Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: SATURDAY, May 8, 1993 TAG: 9305080076 SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: C12 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: ROBERT HILBURN LOS ANGELES TIMES DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
One essential element in becoming a great singer is great material, and Judd showed a surprising timidity in selecting songs for last year's solo debut. Things start slowly again on the follow-up: The first three songs of "Tell Me Why" (Curb/MCA) are familiar tales of romantic confusion and personal resolve, and Judd's interpretations are merely coolly professional.
Suddenly, however, she stretches out boldly with a pair of exceptional Jesse Winchester tunes, including "Just Like New," an offbeat look at the lingering Elvis Presley legend. When she follows with Kimmie Rhodes' nostalgia-tinged "I Just Drove By" and Naomi's fiery "That Was Yesterday," the results are chilling.
"I Just Drove By" is a can't-miss No. 1 country single, but it's "Yesterday" - a powerful song about walking away from an abusive relationship - that best showcases the younger Judd's gifts. In a masterful performance that incorporates elements of country, blues and jazz, she offers a show-stopping glimpse of what appears to be an almost unlimited potential.
by CNB