"She has the kind of vocal that can call down the stars when necessary, but then the woman can go quiet and deep in a way that is nothing short of devastating. It is a road of joy to discover what Joyann is capable of. It really is a road of surprises as genres and arrangements get sliced and diced in a most intriguing way. Every song is like a surprise, and what comes across clearest is that this woman is having the time of her life creating such a playbook...but in the end, It’s ROOTS which really brings to the fore that there is a new star in town, one who sings like her very life depends on it. That doesn’t happen that often.” — Bill Bentley, Americana Highways/Bentley’s Bandstand

 “A powder keg of emotion that infuses a heaping helping of blues across the roots spectrum.” Marty Gunther, Chicago Blues Guide

"Diverse musical sources that comprise American roots music—a little blues, a little country, a little rock ’n’ roll and more. Ambitious in its diversity and scope, while grounded in excellent musicianship and Parker’s robust and passionate vocal brilliance, Roots is a winner…a testament to the divine power of music to move us to a different spiritual plain…” — Steven A King, Living Blues 

"a mixture of roots-rock, pop, country, bluegrass, Americana...lyrics and delivery are great...Parker has hints of Janiva Magness and Marcia Ball in her voice...Her songs are fun and sassy, sometimes deep and sometimes bouncy…a good storyteller…” — Tom Henry, Toledo Blade 

"whatever goes on around her musically, not only can Parker’s songwriting pen poetically scribe from within the recessed crevices of a torn and tattered heart. But then her fire-and-ice voice delivers those sentiments with a been-there, been-hurt-like-that genuineness that palpably brings those words to life.” — Dennis Rozanski, Rock and Blues Muse 

" Joyann Parker again delivers the power, the emotional heat and the lyrical grace she’s shown before on a succession of sharply-crafted tracks that grab the ear and maintain their grip.” — Duane Verh, Roots Music Report 

"Joyann Parker is an electrifying and versatile musician whose soulful voice, captivating performances, and impeccable songwriting have taken the music scene by storm...With a voice that exudes both power and vulnerability, Joyann’s performances are nothing short of a revelation, leaving audiences spellbound with every note she delivers. Whether she’s belting out a soulful ballad or shredding on her guitar, her raw emotion and undeniable talent shine through, connecting with listeners on a profound level.” — Richard L’Hommedieu, Making A Scene 

"...a winner, full of original songs. Joyann has a great, powerful voice but never resorts to screaming and histrionics, making every track a pleasant listening experience...beautifully poised guitar and outstanding vocals...a must-hear disc.” — John Mitchell, Blues Matters! (UK)

"Joyann Parker knows her way around a song. She climbs inside it, dwells in it, lives with every note and phrase, delivering performances that seize our emotions and capture the ragged despair and heightened joy of life." (Henry L. Carrigan, Jr./Living Blues Magazine)

"Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter Joyann Parker is sheer joy. Not in a sweet and sentimental way, but with a saucy and sexy growl. And with an intelligent and intriguing style, as well...a lot of heart and a lot of character to go along with the humor and occasional moments of introspection." (Tom Henry/Toledo Blade) 

"Throughout Parker’s totally commanding powerhouse pipes prevail. Better yet, she comes across with honesty and conviction, never seeming to try too hard. She’s a flat-out dynamo." (Jim Hynes/Glide Magazine) 

"deeply soulful…classy, R&B-flavored Americana…Alternately sultry and sassy, Parker's strong, dynamic vocals lead the parade strutting all over a bawdy, unrepentantly sinful 'Dirty Rotten Guy' -- think Mae West fronting a brassy second line shimmy through jazzy New Orleans -- and smoldering through the rusted, country blues whine of 'Gone So Long.' She warns her fellow ladies about a wolfish cad in 'Predator,' with its smooth, lurching Latin groove, and lists the rich simmering gospel blues of 'Carry On' and its Book of Isaiah inspiration to the rafters while revealing her vulnerability in the plaintive roots-music ballad 'Either Way.' She's a complicated woman…" (Peter Lindblad/Elmore Magazine) 

"a singing, songwriting, guitar-playing, self-producing, self-aware powerhouse, but the driving force is unquestionably her voice — a formidable instrument she wields with soul and taste." (Bliss Bowen/Pasadena Weekly) 

"Hers is a voice that's both booming and soulful. Joyann Parker has a croon that comes in loud and clear, confident in its calling and silky smooth in its delivery, one of the many vital parts to the vehicle that delivers a big package of Americana." (Bryant Liggett/The Alternate Root)  

"Multi-faceted and versatile, Joyann Parker is a song-slayer, her feet firmly planted on the floor, her vocals emanating from a deep and centered place. With a voice and range like hers, she could sing just about anything but you can hear on Out of the Dark that she’s deeply committed to each track...A master class in soulful singing and songwriting...Even after repeated listens, the hair on my arms stood on end. Highly recommended." (Martine Ehrenclou/Rock & Blues Muse) 

"She can belt on the big choruses, and emotes soulfully, but she shows the kind of restraint that suggest she’s a true professional and knows when a quiet phrase can be more powerful than a shout. While modern pop sounds can feel soulless and anonymous, it’s great to know there are still singers who haven’t lost touch with their roots."  (Brian Q. Newcomb/The Fire Note) 

"a rising star on our local music scene who's poised for national attention…a knockout" (Pamela Espeland/Artscape) 

"Throughout, Parker’s impressive vocals effortlessly navigate a broad range with gutty, breathy vocals one moment followed by clear, soaring roars the next. While she can navigate wordy passages without missing a beat, she can also linger over a lyric toying with the words to extract the necessary emotion.  And, there is emotion aplenty...stylistically diverse and highly enjoyable."  (Mark Smith/Jazz & Blues Report-Music Revue) 

"Joyann Parker's wonderful voice and a band that are as tight as the metaphorical drum...I love the way the songs are sequenced;...a timeless journey through the Blues...This album sizzles from start to finish and has many stand out songs; but two in particular would have had me coming back to them time and time again. The finale 'Out of The Dark' is almost claustrophobic the way Joyann turns the lights way down low and pours her broken heart out, leaving male listeners feeling guilty; even though they've never met the woman .... or perhaps that was just me. I'm going to take a deep breath here and whisper; this song and my actual Favourite Track, 'Bad Version of Myself' are both the type of songs that Amy Whitehouse may and should have gone on to record. Introspective, Bluesy, Jazzy, heartbreaking but still leaving you believing she's not a survivor but a powerful woman…" (Alan Harrison/The Rocking Magpie) 

"Parker’s voice is just as big and soulful, oozing emotion within each note...Writing again with Mark Lamoine (guitars), and working with Tim Wick (organ and piano), Parker (lead vocals and select guitar contributions) has crafted just shy of a dozen steaming songs of faithfulness, faithlessness, confidence, doubt, recrimination, and affirmation all of which inspire listeners to shake their arises... Within these recordings, she has found a genuine, authentic sweet spot of hard-driving blues, deep soul, and country honesty... Damn, this is good. An early, unifying favourite during this winter of discord." (Donald Teplyske/Fervor Coulee) 

"an extremely diverse yet very high quality set of music. From one song to the next, she can be suave, sultry, sassy, tortured or sensitive, with each emotion coming out in the 11 songs that were all co-written by Parker and guitarist Mark Lamoine…Perhaps Out of the Dark will be the album that propels Parker to blues stardom…Highly recommended." (Bill Mitchell/BluesBytes) 

"outstanding…an incredible vocalist who soars with a beauty and determination stretching her voice to peaks very few can find…This is an album that brings to the forefront a vocalist of world-class proportions and sounds better with every spin on the player." (Greg Johnson/Cascade Blues)