Charisma and talent to spare

by Jim Trageser
This review first appeared in the January 14, 1994 issue of the North County Blade-Citizen (now North County Times).

Two years ago, when Texas blues promoter Clifford Antone brought his "Women in Blues" show to the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, Toni Price stole the show. Sultry and soulful with a hard-edged seducrtiveness much like Janis Joplin's, Price won over a discriminating crowd that was there to see headliners Lou Ann Barton and Sue Foley.

Her debut, picked up from Antone's own blues label by the L.A.-based Discovery jazz label, shows that her magic translates well to the stereo system.

Three of the cuts – Gwil Owen's "Throw Me a Bone," Bill Carter's "Richest One" and "Twelve Bar Blues" by Jaynie Trudell and Sherrie Hartsoe – are absolute classics in both composition and performance. (And not coincidentally, all three are in heavy rotation on KKOS 95.9 FM in Carlsbad.)

Price is a world-class signer who brings strong blues and country influences to what is a very accessible pop blending.