1984 EP by The Judds
Wynonna & Naomi
is the first
extended play
by American
country
duo
The Judds
. It was released in February 1984 by
RCA Records
and was produced by
Brent Maher
. It was the duo's first album release in their career and would be followed later in the year by their first full-length album,
Why Not Me
.
The album was part of a "mini-album" marketing strategy designed by RCA to promote up-and-coming acts on their roster.
Wynonna & Naomi
was named for the members of the duo,
Naomi Judd
and
Wynonna Judd
, who had just recently signed with RCA Records after several years attempting to gain a recording contract. The original version included six tracks, including one song composed by Naomi Judd. The album included the duo's first two hits: "
Had a Dream (For the Heart)
" and "
Mama He's Crazy
." The EP itself would also reach positions on the
Billboard
charts in 1984.
Background
[
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]
In 1983, The Judds signed their first recording contract with
RCA Nashville
. Consisting of mother,
Naomi Judd
, and daughter,
Wynonna Judd
, the duo auditioned on spot at the label's headquarters in
Nashville, Tennessee
. The pair would remain at RCA through the 1980s and have a series of major hits.
[3]
Following their signing, the duo began making decisions on putting together their first album. RCA decided on first recording an extended play (mini-album of six songs), a marketing strategy that been successful for several other label performers. If successful, the intent was for the duo to release a full-length album at a later date.
Content and recording
[
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]
A total of six songs were chosen for the mini-album.
[2]
In 1983, The Judds signed with
Broadcast Music, Inc.
so that Naomi could gain publishing royalties from songs she composed. Following this decision, Naomi's composition, "
Change of Heart
," was chosen for the record. In addition, "
John Deere Tractor
" was also chosen. According to Naomi Judd, the song's original composer could not be originally determined. Instead, a bank account was opened for his royalties from the track. The duo's producer,
Brent Maher
, played them "
Had a Dream (For the Heart)
," which was originally recorded by
Elvis Presley
. Despite original hesitations about recording an Elvis track, the duo eventually agreed cut it with a new arrangement.
Maher arranged for songwriters to meet The Judds in person to play songs they could possibly record. Nashville songwriter,
Harlan Howard
, was invited to dinner at The Judds' house where he played them his composition, "The Blue Nun Cafe."
The duo agreed to recording it for the project. In addition, mother Naomi Judd went to several publishing companies to hear songs the duo could possibly record. At one of these companies, she met songwriter
Kenny O'Dell
, who played her his song "
Mama He's Crazy
." Naomi connected with its lyrics and decided to choose the song for the upcoming album.
Wynonna & Naomi
was recorded in March 1983 at the Creative Workshop, also located in Nashville.
[8]
Naomi wanted her and her daughter to stay focused on the recording process. To stay on task, the duo agreed on a dress codes and made a sign outside the studio door, according to her autobiography,
Love Can Build a Bridge.
The songs were cut in a total of three days. According to Naomi, the duo decided to lay down the vocals with only producer Brent Maher and musician,
Don Potter
present. "Our singing came from instinct, deep and spontaneous," she recalled in her 1993 book. The album was completed at a budget of $36,000.
Release and reception
[
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]
Professional ratings
Review scores
|
---|
Source
| Rating
|
---|
Allmusic
| |
Christgau's Consumer Guide Reviews
| A-
|
Before the album's release, "Had a Dream (For the Heart)" was issued as the lead single. It was first released in December 1983 on RCA Records.
[10]
The song spent a total of 18 weeks on the
Billboard
Hot Country Songs
chart. In March 1984, the single reached number 17 on the chart, becoming the duo's first major hit and top 20 single.
[11]
On the Canadian
RPM
Country Singles chart, it reached a similar top 20 position.
[12]
In February 1984,
Wynonna & Naomi
was officially released on RCA.
[8]
The record was originally offered in
12 inch vinyl
[13]
and as an
audio cassette
.
[14]
Wynonna & Naomi
became the duo's first charting album released on the
Billboard
Top Country Albums
survey, where it peaked at number eight.
[15]
It also reached number 153 on the
Billboard 200
.
[16]
In April 1984, "Mama He's Crazy" was spawned as the second single from the extended play. It became The Judds' first of several number one hits during the 1980s.
[10]
In total, "Mama He's Crazy" spent 23 weeks on the
Billboard
country songs chart before topping the list in August 1984.
[17]
It was also their first number one Canadian country single.
[12]
Following its release,
Wynonna & Naomi
received positive reviews from writers and critics. Music journalist
Robert Christgau
gave the album an "A?" rating in his review: "They've got a gimmick--not only are they a mother-and-daughter act, you can't tell who's who. But the music's simply solid--three fine ones plus three pretty good ones equals the most actively pleasurable Nashville of the year."
[18]
Thom Owens of
Allmusic
rated the album 4.5 out of 5 possible stars in his review. Owens praised the mother-daughter harmonies the quality of material found on the album. He concluded by comparing the album to future releases: "The best moments on The Judds have been compiled on their numerous hit compilation, yet it remains a pleasant listen for most dedicated fans."
[2]
Track listing
[
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]
Vinyl version
[
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]
Cassette version
[
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]
Side one
[14]
Title
| Writer(s)
|
---|
1.
| "Had a Dream (For the Heart)"
| Linde
| 3:10
|
---|
2.
| "John Deere Tractor"
| Hammond
| 3:28
|
---|
3.
| "Isn't He a Strange One"
| Robbins
| 3:25
|
---|
4.
| "Change of Heart"
| Judd
| 3:28
|
---|
5.
| "Mama He's Crazy"
| O'Dell
| 3:11
|
---|
Side two
[14]
Title
| Writer(s)
|
---|
1.
| "Blue Nun Cafe"
| | 2:27
|
---|
2.
| "Change of Heart"
| Judd
| 3:28
|
---|
3.
| "Mama He's Crazy"
| O'Dell
| 3:11
|
---|
4.
| "John Deere Tractor"
| Hammond
| 3:28
|
---|
5.
| "Isn't He a Strange One"
| Robbins
| 3:25
|
---|
Compact disc version
[
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]
Wynonna & Naomi
(1988)
[19]
[2]
Title
| Writer(s)
|
---|
1.
| "Had a Dream (For the Heart)"
| Linde
| 3:12
|
---|
2.
| "John Deere Tractor"
| Hammond
| 3:30
|
---|
3.
| "Isn't He a Strange One"
| Robbins
| 3:26
|
---|
4.
| "Mama He's Crazy"
| O'Dell
| 3:17
|
---|
5.
| "Change of Heart"
| Judd
| 3:33
|
---|
6.
| "Blue Nun Cafe"
| | 2:30
|
---|
7.
| "
Cry Myself to Sleep
"
| Paul Kennerley
| 3:44
|
---|
8.
| "Dreamchaser"
| | 3:44
|
---|
Total length:
| 26:34
|
---|
Personnel
[
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]
All credits are adapted from the
liner notes
of
Wynonna & Naomi.
[8]
The Judds
- Naomi Judd ? harmony vocals
- Wynonna Judd ? lead vocals
Musical personnel
Technical personnel
Chart performance
[
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]
Certifications
[
edit
]
Release history
[
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]
References
[
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]
- ^
"Album Reviews"
(PDF)
.
World Radio History
. Billboard. February 25, 1984. p. 72
. Retrieved
May 2,
2022
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
Judds, The.
"
Wynonna & Naomi
: The Judds: Songs, Reviews, Credits"
.
Allmusic
. Retrieved
9 November
2020
.
- ^
Huey, Steve.
"The Judds: Biography & History"
.
Allmusic
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
a
b
c
Judds, The (February 1984). "
Wynonna & Naomi
(EP Liner Notes and Album Information)".
RCA Records
.
- ^
a
b
Whitburn, Joel (2008).
Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008
. Record Research, Inc.
ISBN
978-0-89820-177-2
.
- ^
"
"Had a Dream (For the Heart)" chart history"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
a
b
"Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada (Country Singles)"
.
RPM
. Retrieved
November 27,
2010
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
"The Judds --
Wynonna & Naomi
(1984, EP)"
.
Discogs
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
"The Judds --
Wynonna & Naomi
(1984, EP Cassette)"
.
Discogs
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
Whitburn, Joel (1997).
Joel Whitburn's Top Country Albums: 1967-1997
. Record Research Inc.
ISBN
0898201241
.
- ^
"
Wynonna & Naomi
chart history (Billboard 200)"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
"
"Mama He's Crazy" chart history"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
Christgau, Robert.
"Robert Christgau: The Judds [from Consumer Guide]"
.
Robert Christgau
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
a
b
Wynonna & Naomi
(Compact disc). RCA / Curb. 1988. 8402-2-RRE.
- ^
"The Judds Chart History (
Billboard
200)"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^
"The Judds Chart History (Top Country Albums)"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^
"The Judds Chart History (Top Country Albums)"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^
"American album certifications ? The Judds ? Wynonna & Naomi"
.
Recording Industry Association of America
. Retrieved
November 10,
2020
.
- ^
"The Judds --
Wynonna & Naomi
(1984, Vinyl EP -- Canada)"
.
Discogs
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
"The Judds --
Wynonna & Naomi
(1984, Cassette EP -- Canada)"
.
Discogs
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
"The Judds --
Wynonna & Naomi
(1984, Vinyl EP -- Australia and New Zealand)"
.
Discogs
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
"The Judds --
Wynonna & Naomi
(1988, Vinyl EP)"
.
Discogs
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
"The Judds --
Wynonna & Naomi
(1988, Cassette)"
.
Discogs
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
Books
[
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]
- Judd, Naomi; Schaetzle, Bud (1993).
Love Can Build a Bridge
. New York: Villard Books.
ISBN
0-679-41247-6
.
External links
[
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]
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Studio albums
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Compilation albums
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Live albums
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Video albums
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Extended plays
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Related articles
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