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

121. Toni - Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:41am PDT

They are very similar but I like the new version better because it is softer.

Report abuse

122. Nicole - Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:51am PDT

i like the original

123. Yahoo! Music User - Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:52am PDT

I love Jordin Sparks' original version is better.

124. Yahoo! Music User - Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:53am PDT

I definitely liked Jordan Sparks version better, there is just something in her voice that carries the sound and makes it sound better.Hurrah for Jordan!!!!

125. Adrian - Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:59am PDT

This is what they use to do back in the day, cross over songs. I like the original. This version is to boring, I like country, don't get me wrong. But there are some songs that just have to stay in it's genre. Jordin did a AWESOME job! Here voice pushes out the notes with strength and depth.

126. mumbi o - Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:11pm PDT

Their voices are so similar that if the production had been the same, the songs would be identical.

Less screaming, she plays her own instrument (which is awesome!), and no male pop star behind her. But the vocal skills are identical!

I think it's cheating for her to come out with such a similar version.

127. Agnes Loretta - Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:14pm PDT

I think Rissie has done a great job with this song. I love her unique voice, and I see bigger and better things for her. Would be honored to write something for her one day. Great sounding young woman. Loretta

128. Anthony - Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:15pm PDT

Rissi's version is sooo boring!! There is no emotion in it and thats totally opposite of how country music is. blah

129. Yahoo! Music User - Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:20pm PDT

Well I think that both versions are good. I think that the pain is more visible in Jordin's version and that Rissi's melody with the lyrics sounds a lil happier. In Jordin's voice you can hear the pain, I can't really hear that in Rissi's. Even though Rissi's version is less generic. Both provide something unique to the song.

130. Michelle - Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:27pm PDT

I like Rissi's take on the song, especially the fiddle. Rissi's vocals are stronger than Jordin's on this song. I do like the duet better just because I love Chris Brown.

131. Me - Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:41pm PDT

Rissi's version is much more breezy than Jordin's. Almost feel good, instead of the pain that's felt with Jordin's. I think it's more of a testemant of how great the song is, that it can be so good with two different singers. Hats off to the writers and producers.

132. Avis - Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:43pm PDT

The songs sound a lot alike, but I must say I absolutely love the way Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown sing this song. Jordin and Chris all the way!!

133. Victoriaw - Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:56pm PDT

I like both they both did a great job but I have to say you can't judge thy're not the same really one is country one is pop big difference

134. Lydia - Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:27pm PDT

I like the original one better dont get me wrong Rissi's is great also but like Jordins the best

135. Noami L - Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:34pm PDT

i like jordin cuz she puts feelings into her voice and it is stronger so......original

136. Kitty - Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:34pm PDT

Jordin's is better, I get goosebumps just when it starts. Didn't get that with Rissi's version. Plus the duet gives it that "Umph!", you know? Rissi has her own style that still makes it work, but the original is most definitely best.

137. Raine - Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:34pm PDT

I love them both! But Rissi definitely gives Jordin and Chris a run for their money!

138. Gene - Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:36pm PDT

Rissi version is better because I listen to a lot of country music. It was like wow, wait a minute, that's not Jordon. Very nice Rissi, keep up the good work. Love the album!

139. sheila - Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:45pm PDT

I like the original by Jordin Sparks. She sounds awesome with Chris Brown!!

140. Hillary08Chick - Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:48pm PDT

When I originally heard jordin's version, I thought there was something slightly off about it. Rissi’s version fits the song better.

« Prev

Page: 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Leave Your Comment

You must sign in to leave a comment

	And The Winner Is... by Paul Grein	30
	As Heard On... by Lyndsey Parker	48
	Chart Watch by Paul Grein	148
	Framed by John Kordosh	123
	GetBack by Shawn Amos	345
	Hip-Hop Media Training by Billy Johnson, Jr.	238
	List Of The Day by Rob O'Connor	337
	Maximum Performance by Lyndsey Parker	167
	Musictoob by Andy Pemberton	199
	New This Week by Dave DiMartino	126
	Reality Rocks by Lyndsey Parker	609
	Rock's Backpages by Ben Myers (1999)	199
	Stop The Presses! by Lyndsey Parker	88
	That's Really Week by Billy Johnson, Jr.	128
	The Blender Burner by Blender Magazine	27
	The MOJO Blog by Bill DeMain	92
	The NME Blog by Luke Lewis	50
	The Spin Blog by David Marchese	80
	The Y! Music Playlist Blog by Robert of the Radish	532
	Video Ga Ga by Lyndsey Parker	74
	Viva NashVegas by Wendy Geller	66

Music Blogs

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

Yahoo! Music Blogs

Music Blog Archives

Most Comments

Adam Lambert's Album Cover: Xanadu, Or A Xana-Don't?

Chris Brown Responds To Rihanna's Tell All TV Interview

"Bad Day" Named One-Hit Wonder Of The Decade

Rap Music Should Be Included In Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

Hot Topic Punks in a Fake Punk World

Shakira Changed Name And Wore Disguise For UCLA Class

Nov. 30-Dec. 6: Grammy Whammies & Runner-Up Rebounds

52nd Annual Grammy Nominees Are Fierce & Fearless

Double Trouble: Worst 'X Factor' Performance Ever? Or BEST?

Taylor Swift Triumphs In Absentia, And Other AMAs Bests and Worsts

Music News

Reports: Aerosmith's Tyler enters rehab

Rapper Kid Cudi held at gunpoint by LAPD

Argentine-Mexican women rockers won over by cumbia