Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Talent like Toby's is hard to find in today's music scene!, August 3, 2004
Toby Lightman is the first female voice to come along in a long time that displays true musical talent. The lyrics she puts together in her songs tell a story - make you think about what you're hearing. They range in topics from the laid back "Running Away" to the powerful "The River" (my favorite on the album) and songs like "Front Row" about her interaction with a (fictional) audience member "Don't Wanna Know" which is alomst the opposite point of view - from the fan's perspective of thier idol. Of course these are just my takes on the songs, and that's what makes them so great, you really sit and think about what they mean and figure out different scenarios. And best yet, you can actually understand what she's saying. She is completely original. I don't understand much of the comparisons that have been made in her style. I would agree she is in the same genre as many of the other artists she has been compared to, but her style is totally unique. The album shows such versatility, so many different techniques. For a first album it is very polished - the video for "Devils and Angels" was first rate. Now you can get this new release of the CD with Toby's cover of "Real Love", the Mary J. Blige classic, and let me just say, sorry Mary J. but Toby sings it better than you do! :) The video for "Real Love" is also awesome.
But even better is hearing her live - just her and her guitarist Eddy if you're lucky. Their acoustic dueling together is amazing. In fact, I'd love it if she made an acoustic remake of the album. I would recommend this album to everyone (in fact I do). A true original talent. I certainly hope she survives a business full of gushy pop and gritty grunge.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rock Star (and R&B) in our midst, April 27, 2005
What a rare treat to put on a CD and enjoy it from beginning to end on the first listen. I was fortunate enough to attend a live showcase of Toby Lightman in January and she knocked my sock off. So much power, range and soul in a relatively compact package. And what pipes. If you like any of the artists I listed above, I strongly enocurage you to give Lightman a listen. You will be immediately hooked. The album is a rare instance of great song selection (she writes or co-writes her own sutff) and amazing production. I remember the first time I listened to Nora Jones, I thought that there was an amazing consistency and coherence to the album. While Lightman's album is definitely edgier than, say, a Nora Jones, the same conherence is there. This is the kind of album you can leave on in the car or home and just listen over and over. While there are some standout tracks with major "hit" potential (Devils & Angels, The River...I also like Front Row), there are no weak links on the record. It all flows together so nicely. What a fantastic debut for the artist, and big credit to the producer (Peter Zizzo, who google tells me discovered Avril Lavigne and Vanessa Carlton...this guy is on a hot streak!). P.S. If Lightman is in your area, go see her live; it is a phenomenal show.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Little Things by Toby Lightman is an Incredible CD, September 3, 2004
By A Customer
Toby Lightman's debut cd Little Things is a phenomenal combination of rock, R and B and soul. Certainly her cd stands among the glutton of mediocrity that the marketplace has produced over the past couple of years. On the one had, Toby's cd has an air of familiarity that is comparable to the likes of Sheryl Crow or Mary J. Blige, on thet other hand her work is very fresh, exciting and exceptional.
Toby's voice is extraordinary and powerful. Her voice lifts her live performances to another level. I am constantly floored how someone so small has such a powerful voice.
Little Things is filled with many dazzling tracks. Devils and Angels mixes dynamic acoustic guitar with R and B and Lightman's sparkling vocals to create an irresistible first single. Front Row, a song about a male groupie, is definitely one of the most soulful songs on Little Things. Frightened is a wonderful straight forward ballad. Voices is another remarkable arrangement which has more of a rock feel than her typical songs. Coming Back In echoes the temptations of being drawn to an ex lover. The bonus track on the CD is an amazing remake of the Mary J. Blige classic called Real Love. Toby's version of Real Love really showcases her vocal talents and Toby adds her own flair and style to the song. With the unbelievable songwriting and singing talent that Toby possess, one could only imagine the great things that Toby will create in the future. Little Things is the beginning of many great things to come.
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