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Have you heard Toni's
new CD?
She would love to have
your comments .


or alternatively
Toni
was ......
2005 U.S.A. Songwriting Contest Finalist, (Pop Category ) for "Deeper"
2004 U.S.A. Songwriting Contest Finalist, (Pop Category) for "Undertow"
2001 Merlefest Songwriting Contest Winner, (General Category) for
"Me and My Heartache on the Run"..
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Maverick Magazine review.
February 2007 issue
Toni Catlin
Uncovered
Catlines Music
"4 out of 5 star rating
Nashville-based singer-songwriter with an honest, thought-provoking
style
Toni Catlin made her recording debut five years ago with the release
of HEARTACHE ON THE RUN. Now she follows it up with an equally impressive
album which Mary Gauthier describes as 'fantastic', adding, 'Her
singing is stunning, simply beautiful. Her songs are first rate,
and her style crosses many genres;' high praise indeed from a singer-songwriter
who is held in high esteem by her peers. It is difficult to categorise
Catlin's music but then, why should everything be neatly pigeonholed?
Influenced by the likes of Lucinda Williams, Shawn Colvin, Patty
Griffin and others of similar ilk one could say that stylistically
she broadly fits in with these without ever being branded a clone.
Enlisting the help of a number of co-writers she worked with on
her first album, Catlin's name is appended to all fourteen songs,
two of which, Disappear and When The Morning Comes she has written
on her own. Without exception, the songs are, as Mary Gauthier proclaims,
first rate, sensitive, literate, poetic with the lyrics strongly
suggesting that Ms Catlin is not only wearing her heart on her sleeve
but convincingly revealing her own life experiences which elevate
them above much of the mish-mash pap churned out by retained nine-to-five
writers and grabbed, off the peg, by some a&r guy for the newest
pretty face on the scene who doesn't even get to see the song until
she is actually in the studio.
A number of the songs relate to a certain insecurity
in the game of love. Not Goin' Down offering unequivocal advice
to a wavering lover that, although the protagonist is prepared to
fight to keep the flame aglow, love is a two way thing and if he
fails to respond then the battle is lost. The driving Undertow shares
a similar theme as indeed do Uncovered, Break Me Open and Shooting
Arrows In The Dark, pleas to lovers to commit themselves to a deep
and meaningful relationship. Strong Stuff, on the other hand, tells
us of the singer's addiction to the touch of her lover and we find
her making all the running on A Little Leads To More and Deeper
while Disappear, one of the highlights of the album, with its sad
sense of resignation, is one of the most poignant songs I have heard
in a long while. Another heartbreaker is When The Morning Comes
and this, coupled with Sunday Morning leave the listener in little
doubt as to what it feels like to be the loser in love. None of
these are mere 'nine-to-five' jingles. There is potency about every
one, which makes for compelling listening.
Jointly produced by Doug Lancio, who has worked
with Gretchen Peters and Patty Griffin, and Thom Jutz, well known
for his work with Richard Dobson for a number of years, the production
is well suited to the material. There is a good balance between
insistent, driving numbers, mid-paced songs and slow, heartfelt
ballads. At no time is the singer drowned out by her backing which,
in the experienced hands of Lancio and Jutz, offer exactly the right
vehicle for the lyrics. It has been a five-year wait since Ms Catlin's
last album. This lady has something fresh and meaningful to offer
so one can only hope that we will not have to wait as long for her
next album.
UNCOVERED should be readily available through
most good import stores or may be purchased via Toni's website."
LK - ©Maverick 2007

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