Press

Brandy McDonnell, Music Critic, The Oklahoman "Top 10 Albums of 2008"
BAM's Top 10 Albums of 2008

5. Shawna Russell “Goddess” (Way Out West) - The Okemah singer-songwriter effortlessly blends contemporary pop-country, 1970s-style rock and Southern-fried grooves. Among a glut of much-ballyhooed country debuts, her first album proved the most divine.

BAM's Top Favorite Tracks from Top 10:

5. “Strange Way,” from Shawna Russell’s “Goddess.” Again, there are so many great songs on this Okemah singer-songwriter’s debut album it was hard to pick just one. But this country girl proves she can flat-out rock ’70s style on her cover of Firefall’s 1978 hit.

Other artists on the list:

Lindsey Buckingham, Colourmusic, Duffy, Metallica, Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers, Coldplay, Brad Paisley, Jason Boland and the Stragglers, The late Bob Childers, Jimmy LaFave and others


CMA Close Up "Debut Spotlight"
Shawna Russell
CMA Close Up Debut Artist Spotlight
October/November 2008 issue
By Robert L. Doerschuk

Goddess, Shawna Russell’s debut album on Way Out West Records, wraps mainstream pop, romantic balladry and high-impact rock ‘n’ roll into a pure Country package. The Oklahoma native’s singing echoes Martina McBride, Stevie Nicks or Bonnie Raitt, depending on how hard the drums drive or the power chords ring. As co-writer on 12 of these 13 songs, she flaunts a commercial touch and tempers it with pure feeling, whether in the stadium-sized anthem “Get Out of My Way,” the crunchy punch of “Back on My Feet” or the Little Feat-flavored funk of “Little Dixie.”

Yet Goddess ultimately showcases Russell’s personal blend of toughness, tenderness and tunefulness. Raised in a musical family, she was singing in public by age 7 and co-leading a band with her father Keith at 13. Four years later, as a member of Way Out West, her uncle Tim’s band, she was shining in the spotlight at The Grizzly Rose in Denver, Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville and other high-profile clubs.

Her family ties remain intact, with her father and uncle still writing with her and playing in her band and Tim co-producing Goddess with Ted Curtis. But with her name on the marquee now, with three years of touring with Ty England behind her and a glittering future ahead, Russell can take pride for launching her catalog with this powerful debut.

MUSICAL HERO “My dad.”
CD IN YOUR STEREO “Gold, by Ryan Adams.”
SONG YOU WISH YOU’D WRITTEN “‘Leader of the Band,’ by Dan Fogelberg.” GREATEST PERFORMANCE TO DATE “Opening for Keith Urban at the Grizzly Rose in Denver..”
SECRET ABOUT YOU THAT NO ONE WOULD GUESS “I never wear a watch. They just stop working.”
LUCKY CHARM “A talisman necklace.”

© 2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.


Maverick Magazine CD review
Maverick Magazine (UK)
June 2008 Edition
Shawna Russell Goddess CD Review
by Music Reviewer, Dave Knowles

* * * * ½ Stars

This debut album highlights a singer with a very big talent, and who could go straight to the top.

Oklahoma has produced some big stars within country music, and Shawna Russell could prove another big success for the State. Graced with stunning good looks, and a voice that many singers would kill for, Shawna has released an album packed full of songs that could catapult her name into the premier league of current top singers in Nashville.

The power ballad The Only One is perfect for American radio, and if promoted right could be a massive hit. She also shows she can liven things up on tracks such as the fun country-pop tune Back On My Feet with its driving guitar sounds.

The title track Goddess is a wonderfully dreamy song, very much in the mould of Fleetwood Mac. Fire In The Desert is a superb country rocker that shows just how good Shawna’s voice really is, and this would be another great choice for a single release, and the accompanying video if done right could be absolutely phenomenal! Just think of Shawna walking through the desert singing, and as she hit’s the title line from the chorus a wall of flame appears behind her…what am I doing writing, I should be making videos!

The highly emotional Shed A Tear has such gorgeous yet at the same time sad lyrics, and Shawna’s voice is just superb as she rolls out the emotional carpet. She co-wrote this homage to women who serve in the military with Tim Russell and Little Texas singer Tim Rushlow, and the video that can be found on You Tube has already been striking chords with military personnel and their families.

This album has a fine mix of ballads, country/pop and rock tunes. Should’ve Been Born With Wheels really kicks, and the final track Little Dixie comes at you like a hurricane, as her powerful and raunchy vocals storm out over the tornado backing that is played in a true Southern rocking boogie-woogie style.

What a singer! What a debut album! This lady should be winning awards very soon! DK


Country Weekly CD review
Country Weekly
April 7, 2008 Issue
Shawna Russell Goddess CD Review
by Chris Neal, Music Editor

3 1/12 Stars (out of 5)

Shawna Russell hails from Okemah, Okla., but her promising debut is contemporary country soaked in the influence of 1970’s country-rock and California pop – the drummer on Goddess is L.A. session veteran Russ Kunkel, the lone cover is of Firefall’s 1978 rock hit “Strange Way,” 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,” which Stevie might have been proud to call her own.