BLACK AND WY : Wynonna and Clint Make One Hot Ticket Touring Together

Duets in country music these days are as rare as TV talk shows. And generally about as insightful.

With “A Bad Goodbye,” the current hit single for Clint Black and Wynonna Judd, Black and his songwriter partner Hayden Nicholas have come up with something special: A song not just with two voices, but with two points of view.

In this chronicle of the dying days of a love affair, the man says he doesn’t want the relationship to end on a bad note.

Singing the woman’s side, Judd makes her entrance with a melancholy “Goodby . . . easier said than done” and makes it clear that neither heart is going to escape unscathed.

It adds up to the kind of dramatic tension that’s all too rare in the duet business these days.

In voice, Clint and Wynonna--or Black and Wy, as they are billing their current joint concert tour that stops off Saturday at the Anaheim Arena--meld seamlessly. Their darting, swooping vocals match like a pair of uncaged swallows.

It’s one of the high points of Black’s new album, “No Time to Kill,” in which the singer-songwriter from Houston reasserts his position as one of country’s brightest hopes.

His fourth album also reaffirms his status as a classic victim of sophomore (and now junior and senior) slump in failing to fully capture the promise of his exceptional 1989 debut album, “Killin’ Time.”

While there are stellar moments--including the duet with Judd and the title tune--too many of the other songs fall into the blandly predictable middle ground of Top 40 country.

Judd makes a stronger showing on her second solo album, “Tell Me Why,” but to an extent she’s also still struggling to realize her potential.

She’s still emerging from the considerable shadow she and her mother cast as the Judds, country’s most successful duo act ever.

She has a tremendously versatile voice, capable not just of spine-tingling country balladry, but equally convincing on blues, rock and gospel-tinged numbers. On both of her solo albums, however, she’s settled for songs that are less-than worthy of her capabilities.

What she needs is someone like Emmylou Harris, whose song selection is nearly impeccable, to serve as artistic consultant next time out.

At her concert, however, expect a more consistent selection of songs drawn from her solo records as well as from her Judds days. And don’t be surprised if Black and Wy team up at least once during the evening before they say their own goodbys.

* What: Clint Black and Wynonna Judd.

* When: Saturday, July 31, at 8 p.m.

* Where: Anaheim Arena, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim.

* Whereabouts: Take the Orange (57) Freeway, exit at Katella Avenue. The arena is immediately east of the freeway off-ramps.

* Wherewithal: $20 to $35.

* Where to call: (714) 704-2400.

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