"Top 21 CDs"

"Shawna Russell's self-titled album is one of the greatest of the year. she captures a delicacy and a sense of mystery that is stronger than other music." 


— John Shelton Ivany, "Top 21 CDs - Books - DVDs of the Week"

Maverick Magazine (UK)

Maverick Magazine (UK)

Sep. 2011 Issue

Shawna Russell album review
by David Knowles
* * * *4 stars (out of 5)

Very good pop-country album

When I reviewed Shawna’s debut album GODDESS back in 2008 I said that she was destined for the top, still trying to get that big break on American country radio and to loosen the grip of the major label acts in Nashville hopefully this, her sophomore album may be able to do both. With all songs written or co-written by Shawna this is a very good CD showing off her songwriting talents as well as her extremely powerful and quite delightful voice. Ballads such as the gorgeous Carry Me Away show off her sweeter vocal style, whereas the lively country line dancer Sounds Like A Party has her in a more raunchy vocal mood. Vocally Shawna is right up there with the big stars such as LeAnn Rimes and Martina McBride, all she needs is that little touch of luck and for American radio and Nashville in general to open their eyes and notice this mighty fine talent.

Shawna Reviewed by CountryChart.com

CountryChart.com — the official blog of Country Chart magazine — reviewed Shawna's latest album in August. An excerpt:

"Shawna Russell" is a bold and enchanting album that firmly places Russell in a new class among her fellow country musicians. Her polished vocals, charming personality and star quality is both inspiring and refreshing. Who can't root for a sweet country girl from Oklahoma who has managed to turn herself into a star?

Read the review here.

The Current Review of Shawna Russell

The Current - July 2011 edition

Shawna Russell Album Review

by Lyle Deiter

Shawna Russell is shy, or so she claims to be, but there's not much shy about her latest self-titled release. In fact, she will invite you in to party with the very first track, make you comfortable with a drink, then get you settled in for some good music, dancing and good conversation, sometimes serious, sometimes fun, but always entertaining.

This album is refreshing for many reasons, the biggest perhaps being her vocal delivery. Russell, inspired by strong female singers like Bonnie Raitt and Stevie Nicks, can belt it out

when she needs to, but is also able to reign things in for her softer ballads and make you want to listen to every song. Several times.

Oklahoma Gazette

Stephen Carradini of The Oklahoma Gazette (Oklahoma City) reviewed Shawna's new CD this week.

Read it here: http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/blog-819-neither-here-nor-there.html


Carradini says: 

Hailing from Okemah, Shawna Russell’s hot-country sound would fit in neatly with now-Okie Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift, if Swift had a bit more muscular voice. Russell has a strong, mid-range one, and she uses it to the fullest on her self-titled, sophomore debut, which was recorded in OKC and Nashville. The album won’t convert any non-country fans, but Twister listeners (KTST radio) will find much to love in her midtempo tunes.   

Roughstock Review

Matt Bjorke reviewed Shawna's new album for Roughstock. Click here to read the review. Here's a preview of what he has to say:

With a little luck and help from radio stations, we may have the birth of another star. Either way, radio star or not, Shawna Russell and her self-titled sophomore album point to a very bright future as a recording artist with the complete package.

Today's Country Magazine

June 5, 2011

Shawna was reviewed in Today's Country Magazine. Click here to read the review. An excerpt is below:

The female side of the country music industry is a tough one to break into right now as a new artist with the likes of major names like Taylor and Carrie leading the pack, but that doesn’t mean for one minute that there isn’t quality music out there to be discovered and some of that quality music comes from Shawna Russell.