Wynonna; Blackhawk

Wynonna; Blackhawk (Universal Amphitheater; 6,251 seats; $ 32.50 top) Promoted by MCA Concerts. Reviewed March 15, 1996. Since becoming a solo artist more than four years ago, Wynonna Judd has developed her vocal acumen and performance style to become a country music artist without peers. Her nearly two-hour, impeccable presentation Friday night at the Universal Amphitheater -- the first of three sold-out perfs -- deftly melded pop, R&B and gospel, and demonstrated that the songstress is without equal in those genres as well.

Band: Wynonna: Willie Weeks, Jon Glazer, Tom Bukovac, Eddie Bayers, Jon Conley, Jim Horn, Rock Williams, Vinnie Ciesielski, Bob Bailey , Kim Fleming Vicki Hampton. Blackhawk: Henry Paul, Dave Robbins, Van Stephenson , Tere Bertke, Dale Oliver, Bobby Huff.

Touring in support of her recently released Curb/MCA Nashville disc "Revelations," Wynonna marked the end of an 18-month absence from the local concert stage -- she took time off to have a baby -- and the kickoff of her 1996 world tour, with an energetic performance that was devoid of pretense and loaded with style and substance.

Backed by a top-notch seven-piece band, three backup singers, and a classy stage setup, Wynonna switched often and effortlessly from guttural vocals that gave the material its bluesy impact, to sustained high notes and fluid song readings that helped solidify her stature as a superb pop vocalist.

Add to the mix a heavy leaning toward gospel-influenced arrangements, such as "Let's Make a Baby King," and the show's finale "Dance, Shout," which featured 40 backup singers and brought the audience to its feet, and all musical bases were seemingly covered with the price of admission.

Backup vocalists Bob Bailey, Kim Fleming and Vicki Hampton lent an abundance of energy to the nonstop proceedings, as the vocal triumvirate pushed the firebrand Wynonna -- who despite being five months pregnant still stirred it up, as she strutted and swaggered like an industry newcomer -- to display an uncompromising zeal for keeping the perf interesting and entertaining.

Wynonna drew heavily from the new disc during the evening, creating a set that was a powerful combination of taut, country-flavored ballads such as "Don't Look Back," and solid pop offerings such as "Love by Grace."

A roaring and funked-up version of "No One Else on Earth," a hit track off her 1992 self-titled solo bow, and "Girls With Guitars," a memorable tune off her sophomore disc, also allowed Wynonna to hit levels of unmatched showmanship that frequently galvanized the packed-to-the-rafters crowd.

Show's opener, Blackhawk (which will open for Wynonna on the multicity roadshow), used its 45-minute set to demonstrate its own distinctive style.

Tapping tracks off its just released Arista Records disc, "Strong Enough," the trio offered a mostly static performance; their subdued demeanor wisely gave center stage to the music of chugging rhythms and pristine harmonies -- not onstage theatrics. Set's several high points included "Goodbye Says It All" and "I Sure Can Smell the Rain."

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