LISA DAMES
If These Walls Could Talk (Waffle Ranch)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Lisa Dames is a throwback to a wonderful (and sadly bygone) era of female country singers in the Patsy Cline tradition, right down to the way her music is recorded. The six song EP, If These Walls Could Talk, offers some strong evidence of Dames' talent, but unfortunately it's a little inconsistent for such a short EP. She's obviously got the goods, so it's a shame she didn't hold out for the very best possible performance on a few of these tracks on which she seems just a bit unfocused. On the other hand, there are a few performances here that are just so good you ache when you listen. You know... in the good way. It makes you remember when country radio was good, a source of frequent goose bumps. The title track has much of what's missing from Nashville today, from a great country beat to spine-tingling pedal steel guitar, and best of all the voice of Lisa Dames, nearly perfect here and putting the current crop to shame. She's on a very indie label (possibly her own release, I don't know), and what I suspect is that a good producer could take her into the studio and come out with something special. Country could use someone like Lisa Dames, so keep your fingers crossed.

© 2005 - DJ Johnson