Toni Lynn Washington's third album on the Tone-Cool imprint is the epitome of cool.
Toni Lynn has never been a
Koko Taylor-style blues screamer, instead choosing to deliver her vocals in a smoother and jazzier style, and she has never sounded better. Producer
Bobby Keyes sets
Washington right into the heart of some fine musical arrangements, and the sound is blues at its best. "Good Things Come to Those Who Wait" opens the album with a soulful vocal, surrounded by layer upon layer of equally soulful horns. She delivers the lyrics with delicious cool. "You're Gonna Make Me Cry," which closes out this 12-song disc, combines elements of gospel and the blues for a soul-stirring performance that is sure to please. The uptempo "Allright, Okay, You Win" sets the house to rocking, and
Washington stays right in the groove. While she is known for her laid-back style, she proves that she can hold her own when the rhythm kicks into high gear. The Stax-style soul of "Looking at the Future" allows the singer to stretch even further, and she proves once again that she can handle any style of blues song. It is, however, on songs like the jazzy blues ballad "We Don't See Eye to Eye" that
Washington's star truly shines the brightest. ~ Michael B. Smith