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Rissi Palmer
Ebony, Nov, 2007 by Lynn Norment
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RISSI PALMER was making headlines even before the release of her sell-titled debut CD. After listening to her strong vocals and equally powerful lyrics, it's easy to understand why she is being heralded as country music's brightest rising star. Her gutsy first single, "Country Girl," made news when it gave Palmer the distinction of being the first Black female country singer in 20 years to hit the Billboard Country Singles Chart. (In 1987, Dona Mason's "Green Eyes (Cryin' Those Blue Tears)" made the chart.) Palmer's "Country Girl" is an exuberant, infectious cut that inspires hand clapping, toe-tapping and singing along. She slows it down just a bit with the hopeful "Anybody Out There" and "Hold On to Me," an urgent, pleading declaration of commitment. On all the songs, Palmer's poignant, well-crafted lyrics take center stage alongside her passionate voice, which covers all the bases (including yodeling). Throughout the set, Palmer, who grew up listening to Patsy Cline with her late mother, demonstrates why she chose to pursue a career in country music though she was offered a pop record deal by producing team Jimmy lain and Terry Lewis. Country music is where her heart is, though it is clear that she could make it in any genre she chooses. For this talented country girl, country is a state of mind.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
