ROANOKE TIMES

                         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


WYNONNA JUDD STRETCHING INTO GREATNESS

In her strongest moments with mama Naomi in the Judds, young Wynonna showed the vocal passion and command to become the most captivating female singer of her generation - pop or country. But how long are we going to have to wait for her to claim the crown?

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