- Bryon Harris
Amber Rae Dunn - 'Pretty Paper'
Review by Patrick Joseph & Staff
“Pretty Paper” washes over you like a glass of bourbon. Shades of Patsy Cline and LeAnne Rimes mix together in a deep-country holiday meditation and create an enchanting sound. Amber Rae Dunn shines on this track as a story-teller and conveyor of the human condition. The track opens with delicate piano melodies and haunting vocal expressions over a delicate and beautiful rhythm section compete with sustained snare brushes and organ. This emotional space is maintained and elaborated on throughout the song, inspiring reflection in the listener.
Like the great Willie Nelson before her, Amber Rae Dunn delivers this song as a narrative. Though the lyrics are ambiguous the vocal inflections create a sense of knowing. The listener is drawn in and encouraged to apply their own meaning to this song. The band is spot on and Dunn acts a conduit, alternatively soaring with her voice to deliver the chorus, and sensitively talking the verses.
“Pretty Paper” is full of instrumental prowess. The band sounds like a group of seasoned pros. Piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and dobro take turns with the “fills,” creating beautiful ornamentations over a sparse but sophisticated rhythm track. All elements combine to create a melancholy and beautiful sound. “Pretty Paper” absolutely honors the traditions of the past, yet maintains a fresh and genuine feeling. This is simply good music that is well played and sang with integrity and dazzle. Make sure this one it on your holiday playlist!
Stream on Spotify.
For more information on Amber Rae Dunn, please visit her website.
About Amber Rae Dunn
Nominated for both Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year in 2018 by the Tennessee Music Awards Amber Rae Dunn and her band “Amber Rae Dunn and the Mulberries” have an infectious way of captivating their audiences and making them feel like part of the show. Since the release of her first original album “Arkansas Line” in 2017 recorded with two time Grammy award winning producer Mark Goodman & Andrew Cabigao at MGP The Studio featuring Rex Wiseman of the Oak Ridge Boys amongst others, Dunn has performed fearlessly on every stage she’s set foot on.
After winning NASH Next Top Regional artist for the Mid-South last year Jessica Northey a digital consultant with Finger Candy Media and one of Forbes Top 50 Power Influencer’s said, “I love how Pure Country [she is]. It’s one of the biggest things missing in country music these days. The country part!” She’s opened for big name country acts such as Gary Allen, Radio Romance, Jordan Davis, and the Rhodes Show. Through these experiences she’s learning more and more each day about the demand this industry can have, but if anyone is up for the challenge it’s Amber.
She’s currently held title as Memphis Songwriters Associations Vice President for two years and Co-Hosts a songwriter showcase in Memphis each week called “Meet Me in Memphis” at South Main Sounds while working part-time as a visiting teacher with the Delta Arts since graduating Memphis College of art back in 2012 with a degree in Sculpture. When asked why she moved from Nashville to pursue her music in Memphis she says “for one I feel more creative here, these are MY people and two, well who’s the King of Memphis Blues? B.B. King. Who’s the king of Memphis Rock n’ Roll? Elvis Presley. Now who’s the queen of Memphis country? …Amber Rae Dunn!” and that’s exactly who she plans to be!
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