Columnist Joe Delaney: 'Sassy' Wynonns holds her own

JOE DELANEY is a Sun entertainment critic.

Wynonna is a formidable performer who knows who she is, likes what she is, and Thursday, in the Caesars Palace Circus Maximus, had an enthusiastic audience who loved her and everything she did. Every song was a very personal statement. Her backup band is obviously hand-picked and in tune with their lady; likewise three backup singers who are allowed to come down front and stretch out. Wynonna, a boss lady, shares the stage generously throughout.

Lighting and sound were a bit much, especially for the first three selections. She opened with "Take A Left At The Wild Unknown," "You Need To Find Somebody To Love" and "To Be Loved By You." She continued with "That Special Kind of Fool Love Makes" and a rousing "Tell Me Why" before chatting with the audience and announcing she felt "sassy" tonight. "Love Like That" led into some talk about her mother Naomi and movie actress sister, Ashley Judd, to whom she dedicated "Come Some Rainy Day." "The Other Side," title song from a recent gold-certified album, was a statement of personal belief and accomplishment. "What It Takes" romped and led to an appearance by tiny daughter Grace to whom she sang, "Change The World," nicely understated.

Henry, a bruiser from the audience, was brought onstage, sat down, and Wynonna told him, in song, "Don't Try Your Mojo On Me." "Love Is Funny That Way" and "No One Else," a signature song, preceded the first bows. The audience demanded she return. After a false fire alarm for two minutes, she concluded with a heartfelt "Is It Over Yet" and an all-out "Always Will." Comedian Steve McGrew, an urban country boy from Tulsa, Okla. traversed familiar terrain; gambling, airlines, news programs and husbands, wives and children, making it all seem fresh and new, got wall-to-wall laughs, and made his 30 minutes seem like half that. Wynonna should keep him as part of her performance team.

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