04.10.2008
Albuquerque Journal Newspaper Reviews Rissi Palmer
"Rissi Palmer"
By Nathalie Baret
Of the Journal
When you hear Rissi Palmer's voice, it's hard not to imagine the talented singer could succeed in any genre of music. Her soulful vocals are downright contemporary sounding and could fit as easily into the pop world as they do in the country marketplace, where the 26-year-old songwriter and acoustic guitarist is staking her future.
Her eclectic style brings together the earthy and airy vocal sensuality of India.Arie, the pop sensibilities of Mariah Carey and the powerful chops of LeAnn Rimes and Martina McBride. Perhaps that's why it's easy to see how R&B producers extraordinaire Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the creative team behind some of Janet Jackson's and Mariah Carey's biggest hits, could be taken with the vocalist and offer her a pop recording deal.
But Palmer, who's dreamed of pursuing country music since childhood, sticks to her passion for her genre of choice. And for the most part, her unique country-infused pop-soul sound works very well.
Produced by Keith Thomas (Faith Hill, Reba McEntire), Dan Shea (Martina McBride, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey) and Shannon Sanders (India.Arie, Lyle Lovett), Palmer's self-titled debut for 1720 Entertainment is destined to attract country and possibly pop listeners with its many melodious love songs and several danceable, upbeat tracks.
Set against a fresh country groove that's rich in dobro, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and acoustic guitar, Palmer's R&B-meets-country vocals are equally at home with blues-stained tunes, like the sweet intimacy of "Flowers on My Window Ledge," the delicately arranged mid-tempo ballad "Anybody Out There" and the boot-scootin' "Country Girl," as they are with songs that luxuriate in traditional country roots.
A couple of the country-pure cuts included in the batch of 12 tracks is the vibrant pedal steel-laced tune "Hurt Don't Know When To Quit" and the exquisite rendition of "Leavin' on Your Mind." Steeped in echoes of Patsy Cline and Brenda Lee, Palmer does a mesmerizing performance of this heartfelt timeless cover that was a Top 10 for Cline in 1963.
An impressive freshman offering for the singer with a universal voice, Palmer's CD is a modern-day country gem that's full of great songs and merits a listen.