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Concert Review: Wynonna |
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Reviewed by Jolene Downs
Wynonna brought her high-energy show to Valdosta, GA on July 21, 2001. It was at the Wild Adventures Theme Park, and I arrived early to meet friends and to set my chair in a good spot for the show. The show wasn't set to start until 7:00 pm, but by 10:00 am there were already several chairs sitting prominently towards the front of the stage. I spent the day catching up with some friends and enjoying the hot Georgia sunshine. We finally had to take a ride on the river rafts to cool off a little. At 7:00 pm the show kicked off with opening act The Marie Sisters. After their 30 minute set, and another 30 minute break, Wynonna hit the stage at just after 8:00 pm.
If I had to describe Wynonna with just one word, it would be "attitude." Her show described in two words would be that "it rocks!" Wynonna is absolutely unique and I love her shows. Since going solo, she no longer sticks to the country format, although she doesn't deny her roots. Her voice is incredibly powerful and she seems to keep her full vocal potential on a tight reign. I half believe that she could blow a few amps if she really let it go. Don't get me wrong, I am a staunch country music fan, but there is just something about Wynonna. She sings with her entire heart and soul, she sings what feels right for her and there are no apologies for who she is or the material she chooses to sing. Throughout her show she keeps telling her audience to never give up their dreams. If anyone knows what she is talking about there, it would be Wynonna Judd.
She came onstage in a snakeskin print jacket over a brown velvet material blouse and slacks. She had on platform shoes to match her jacket. Wynonna just oozes attitude as she struts around the stage. She makes eye contact frequently with members of the audience during key parts of her music and her face is very expressive. The audience was cracking up when she messed around a little with the security guard that was watching over the front. He was sitting down facing away from stage, but would turn around every so often so he could watch her. At one point, she pointed towards the audience and made a face like someone was doing something bad. When he turned around, she wiggled her eyebrows at the audience and they started laughing. So began the "war" between the security guard and Wynonna. She definitely seemed to be in a great mood.
Just when you think that Wy is completely attitude, she starts talking about God and family. She is extremely family oriented and God seems to be number one in her life. She plays the role of big sister to the hilt. It is her job to pick on Ashley, just in case Ashley should forget where she came from. But she sat down and sang a song that she wrote for Ashley that is to be included on her upcoming album. It was a beautiful song, although I'm not sure of the title. It may be something along the lines of "You Are." Another part of her show that I enjoy is when she brings a member of the audience up onstage to help her with "Rock Bottom." She did this at the first show I went to, and I was wondering if it were a standard thing for her - and apparently it is. She picks someone out (I'm not sure just how random it is) and they come up on stage to sing the song and show their stuff. They have Wy's microphone, Wy's band and Wy's backup singers. What more could someone ask for? It is a fun thing to watch. The two people I've seen chosen really got into the song and had a lot of fun with it.
All in all, I would highly recommend a Wynonna concert if you like a little variety and don't mind surprises here and there. She is a one-of-a-kind performer and you never know what will happen in her show. As far as the shows I've gone to, she is definitely in the top 5 of my list of favorites. I love the high-energy sound as well as her incredibly powerful version of "How Great Thou Art." I like that song in general, but when she sings it I get goose bumps from the power she has in her voice. It is AWESOME! "How Great Thou Art," along with "Testify to Love," are the two songs she performs in her encore. You leave the show feeling absolutely energized from the performance. Below is the song list from her show. She also performed about five other songs that I didn't recognize and couldn't find the names. It is possible they were covers from other artists.
Set List:
- Somebody to Love
- New Day Dawning
- She Was His Only Need
- Tell Me Why
- Rock Bottom
- You Are (not sure on title)
- Help Me
- No One Else On Earth
- Burnin' Love (she performs this in the Disney movie Lilo & Stitch)
- How Great Thou Art (Encore)
- Testify to Love (Encore)
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