Bird on a Wire

Toby Lightman

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 25, 2006)
• Original Release Date: July 25, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lava
• ASIN: B000G1ALJI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,483 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
There's a music biz truism that says an artist has her whole life to write her first album and six months to write her second. What that statement fails to take into account are maturation and inspiration--two elements present in abundance throughout Bird On A Wire, the surprising second album from New York-based writer/artist Toby Lightman. With 13 songs running the gamut from the Rufus-style funk-pop of "Slipping" to the moving lullaby "Better" and the modern-day torch song "Weight of the World", the album documents an uncommonly gifted young artist in the act of becoming fully herself.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delight to the ears, December 11, 2006

By	Krissi (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

"Bird on a Wire" is just a delight to the ears. The album shows off Toby's ability to sing in so many different vocal styles, each with such ease. From the soulfulness of "Don't Wake Me" and "Overflowing" to the thoughtful introspection of "Weight of the World" to the sexy jazzy "Slippin'" to the wholesome sweetness of "Better" and the blunt honesty of "My Sweet Song" (come on, admit it...we all have a song we feel that way about!). I can listen to the album a million and one times over and over and never get sick of it.

To those who criticize the lyrics of some songs, learn to occasionally enjoy simplicity, and everyday messages most anyone can relate to without using a hieroglyphics decoder. And don't forgot that sometimes hidden among simple words are deeper meanings - I feel that in Toby's voice. I think the album is gutsy, sexy and real. An awesome accomplishment and a beautiful follow-up to "Little Things".

If you get the chance to catch Toby live, do it. Once you see how she "feels" these songs you can only love them and her even more.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You're a Flower Blooming in the Desert Sunshine, July 25, 2006

By	Scooter McGavin (Ohio) - See all my reviews

Sadly, Toby Lightman's debut album was overlooked, but now she's back for another try with a vastly improved and more mature sound. But Bird on a Wire doesn't stray from the blue-eyed soul of her first outing. The opener Don't Wake Me starts off with a gospel feel that turns funky quick drawing you into the album. Then Don't let Go struts along and will make you tap your foot without realizing.

Throughout the album, the songs take you on different journeys like with Tripping which is reminiscing of the girl group era of the sixties. Round and Round lives up to its title as Lightman builds the song up only to have it come crashing down just to build it back up again. The acoustic guitar that starts off Alone sounds like a sped up version of Ryan Adam's version of Wonderwall only to morph into a rocker that wouldn't be out of place on a Michelle Branch album while Holding Me Down starts off much like Devils and Angels from her last album, but then goes into a different direction.. Overflowing bounces along like something you make have heard in a cabaret.

Where Lightman shows off her voice is when she slows things down and strips away and softens the backing musicians. On songs like My Sweet Song and One Sure Thing it sounds like she's channeling Ella Fitzgerald but still makes the songs sound modern at the same time. Then there's Better which could arguably have the best bass line of a slow song in recent memory aside from Crazy by Gnarls Barkley and Toby's toned down voice on the track blends perfectly with it. The album closes with two songs, I'd Be Lost and Good Find, that should be listened to at night with the windows rolled down while leisurely driving. Hopefully for Toby Lightman the second time will be the charm.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars CD showcases Toby's soulful voice, August 26, 2006

By	J. Wolff (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album is beautiful! Her voice shines through this one more than her debut album because there's not as much going on in the songs to compete with her voice. I hear a retro vibe going on and the first song made me think of Carol King. The sound is much simpler and I think this one is more of a showcase as to what she is capable of. There are fast and slow songs, retro and modern which just makes me love the album!