Toni Lynn Washington
Been So Long (Northern Blues Music)
By: Mark A. Lawrence the IV
The jazzy sound of the CD Been So Long creates a wonderful pillow to embroider the voice of Toni Lynn Washington, whose soulful sound oozes with all the things that makes a woman powerful."Back Water Blues" strips things down to its simplest elements, with a jive that grabs you and makes you sway like a willow in a strong wind. The band backing Washington can play some dynamic stuff like the assertive guitar solos of "Are You Happy Now?" provided by Kevin Blez.
Mrs. Washington taps deep into her soul to deliver "Everyday Will Be A Holiday", providing a classic feel mixing the early jazz/blues of Ella Fitzgerald and the sweet soul sound of the great Motown era.
"Shake Me" on the other hand, is a sultry song that struts around, swaying hips in a way that makes thinking dirty feel so good.
Been So Long is a CD that should be in the collection of anyone who loves blues. You can tell by her music that Toni Lynn Washington is one of those powerful, sexy, awesome women who knows a ladies strength is not found in how much skin they show, but by knowing who they are and how they carry themselves. Too bad no one ever taught this to the women singing in the music world today. Rating: A
