After
three acclaimed prior releases on Tone-Cool Records,
Toni Lynn
Washington has moved to the young, Canadian-based NorthernBlues label.
Bruce Bears (keyboardist / musical director / road manager) formed the new
partnership and the new album, Been So Long, was produced by Duke Robillard. Toni states,
"I was blown away when they told me he was going to be producing it. His
studio is a work of art. I had a lot of fun performing with the different
musicians that was on it."

Been So Long combines one classy lady with
one classy band. In addition to Robillard (who also performs on a few
tracks), other big-namers include: Gordon Beadle, Doug James (both on sax)
and Dukeís rhythm section.

13 cover songs, primarily by famous blues women like Bessie Smith, Betty
Everett and Ma Rainey, are on this 70- minute relaxed disc. You will
experience smooth yet sassy vocals with an equally polished rhythm on
"Donít Want Nobody." The horns make the song bop and provide an element of
old school R&B. On "Itís Love Baby," Toniís gravel-like vocals contain as
much sand as a bowl of New England clam chowder. Washington commands this
classic song like a grand lady of the blues. Dukeís guitar solo is twangy
and reverberating, which makes for a great moment. Kevin Belzís guitar is
more abrasive than Dukeís, as heard on "Are You Happy Now?," which features
a catchy hook by the horns.

"Itís Been A Long Time" is swinging and
jumping and full of life. Toniís energy abounds and rubs off on the rest
of the band, especially Bruce, who is all over his 88s. "Everyday Will Be
Like A Holiday" is another time-honored tune. It contains a loving melody
and loving words. The warm sax solo and Toni Lynnís emotionally-charged
vocals will make the iciest heart melt.

Due to the deep, thick rhythm,
"Three Can Play The Game" is ultra-slick. Bruceís electric piano depicts
1970s funk jazz fusion. The music of "I Donít Hurt Anymore" will transform
you to a 1940s era ballroom dance-hall where the smoke is thick and the
talk is cheap. Next, you are transported to an uptown, cigar and martini,
jazz lounge on "Willow Weep For Me." The melody to "Guilty" sounds like a
Sunday morning service at an evangelical service. There is plenty to stomp
your feet and clap your hands to here.

Even though her career spans four decades and stretches from coast to coast,
Toni isnít one to sing her own praises. About her new record she simply
states, "I think the product sounds pretty good." More realistically, her
singing, talking and jiving on the record is compelling evidence why
Washington has received multiple Handy Award nominations. The tunes are
not hard-edged and the vocal delivery does not cut like a sharp razor
because they are not supposed to. Toniís songs are not your predictable
blues tunes. Rather, they are full of soulful romanticism. The disc
prominently showcases her convicted and authoritarian vocals.

If you
arenít a fan of music that exhibits vocal power, this disc may not hold
your attention. The songs on this disc were performed and recorded as in
the glory days of R&B. This is life-enhancing music as performed by those
who live life to its fullest.

After enjoying Toni Lynn Washington's three Tone Cool CDs that preceded this new release,
Been So Long, on
the Toronto based Northern Blues label, I looked forward to hearing this
new release after its completion was announced, and I was pleased by the
professional production, great song selection and of course Toni Lynn
Washington's fine singing. Having seen her perform several times, I knew
what to expect since she is comfortable performing jazz, soul or rhythm &
blues. This release has a little of all three.

Produced in part by Duke Robillard, and with the great Sax Gordon on tenor sax the accompaniment is
stellar. I mean if you made an album, wouldn't you want Duke Robillard
playing guitar on it? Now on to the music.

The first track, "I Don't Want Nobody," is a Buddy Johnson song, and to quote
Toni Lynn, "...This tune has a really positive message in the lyrics,
loyalty
and faithfulness. Back in the '50s when the song first came out my parents
used to dance to it in our living room. That memory makes it fun to
perform, and whoee....I love those horns..."

The second track, "It's Love
Baby
(24 Hours A Day), is a trademark Ruth Brown song also from the '50s. I
remember Earl Gaines doing a killer version of this. The Betty Everett
song,
"It's Been A Long Time," was first performed by Toni Lynn in the
'70s. She
wanted a rocker on this CD, something to be her "Proud Mary." The Bessie
Smith "Backwater Blues" has never sounded better since Smith laid it down
all those years ago. "Are You Happy Now" comes from the pen of the Cate
Brothers, a mid-paced number with good lyrics.

For me, we now come to the
real killer track of this CD, William Bell's "Every Day Will Be A Holiday,"
a soul track that just works. Toni Lynn did this song with the returning
soldiers in mind. Earl King"s "Three Can Play The Game" is given a
new treatment by Toni Lynn and this terrific band. "I Don't Hurt Anymore "
was a hit for Dinah Washington (and Hank Snow) in 1954. "Willow Weep For
Me" was included as a tribute to Nina Simone. Another killer track is the
Faye Adams song "Guilty (Witness To The Crime)," which rocks with a gospel
roll. Lavern Baker's "Saved" immediately came to mind. Great stuff. "Angel
Eyes" is an old jazz standard that has been recorded by the likes of Jimmy
Scott and Gloria Lynne.

The CD ends with the funky "Down In The
Basement," a fine ending to what is by far her best outing to date.

If you enjoyed her other releases, you'll love
this one. If you don't know her music, this is a great place to start.