Wynonna & the Judds “Love Can Build a Bridge: Songs of Faith, Hope and Love” Album Review

Prime Love Can Build a Bridge, Bring It Together (with Natalie Grant), Heaven Help My Heart

Curb Records is (in)famous for two things.  First, they are good at churning out compilation albums at bullet speed. Curb's former star artist Tim McGraw is a prime example.  In the last 15 years, Curb Records release 10 "greatest hits" albums that come in variegated permutations.  Wynonna Judd, being one of the few veteran country artists, still signed to be imprint, now gets the same treatment with the release of "Love Can Build a Bridge: Songs of Faith, Hope and Love."  "Love" is an 11-song compilation of some of Wy's inspirational and faith-based songs that she has littered across her solo releases and her days as one half of the Judds. 

Kudos to Curb Records, they have also included "rarer" songs that Wy has recorded on soundtracks and albums by other singers.  Namely, one is pleasantly surprised to see the inclusion of Wy's "Testify to Love" (which she recorded for the "Touched by an Angel" soundtrack) and her duet with Natalie Grant "Bring It Together" (from Grant's "Awaken").

Second, Curb is also (in)famous for pulling a Beyonce on us, that is, they released this offering pretty unannounced.  However, thanks to Cracker Barrel, "Love" will also be jointly promoted by the chain restaurants in all their gift shops as well as on their online store.  "Love" doesn't offer any new or formerly unreleased songs, but as far as Wy's inspirational songs are concerned, you can't get a better collection than this. 

Title track and album opener "Love Can Build a Bridge" is one of Paul Overstreet's finest co-compositions where he poetically waxes his eloquent music genius over one of the most memorable ballads about how love can network relationships we never thought possible.  It's one of the best songs about reconciliation hands down. "Grandpa (Tell Me About the Good Ole Days)" incorporates some of best of country music storytelling finesse over a simple but gripping tale of family values. Teaming up with label mate Natalie Grant, Wy showcases her Southern roots on the rousing "Bring It All Together."

Wy then offers a glowing version of Bart Millard's "I Can Only Imagine" which is one among a trio of heaven-centric songs.  Tina Arena's "Heaven Help My Heart" is Wy at her most commercial pop best, while the oft-beat "I Know Where I Am Going" gives assurance of Wy's eternal hope.  She brings us to church with the Gospel-ish "Rescue Me." "Only Love," taken from Wy's "Tell Me Why" album, is perhaps one of her better known solo hits as it was a top 5 Billboard country hit.  Wy's soulful growl makes this bluesy ballad one of her signature pieces.  While on "Testify to Love," Wy is flawless in delivering this radio-made pop gem. 

 

 

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