woman and a man. Wynonna’s belief is that love is bulletproof and has referred to her other
halve as being positive and calls him her “Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky”.
halve as being positive and calls him her “Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky”.
Recommended for download: Jesus and a Jukebox, Things That I
Lean On, Keeps Me Alive, Every Ending (Is a New Beginning)
Lean On, Keeps Me Alive, Every Ending (Is a New Beginning)
Adrian
Clark for Country Music News International
Clark for Country Music News International