River of Time (The Judds album) explained

River of Time
Type:studio
Artist:the Judds
Cover:RiverofTime.jpg
Released:April 4, 1989
Genre:Country
Length:36:24
Label:RCA Victor
Producer:Brent Maher
Prev Title:Greatest Hits
Prev Year:1988
Next Title:Across the Heartland
Next Year:1989

River of Time is the fifth studio album by American country music duo the Judds, released on April 4, 1989 by RCA Records. It features the singles "Young Love (Strong Love)," "Let Me Tell You About Love," "One Man Woman" and "Guardian Angels." While the first two singles reached #1 on the country charts, the latter two peaked at #8 and #16 respectively, with "Guardian Angels" being their first single since 1983's "Had a Dream (For the Heart)" to miss Top Ten. "Do I Dare" is not included on the cassette or vinyl versions.

Critical reception

Billboard reviewed the album in the April 15, 1989 issue. The review said, "Although this album has fewer memorable songs than the stunning Heartland, it is still a pure sonic feast. Wynonna Judd's straining-at-the-leash lead vocals perfectly counterpoint the sparkling minimalist instrumentation, and there is a full range of styles–from the breezy jazziness of "Not My Baby" to the canonical country of "Guardian Angels". Among the song contributors are Mark Knopfler, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Carl Perkins, Don Schlitz, the ever-present Paul Kenenrley, and Naomi Judd."[1]

Cashbox also published review in their April 15, 1989 issue which said, "Wynonna and Naomi present possibly their last album for Curb/RCA with all the style and flair inherent in their usual recorded efforts. Wynonna shows an even greater depth of vocal delivery here, especially on tunes like “One Woman Man” and "Cadillac Red" (which was co- written by Naomi with J. Jarvis and Craig Bickhardt). Naomi also co-wrote two other tunes ("River of Time" and "Guardian Angels"), both of which display the emergence of a talented songwriter. Now at number 11 on the top 100 with "Young Love", the Judds should continue their charting sweep with several other hot tunes. Best cut overall would have to be the Mark Knopfler-penned "Water of Love”, a soul-wrencher with stellar guitar accompaniment."[2]

Personnel

As listed in liner notes.[3]

The Judds
Additional musicians

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)Position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[4] 13
Chart (1990)Position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[5] 35

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Album Reviews / Spotlight . World Radio History . Billboard . May 13, 2022 . 78 . April 15, 1989.
  2. Web site: Country Music / Album Releases . World Radio History . Cashbox . May 13, 2022 . 25 . April 15, 1989.
  3. River of Time . The Judds . 1989 . cassette liner . RCA/Curb . 9595-2-R.
  4. Top Country Albums – Year-End 1989. Billboard. December 31, 2020.
  5. Top Country Albums – Year-End 1990. Billboard. December 31, 2020.