POP MUSIC REVIEWS : THE DOWN-HOME CHARM OF THE JUDDS

The Judds may have been headlining the Universal Amphitheatre by default Sunday night, but the mother-and-daughter team from Morrill, Ky., were far from outmatched in the role.

Mother Naomi and daughter Wynonna overdid the “if we can achieve our dreams, you can too” pep talks, but most of their hour-plus performance suggested the most engaging blend of down-home charm, Hollywood flash and love of country music tradition since Dolly Parton’s arrival in the late ‘60s.

Part of the duo’s appeal is that it’s almost two acts in one. Naomi served as hostess Sunday, concentrating on personality (lots of smiling and waving to the crowd) and glamour (she didn’t find that sparkly white outfit on the rack back in Morrill) as much as on singing harmony.

Meanwhile, Wynonna took care of the singing. Only in her early 20s, she is still exploring vocal styles rather than clearly defining her own. She was just moderately successful when rocking out with “Rip It Up,” but Wynonna brought a convincing, nostalgic edge to sentimental numbers like “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)” and an engaging poignancy to the wistful “If I Were You.”

At her best, she reflects some of the husky, blues-based vocal conviction and pop purity of Patsy Cline. The danger is that she could be lulled by the Judds’ commercial success into thinking she has mastered her craft. If she continues to grow, she could end up as one of country’s greatest female artists.

The Judds, who were scheduled to open Sunday and Monday for Merle Haggard, landed in the headline spot after Haggard canceled. A spokesman for the singer said Monday that Haggard was suffering from “physical and mental exhaustion.” Southern Pacific, a country-rock band that was reviewed in these pages in May, and comedian Gary Mule Deer were added to the package.