Fresh "Air": Rissi Palmer Breathes Life Into A Jordin Sparks Song

Posted Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:31pm PDT by Lyndsey Parker in Reality Rocks

"No Air" was the one breath of fresh air on Jordin Sparks's debut album for me. Although I've never doubted that the season 6 AmIdol winner has a good set of pipes, I have for the most part been disappointed with the safe, snoozy post-show material's she's released.

The one exception has been "No Air," which I actually think is one of the best pop singles of 2008. I also think it's probably what saved Jordin from a sad, one-album-then-dropped, Taylor Hicks-like fate. Of course, it didn't hurt matters that her unstoppable and unfloppable labelmate Chris Brown appeared on the song, but even without his input, a good song is a good song is a good song.

Case in point: The new "No Air" cover by rising Nashville star Rissi Palmer. It's a country version, and Chris Brown is nowhere to be found on it, and it's still just as great.

Or is it? Some people might even say Rissi's version is better. Compare and contrast the remake and the original here, and you decide:

191 Comments

61. Yahoo! Music User - Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:25pm PDT

I definitely think the original duet is better. It makes the chorus richer with the harmonies supporting it. Not only that, but the video suits the song better in the original with Sparks and Brown. It makes it much more powerful.

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62. Heidi and Rod - Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:38pm PDT

Don't fix what isn't broken. Original version has more passion, better vocals and isn't dull and boring. Rissi's version, ummm, lackluster.

63. Miss Jerri Lynn - Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:46pm PDT

I saw Rissi at Knotts Berry Farm last month, and OMG shes awesome.....I vote for Rissi 100%

64. Binta - Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:49pm PDT

they both good

65. Dana - Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:06am PDT

Seriously, there is no comparison. Jordin's version is better and what original artist sings another's hit song?

66. 栗东 - Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:32am PDT

Tattoo lets me know Sparks, and i like her voice very much, really attractive. Still
remember her show on nba all star weekend.

67. Daniel - Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:01am PDT

RISSI PALMER TOOK THE WHOLE SONG TO ANOTHER LEVEL
MUCH BETTER..and i thought the original was good.tsss

-MR. OH LA LA

68. pisces70_89 - Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:11am PDT

I like both, but the original is so cute for Chris and Jordan. I just like Jordan's more.

69. Malik S - Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:37am PDT

Rissi...AND IT AINT EVEN CLOSE!

70. Irene - Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:37am PDT

Jordan Sparks hands down- the duet is what makes this song, both singers have strong beautiful voices.

71. Amel - Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:43am PDT

I like both but I must say that I prefer the original because there's more rythm, with Chris Brown etc

72. Kim & Matt - Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:45am PDT

I am giving my support to Rissi Palmer. Although Jordin Sparks and Chris's version is great.....I just think that a twist on it with Rissi alone is more meaning full.....it is telling a story of a love gone wrong....how can someone be alone with no air with two people singing the song?

73. cheryl m - Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:47am PDT

Sorry, Rissi has a great voice but the emotion and depth of the song with Jordin and Chris was the best. I like country but some songs are best left to the pop world. Jordin and Chris rocked it and made me want to pull my man in close, the beach well, not quite. :)

74. Yahoo! Music User - Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:20am PDT

it's nice to see that song done in a different type of music background but there is no variation to the song Rissi sounds just like the Jordin. i like Jordin/Chris version because of the passion they brought to it. Rissi though she has a nice voice if you are going to remake a song make it your own and not copy the vocals of the original person. but good effort nice voice

75. bigguhnzz - Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:32am PDT

Jordins version is the best, no doubt. Why would you go and try to imitate or cover someone elses song. Rissi cant be original enough to come up with her own songs, the last thing this world needs is a country version of the real thing. Country SUXX ASSSSSS

76. gw - Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:55am PDT

Without a doubt Jordin Sparks's version is the best. I feel that her version is fresher, more truthful and honest. Rissi Palmer comes across as an arrogant person in her judgement of Jordin's album. I also thinks that it is an extremely a low blow and poor taste for Ms. Rissi to cover a song that is still being played on the radio by the original singer. There are plenty of songs out there, and it borders on rude for Ms. Rissi to have chosen "No Air." Shame on you Ms. Rissi. If you're a new artist, then starting out like this is bad karma.

77. LaDonna - Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:05am PDT

Clearly ppl mistakenly dont give "American Idol" credit for discovering talent. Jordin is awesome. Btw, Rissi is new to this so tryin to make an original her own is not a good way to be discovered. The original is way better than Rissi's version. Jordin & Chris make it more real and Rissi's is no comparison. Rissi's voice is good but Jordin & Chris blow Rissi away.

78. Aisha K - Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:19am PDT

That was a great cover. I like both versions, but I'm not really a country fan, so I'll have to say I like the original better. I do like Rissi's take on it, just not the country feel of the song. I like the more pop/r&b feel for Jordin's version. I also think it sounds so much better as a duet.

79. KimberlyW - Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:23am PDT

I liked both versions and I think both ladies are talented. I wish them both the best. Chris Brown can take me down any time he wants.

80. Jessy - Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:27am PDT

I love both versions....but...Rissi's version has better vocal opportunity. Less of the extra chorus runs and such. Rissi actually sings the song rather than trying to do a bunch of vocal acrobatics. Way to go Rissi.

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