Love Can Build a Bridge

Love Can Build a Bridge

ASIN: B000002P3J

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
The final original album by the Kentucky/California mother-daughter duo, released in 1990 around the time Naomi Judd realized that illness would soon force her retirement, finds the Judds a bit past their prime. A key component of country's mid-'80s artistic revitalization with harmony showcases such as "Why Not Me" and daughter Wynonna's uptempo growlers ("Turn It Loose," "Have Mercy"), the Judds had settled into a routine at this stage, combining ordinary ballad snoozers like "Are the Roses Not Blooming" with by-the-numbers boogie-fests like "This Country's Rockin'." Not to mention the title track extravaganza, a sincere, gospel-infused, platitudinous, somewhat overblown ballad that lacks only Ken Kragen, a trendy cause, and an all-star choir to qualify for full charity-anthem status. There are still plenty of entries for the highlight reel here, however, notably the Celtic-flavored "Calling the Wind," the snappy "Talk About Love," and the Bonnie Raitt-aided blues chugger "Rompin' Stompin' Blues." And the gorgeous, Everlys-style ending of the otherwise unremarkable "In My Dreams" reminds us what a vocal treasure the Judds were at their best. --Ken Barnes

Tracks:

Born To Be Blue
Calling In The Wind
In My Dreams
Rompin' Stompin' Blues
Love Can Build A Bridge
This Country's Rockin'
One Hundred & Two
John Deere Tractor
Talk About Love
Are The Roses Not Blooming

Album Description

The Judd's 1990 album reissued on Curb Records for a super low price. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

"Love" Builds Another Bridge of Success for the Judds.......2004-03-31

Prime Cuts: Are the Roses Not Blooming, Love Can Build a Bridge, Talk About Love

Country music has never been conducive to duos. Save for Brooks and Dunn, JJ White, Thrasher Shriver, the Kinleys, the Larkins, Corbin/Hanner, Darryl and Don Ellis, the Lynns, Brother Phelps, Turner Nichols have come and gone without causing much of a dent on the genre's charts. Not so with the Judds. Right through the 80s, this mother and daughter duo was a mainstay in country music: winning every conceivable awards for vocal duos, frequented the lofty heights of the country charts and their concerts were of blockbuster success. Part of their indelible success can be attributed to the fact that you could never pigeonhole Naomi and Wynonna Judd. The Judds could very well be the poster child of how to balance between bluesy romp, rocking youthful pop and bucolic down home balladry. "Love Can Build a Bridge," their final studio album, is evidence.

As the delectable jazzy piano, introduced a haunting Wynonna Judd on this ferocious leadoff single, "Born to Be Blue" opens the album at a promising start. The delightful bluesy riffs are again used to its advantage in "Rompin' Stompin' Blue." Naomi Judd's sassy harmony certainly augments Wynonna's full bodied Bonnie Riatt-type delivery very nicely on this track. Speaking of Riatt, the diva makes an appearance on this track with her excellent slide guitar playing. "This Country's Rockin'" as the title suggests, continues to find Wynonna howling and grunting in funky jubilation. Though not one that addresses the deep issues of the human condition, lyrically "This Country's Rockin'," a blithe partying anthem, may be a little contrived.

Lyrically much superior is the sparse ballad "Are the Roses Not Blooming?" "Roses'" delicately sings home the homily that there is always hope in the midst life's tribulation. This is a great attestation that Nashville's songwriters can utilize the matter of three minutes or so to speak to one's heart. Wynonna's sensitive vocals and John Jarvis' excellent playing on the keyboard are sublime. "Love Can Build A Bridge," another top 10 hit for the Judds, continues the inspirational thread. Though lyrically a little cliché, this Paul Overstreet, John Jarvis and Naomi Judd co-write with its theme of reconciliation has a universal rhetoric.

Two of the most country offerings are "John Deere Tractor" and "Calling in the Wind." For the sake of nostalgia, "John Deere Tractor," their debut single was revived, albeit a new recording. "John Deere Tractor" and "Calling in the Wind," are both backed by nice fiddling and potent imagery. You don't get more country than tractors, open fields and a paternal tribute.

However, without trying to be too rustic, "Talk About Love" is one of the best pop offerings the Judds has had ever recorded. Wynonna's urgent delivery is backed by a punchy beat and some exceptional guitar playing, "Talk About Love" is an understated gem. Equally poppish, though less poignant is Naomi Judd and Don Schlitz's "One Hundred And Two."

There are many pleasurable on this final Judds CD. But the essential quality that sets this CD apart from other country releases is the inter-weaving vocals from mama Judd and daughter. This is further accentuated by Brent Maher's deft production. Together with their previous release "River of Time," these two CDs are the Judds at their finest.

Love Can Build a Bridge
Average customer rating:

A Bridge of Excellence

Weakest Release To Date, But Understandably So....

Relaxing Feel Good Music!

This is a great album!

A Genuine Classic...Don't Leave Here Without It!

Love Can Build a Bridge
The Judds
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music
General | Country | Styles | Music
Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music
Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000002P3J
Release Date: 1996-11-19

Tracks:

Born To Be Blue
Calling In The Wind
In My Dreams
Rompin' Stompin' Blues
Love Can Build A Bridge
This Country's Rockin'
One Hundred & Two
John Deere Tractor
Talk About Love
Are The Roses Not Blooming

Amazon.com essential recording

The final original album by the Kentucky/California mother-daughter duo, released in 1990 around the time Naomi Judd realized that illness would soon force her retirement, finds the Judds a bit past their prime. A key component of country's mid-'80s artistic revitalization with harmony showcases such as "Why Not Me" and daughter Wynonna's uptempo growlers ("Turn It Loose," "Have Mercy"), the Judds had settled into a routine at this stage, combining ordinary ballad snoozers like "Are the Roses Not Blooming" with by-the-numbers boogie-fests like "This Country's Rockin'." Not to mention the title track extravaganza, a sincere, gospel-infused, platitudinous, somewhat overblown ballad that lacks only Ken Kragen, a trendy cause, and an all-star choir to qualify for full charity-anthem status. There are still plenty of entries for the highlight reel here, however, notably the Celtic-flavored "Calling the Wind," the snappy "Talk About Love," and the Bonnie Raitt-aided blues chugger "Rompin' Stompin' Blues." And the gorgeous, Everlys-style ending of the otherwise unremarkable "In My Dreams" reminds us what a vocal treasure the Judds were at their best. --Ken Barnes

Customer Reviews:

A Bridge of Excellence.......2004-04-02

Prime Cuts: Are the Roses Not Blooming, Love Can Build a Bridge, Talk About Love

Weakest Release To Date, But Understandably So...........2003-06-06

This release was kind of a rushed project and it was the last studio release by the Judds - brought about by Naomi's illness and decision to retire from the industry. I don't think Wy or Naomi's hearts were really into this project at the time and it shows. Oh, yes, I think their hearts were very much into "Love Can Build A Bridge" - an anthem that culminates everything the Judds have stood for. Wy really shines on bluesy numbers such as "Born To Be Blue" and "Rompin' Stompin'", and especially "One Hundred and Two". But, with the exception of the angelic "Calling in the Wind", most of the CD is what most people would call 'filler'. It's ok stuff, it doesn't [bite], but it just doesn't shine either. But, understandably so. It wasn't an easy decision of Naomi's and I'm sure both Judd women were feeling all kinds of emotions at the time and not really focused on their music. But, hey, considering all the top-notch releases they made before this one, we'll forgive them!!!

Relaxing Feel Good Music!.......2000-08-11

I absolutly adore and love the Judds! This CD is great, #2 'Calling in the Wind', is a beautiful song! This is a CD that you should absolutly add to your collection of Judd CD's! Like most of their songs Love Can Build A Bridge is a CD that makes you feel strong! Naomi Judd actually wrote three songs and Wynonna wrote one song! This one's a Winner!!

This is a great album!.......2000-05-12

This is probably the second album by the Judds that I had purchased when I started listening to their music in 1992. I have to say that I love it. In 1992, I usually listened to pop and alternative alone, but ventured out into country and I chose the Judds to do so. Every song on this album, I thought, really grooved except for "Are the roses not blooming?", which is a slow but more contemplative song but a sweet one to end the album with. The album as a whole, is a real thinker. It dips itself in a little heart mending, heart breaking and a little social awareness. I highly recommend this Judd album.

A Genuine Classic...Don't Leave Here Without It!.......1999-06-21

Although "Love Can Build A Bridge" (as a whole) is not The Judds greatest piece of work, it's still a GENUINE CLASSIC. This album was recorded shortly before The Judds said farewell to the world, therefore, it contains alot of emotion and has great sentiment attatched to it. The centerpiece of the album is of course its title track...one of the most inspiring and powerful anthems in music history! One of the rare popular songs that has enduring value and meaning. Other hot spots on "Love Can Build A Bridge" include the bouncy "Born to Be Blue", as well as the soulful Wynonna penned smash "One Hundred And Two" coupled with the Naomi penned "Rompin Stompin Blues" which are the birthplace for what has become Wynonna's successful solo style. Another highlight is the fortunate re-make of "John Deere Tarctor" which features The Judds returning to their roots for one last time becoming their final radio hit. This CD is priceless if only for its sentimental value , but it is much more than that...A true joy that ANY music lover can relate to and appreciate for a lifetime!