Coming from any other artist, the comments were strong contenders for Most Ingratiating Remarks Made At A Concert In 1996.

"When I was packing to come here, I wondered if there was anyone out there still listening," the artist formerly known as Wynonna Judd -- she only goes by her first name now -- wondered aloud at her concert at the Molson Amphitheatre last night.

Nearly 10,000 people roared.

Then came the second strike.

"I realize that without you, I'd have to get a real job."

Another roar.

Without any background on Wynonna, who Newsweek once said has "the most exhilarating voice in country," you could be forgiven for criticizing her for making a pathetic attempt at currying favor with her audience.

But when you consider the public chastisement -- mainly for having a child before marrying her boyfriend -- she's weathered, it would be downright unfair to attack her.

Which brings us to Revelations, her first album in three years, and one of her most personal.

She went so far as to describe the 10 songs as "answered prayers" and described a song whose chorus was: "I'm gonna do what it takes to keep a smile on my face" as "my theme song."

Kicking off the proceedings with the infectious Heaven Help My Heart, and moving quickly on to the rocking Somebody To Love You, Wynonna and her six-piece band turned out selections from her three albums with some speed giving the impression they were going through the motions.

Weaving a quilt of ballads, country rockers and horn-heavy soul songs, the eight-months-pregnant Wynonna charmed with a voice that's alternately angelic and gritty.

The highlights of her concert included a beautiful acoustic version of To be Loved By You and a gospel-inflected song which featured her three back-up singers.

With their Temptations-like moves, not only were they the most active people in the place, but if Wynonna wasn't blessed with the pipes she has, the trio would've upstaged the star attraction.

Opening for Wynonna were Blackhawk, 24-year-old Paul Brandt, a country singer/songwriter from Calgary currently touting his debut album, Calm Before The Storm.

Sun Rating: 3 out of 5