"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) 

"Triumphant…this self-released project is world-class. A deeply passionate, profoundly eclectic collection, 'Out of the Dark' is a giant step forward for Parker, ranging from Latin-tinged blues and New Orleans-flavored R&B to barroom boogie and pure '70s pop. With her dynamically emotional and goosebump-inducing voice, Parker is consistently convincing…songs also have the potential to heal others who might relate to her narratives." (Jon Bream/Star-Tribune) 

"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) 

"Produced by Kevin Bowe, all tracks were co-written with guitarist Mark Lamoine, but the lyrics pack a wallop that is pure Parker. If this doesn't kick in the door of national fame for Parker, there's no hope for the music industry." (Kevin O'Connor/Star-Tribune) 

"Blasting forth defiantly...with the throbbing 'Memphis,' the Minnesota blueswoman throws down a gauntlet and sets a high bar of expectations that the rest of this 13-track album generally meets. It showcases her as a singing, songwriting (with guitarist Mark Lamoine), guitar-playing, self-producing, self-aware powerhouse, but the driving force is unquestionably her voice — a formidable instrument she wields with soul and taste. RIYL Shemekia Copeland and Janiva Magness." (Bliss Bowen/Pasadena Weekly) 

"Parker sings each number with feeling and expression." (Dave Luhrssen/Shepherd Express) 

"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. With Joyann Parkers behind the wheel, her sophomore effort in Out of the Dark digs into old school R&B…that's heavy on the B, using the Blues to dance around with Country, Funk and Gospel." (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) 

"11 diverse, superb tracks...Joyann Parker has a helluva great voice!...(Tim Parsons/Tahoe OnStage) 

"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) 

"...powerful pipes and lyric sets conveying a wide range of sentiments. Her soulful vocal instincts establish themselves instantly...Rock-solid instrumental back up throughout." (Duane Verh/Roots Music Report) 

"This smoldering and stylistically diverse record was born out of passion and perseverance, with the powerful pipes of Parker the common denominator throughout….A compelling statement of personal and artistic growth"  (Breton Towler/Blues Rock Review) 

"Parker has a terrific voice and she and Lamoine have written several very good songs"…(Tom Von Malder/Courier Publications) 

"This soulful collection of songs should further establish Parker as an artist worth following…this album will be first on December's list of 2021's best." (Richard Ludmerer/Making A Scene) 

"She shares her soul with her followers...You don’t want to miss this one....There’s not a bad cut on the 11 songs on this CD. Joyann is clearly a singer, songwriter who is comfortable in her own skin, always reaching from her own complicated journey to bring us her best." (Jim Clark/Lee County Courier) 

"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) 

"an empowering new album" (Fox9) 

"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) 

"...a solid set of radio directed tracks with plenty of beef...powerful vocals." (Bmans Blues Report) 

"optimistic and positive message...There is a strength in Joyann Parker’s voice... I am completely swept up in the music. Isn’t it wonderful when an artist can have that effect?" (Michael Doherty/Michael's Music Log) 

"rootsy, genre-blending...Parker’s new album, Out of the Dark, shows how much she’s grown, personally and artistically." (Michael Limnios/blues.gr)