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HER Records |
10.98 $ |
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Management:
I have lost count as to how many albums I have reviewed over the past seven years. When it comes to independent (or for that matter, major) labels and new artists, you usually have to grade on a curve. Usually, there will be something you have to overlook. Either the vocal won’t be mixed together with the instrumentation, or the lyrics will be strong…but the vocal won’t…..That is not the case with Rachel Williams.
There haven’t been many instances of an artist being 100% ready for the big time with their first release, but trust me….Rachel Williams is one of those stories just waiting to happen. There is nothing second-rate, or nothing that she has to apologize for on this album. As the current hip phrase says, “It’s all good!”
Whether it be heavy emotion, heartbreak or sass, you’ll find an attitude for your liking here. She starts off with the latter on the sarcastic “That’s Why I Picked This Guitar.” By the time she gets to the chorus off this kiss-off song to a would-be lover, you know that a star is born! There’s other showcases for her talents, as well, like on the lifting “How Does It Feel,” which features some nice guitar work from Danny Parks and Derek Wells. Still, though, there is no doubt who is front and center.
With performances ranging from the raspy style of “Something Worth Saving” to the traditional style of “The Only Thing Harder Than Leaving,” there’s a little something for everyone here. As far as being radio-ready, she could go straight to the airwaves with any of these cuts, but “Final Goodbye” and “On My Way To You” simply need to be mailed to the stations. My personal favorites are the Rondstadt-ish “Uphill” and the dark and moody sound of “Kill Me In The Morning.” I could keep writing…..but I would probably run out of adjectives….Rachel Williams is just good….period!
Chuck Dauphin
Music News Nashville August 2007 |
Management:
“I’ve seen many talented people come through the hallowed gates of Nashville. Rachel Williams however, is one of those rare diamonds that appears once in a long while. Her gifts and talents as an artist and writer can’t be described on the page. She is a must see.”
Stewart Harris (Hit Songwriter, No One Else On Earth- Wynonna) |
Management:
“I don’t remember the last time I saw someone at this point in their career that was as mature a performer and sure of their instrument as she was. I take that back. I do. It was a little group called Alabama I saw in Myrtle Beach, SC, in 1980, just after they signed to RCA Records.
She is as strong a talent, as confident of what she is saying and how she is saying it and has as much an appeal to the rank-and-file country fan as anyone I have ever seen.”
John Dotson, APA Artist Management |
Managment:
“We are loving Rachel Williams new CD here at WKKY in Geneva, Ohio. I have decided to add at least two of the songs to our playlist, the sassy "Firestarter" and the introspective "The Only Thing Harder Than Leaving." Rachel Willliams has reached a new personal high in song writing and performance on her new CD, "Lonely At The Bottom." This hard working, incredibly nice young lady has now elbowed her way into today's country music scene. How is our audience responding? After just a few plays we are already getting requests for more Rachel Williams.”
Hoss, Music Director
WKKY 104.7
Geneva, OH 44041 |
Management:
“The most soulful female vocalist since Wynonna. Rachel Williams possesses all the qualities of a major star in the making.”
Clint Higham, Exec. VP Morris Management Group
Managing – Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich |
Management:
"The first time I saw Rachel Williams perform I was blown away. Having been to every kind of showcase known to man over my twenty-plus years in Nashville I am not easily blown away. What struck me more than her stellar pipes and great song selection was her poise on stage in between songs. She is more than just a good singer...she is an honest to goodness entertainer ! The ease in which she engaged the audience was something many big artists don't even have, let alone someone barely past twenty. Rachel possesses the pipes of a young Wynonna with the instant likability and personal connection of someone I used to perform onstage with... Reba. In short, she has what we in the biz call "The X Factor"... that intangible quality that separates an artist from the sea of other great singers and performers out there. It's why Rachel isn't going to just be successful, it's why she's going to be a star."
Karen Staley Hit Songwriter/recording artist/producer |
Management:
We’ve always thought that it’s just a matter of time before everyone else discovers what we’ve known for some time: Rachel Williams is a star, with one of the biggest voices in the business. We play her music almost as a public service to our listeners. Judging by the phones, we’re doing the right thing.
Captain Bobby Byrd & Uncle Bill Hughes
Cat Country 93.9 Athens, Tennessee |
Management:
Rachel Williams may only be 21, but her voice is much more mature than her age would suggest. She comes across as an experienced, mature individual and that only lends legitimacy to the songs she sings. Lonely at the Bottom is Rachel's second CD and it's a wonderful collection of 16 songs, 12 of which were written or co-written by Rachel.
Most of the content on this CD is modern, pop-influenced country, but Rachel's strong, mature voice has a touch of an edgy, bluesy feel, adding weight to the songs she sings. You immediately identify with the songs and feel the emotion in the lyrics.
There is a nice mix of up-temp, mid-tempo, and slow numbers on the CD and Rachel moves easily through all of them. There's not a bad song on the CD, but some definitely stood out for me.
The CD starts off with the up-tempo, kick-ass song "That's Why I Picked This Guitar." Rachel belts out this song with conviction. About a woman who picks her guitar (and music career) over her whiny boyfriend, you believe that she sent him packin'!
Several of the songs on the CD have wonderful, true-to-life lyrics that paint a picture and make you feel the emotions Rachel is singing about. "The Only Thing Harder Than Leaving," "Lonely At The Bottom," and "Sad Songs" are all examples of the fusing of great lyrics, great music, and a great voice.
"Kill Me in the Morning" is one of the shining moments on the CD. A beautifully haunting song about a woman trying to forget the man in her past by drinking him away. Although I wouldn't want an entire album of this type of song, the song was perfect for Rachel's voice and she could certainly throw a few more like this into the mix.
The CD closes with "World Famous," a slightly darker look at the struggles of trying to make it in the music industry. In her home town, everyone knows her, but in the music world, no one even knows she exists. She keeps trying, though, because even if she doesn't make it in the big leagues, she is "world famous" in her home town.
In all, this is a wonderful sophomore CD from a young artist who clearly has the talent to be in this business for a long time. If you're not familiar with Rachel Williams, get this CD today and say "hello"!
REVIEW from International Country Music Database June 2007 |
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