Okie gets solid review with debut album
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Oklahoma’s crowded constellation of country luminaries might have to make room for one more star.
Country-rock singer-songwriter Shawna Russell of Okemah released her debut CD, “Goddess,” nationally on Way Out West/Nine North Records earlier this month.
Country Weekly magazine gave the disc 3 1/2 stars out of 5 in its April 7 issue, now on newsstands. Music Editor Chris Neal said in his review: “Her promising debut is soaked in the influences of 1970’s country-rock and California pop - and the role model most clearly evoked throughout the album is Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks. It’s a winning fusion that evokes the era’s sense of mystery while remaining grounded in the present - especially on the scorcher ‘Fire in the Desert.’”
According to a news release, Russell recorded “Goddess” in Oklahoma City. It was produced by Tim Russell (her uncle) and Ted Curtis at Upstairs Productions Studio.
Several top-notch studio talents worked on it, including drummer Russ Kunkel (who worked for Carly Simon and James Taylor), bassist David Santos, (Elton John, Billy Joel and John Fogerty) and vocal engineer Julian King (Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Toby Keith). The mixer was Nathaniel Kunkel (Diana Ross and the Police). Russell’s rock and country influences are evident in those credentials.
Russell, who started singing professionally in her dad’s band at age 12, wrote 12 of the 13 songs on “Goddess.”
She will mark her national radio debut on April 14, with the release of the disc’s title song as the first single. She will begin a radio promo tour the next day, starting with Oklahoma stations and then branching out nationwide.
The Country Music Association named her one of the ”Who New To Watch in 2008″ artists, according to the release. In the past few weeks, news about her and “Goddess” have been included in All Access, Country Aircheck, Music Row, Radio & Records, All About Country.com, Country Stars Online and Music News Nashville.
I’ll be checking out “Goddess” as soon as I get my hands on a review copy. But it sounds like Russell is one to watch. For more information on her, go to www.shawnarussell.com.
-BAM
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