Press

Smartchoicemusic.com
"Amy's powerful and emotive vocal style is reminiscent of Martina Mcbride or Carrie Underwood, but with something of a Patsy Cline-esque sultry delivery. Top quality musicianship sets Balladacious apart from its peers, featuring Steve and Jerry Maynard, Bobby Flores and Tommy Detamore."

Jim Beal-San Antonio Express News December 2011
Here's the book on today's country music: a.) It's really rock 'n' roll a la the Eagles; or b.) It's really pop a la Peggy Lee at best, pop a la whatever sound is dominating the Top 40 at worst.

But real country music still exists, hard-core, hard-edged honky-tonk by the likes of Arty Hill and the Long Gone Daddys, Eilen Jewell and a slew of Bloodshot-label artists as well as real-deal country music by keepers of the flame such as Johnny Bush, Dale Watson and Connie Smith.

South Texas native Amy Francis is in the real country number. With the aptly titled Balladacious, Francis puts her beautiful voice to work on classic country ballads such as I'm Still Not Over You, Ode to Billie Joe, Apartment #9 and Sweet Dreams.

Francis revisits and reclaims trails that have been covered by the dust of disuse and the brambles of misuse. Francis has powerful pipes, which she doesn't overuse, exceptional control and the sure and certain knowledge that emotion and belief drive real country music. Backed by a first-call band including guitarist/steel guitarist/producer Tommy Detamore and guitarist Kenny Penny (and her 16-year-old son Zachary on cello on a couple tracks), Francis helps put real country back in music.

JIM BEAL JR.

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/article/Album-reviews-Amy-Francis-Joe-Nichols-2348539.php#ixzz1fnJTfhCH


December 2011 issue of Country Music People Magazine
"Balladacious" received a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The morning this CD arrived in the post I was facing a one hour drive. The cover looked great, I liked the title “Balladacious”, and a cursory look at the familiar titles clinched it, so out I went, knowing nothing of Amy Francis or the origins of this CD.
Well, I don’t think I could ever tire of hearing Hank Cochran’s Don’t Touch Me, but this one blew me away. Not only does Amy have a set of pipes, but the arrangement, all very Patsy Cline, with some wonderful fiddle flourishes and fantastic steel guitar, was absolutely stunning. I even liked the intake of breath at the very beginning. I was pretty sure this must have come from RCA Studio B, or been a long lost Owen Bradley set, and that was only the opening track. And as the songs continued I was more and more impressed. There are string arrangements of which Nelson Riddle would have been proud, tinkling piano straight out of 1960s Music Row, and the whole set just oozed class.
By the time I reached my destination I had heard Balladacious twice and finally got to read the credits. I’ve admired the work of Tommy Detamore for years, and he is one of my favourite steel players, but was pleasantly surprised to see his name (and Floresville, Texas studio) on the production credits. This is probably the best produced album I’ve heard this year.
Other familiar names were also present. Steve Maynard, who made one of the albums of last year, was on piano (Jerry Maynard also provides some bvs), and the fiddle that had so impressed on Don’t Touch Me was by Bobby Flores.
The songs are, as the title suggests, all ballads, some newer than others, and most likely fairly familiar to CMP readers. Tammy’s Apartment #9, Patsy Cline’s Sweet Dreams, Brenda Lee’s Fool Number One, and one of Ray Price’s finest moments, I’m Still Not Over You (also cut last year by Teea Goans) sit comfortably alongside Vince Gill’s When I Call Your Name and Larry Boone’s Stranger Things Have Happened. Less comfortable was Ode To Billy Joe, which apart from not being a particular favourite of mine seemed somewhat out of place amongst the lush arrangements on the rest of the album. That said though, Amy Francis sings it as well as anybody, in fact she sings all of these songs as well as anybody.
Further investigation shows that Francis has been performing professionally for 20 years, has previously made a couple of solo albums and has featured vocally on recordings by the likes of Two Tons Of Steel and Jake Owen.
Fans of the Teea Goan record from last year are going to love this, but the musicianship and production take it to a whole other level. One word – “quality”.
-Duncan Warwick, Country Music People Magazine


iTunes Customer reviews
"Balladacious is awesome!!!"

"Looking for some amazing classic country? You found it here in "Balladacious" by Amy Francis. Her smooth voice is easy on the ears and you'll find yourself playing her over and over again. Buy and enjoy!"

"With strong production value, amazing musicianship, and Amy Francis's expressive and dynamic voice, this album breathes new life into the classics. This is a great addition to any true country music lover's collection."

"By far, amazing!!! A cultured and dynamic voice, just as awesome in person! So glad she hasn't stopped singing! This woman is golden"

Honkytonkinmusic.com
" From time to time an artist comes along that's got "it" and Amy Francis is certainly in the "it"category. All of the songs are covers and also ballads; hence the title Balladacious probably borrowed from Mr. Bojangles' Bodacious. Amy more than holds a light to those that made these evergreens famous and in some cases shines a little brighter. If you're a fan of classic country's most popular ballads, don't pass this one up it's a great CD even the originals weren't any better and some were not as good. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. "