Wynonna sings the classic Silent Night (playing now). Hit the  button to hear Lew Jetton’s favorite version from Mahalia Jackson. |
It wasn’t long afterward that they began putting out hit after hit. I think some of their earlier hits are still some of my favorites: Mama He’s Crazy, Why Not Me and Love Is Alive. Those songs and harmonies stood above the crowd, and even more so today, when so much of what is passed off as country music is, in fact, nothing more than formulated, commercialized, bad rock and pop.
Off stage, Wynonna and Naomi’s lives were much like a country song too, which I found rather ironic and kind of sad, but I really admired them for rising above it all and showing great strength.
When Wynonna struck out on her own, she continued to put out good music. As part of the luxury of success, she was able to stretch her chops, showing off her rock and R&B leanings and talents and transcending attempts to pigeonhole her music.
Now Wynonna has put out a Christmas album. Judds fans (myself included) already have a copy of Christmas Time with the Judds, which came out in the late 80s.
I have to admit, I’m a big fan of Christmas albums and have a nice collection of them at home. Among my favorites: John Prine, Aaron Neville, Emmylou Harris and it’s hard to imagine any rendition of Silent Night as powerful as Mahalia Jackson’s.
I also own some kinda quirky Christmas albums, such as Roomful of Blues’ Roomful of Christmas (which is actually quite good), and albums from Mojo Nixon and from the Brian Setzer Orchestra (which is also very good). I’ve even written a Christmas song or two myself, but haven’t recorded them yet!
I’ll be honest and admit I haven’t heard Wynonna’s Classic Christmas yet, but I’ll make it a point. The Christmas tour she’s doing now sounds like a very special show: peaceful, calming and uplifting. In other words, exactly what Christmas with the family and friends should be!
