Anthony Toner - A Light Below The Door

Anthony Toner - Light Below The Door
2011, Dozens Of Cousins

Irish crooner Anthony Tonercontinues to impress with his second album, Light Below The Door. Asmooth voice, a distinctive flair for 1970's style singer/songwriter, rock andsoul sounds and solid songwriting make any concert or recording from Toner atreat, but he raises the bar a bit this time around. Opening with "All OfThe Above", Toner sews a memorable melody into an arrangement that's across between Barry Manilow and early Chicago. "Gratefully" findsToner using a talk/sing vocal style that is appealing. The song is intelligentand heartfelt, and is among the best that Toner has written to date. "EastOf Louise" is a brilliant story song about a friend that is full ofamazing imagery underscored by a subtle, acoustic-guitar driven arrangement.

"Way Too Dark" again usesstark imagery to build a picture of a single mom left high and dry in thelistener's mind. The blues/folk blend in the arrangement is anathema to theneurosis and longing that fill this tune. This is an absolute "Wow"moment for Toner, and is worth a listen even if the album escapes yourattention. "You're The One" is a classic, simple love song full ofgreat poetry that shows off Toner's quieter side. "The Great Escape"tells the story of a family feud in a stirring rockabilly arrangement. Tonerbrings the characters to life in song in the way that only great songwriterscan, and highlights the achievement with some impressive guitar work along theway. Light Below The Door bows with "Nashville Snowflake", thetale of a snowflake that wants to live together. Once again, Toner's melody andimagery are near-perfect.

If Anthony Toner was plying histrade as a singer/songwriter in 1975 he'd be signed to a major label and knownall over the world. Today his material may sound a bit dated to some, but whatdoesn't change is that Anthony Toner is a world-class songwriting, with a voicethat's eminently pleasant to the ear. Artistically he seems to be peaking rightnow, as well. Light Below The Door, consequently, is not an album to bemissed.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.anthonytoner.net or www.myspace.com/anthonytoner.  CD copies are only available from Toner’swebsite.  If it’s digital you crave:

 Amazon MP3                    iTunes


Please note that the Amazon.com prices listed above are as of the posting date, and may have changed. Wildy's World is not responsible for price changes instituted by Amazon.com.

Wine & Cheese

A lot of great things happened this weekend — for one, the creepy haze that has been lingering over Chicago finally cleared up — but everything pales in comparison to the most delicious dinner I have eaten in quite a long time. You know that a restaurant is promising if it a) has no website (although this could work against it), and b) the Yelp reviews read something like, "I don't even want to post a review because people are going to come here in droves."

My friend from Allure was in town for the weekend and I chose a place called DiSotto Enoteca. It's an underground cavern of a wine bar that features small antipasti plates, like an Italian version of tapas, with incredibly intimate and old-world ambiance. I ordered a glass of Chianti (my staple) and then tried a spicy French Syrah (decent, but no Chianti or Malbec). Then, I ordered a plate of taleggio cheese and fig compote, which I followed up with portobello, fontina and rosemary bruschetta. I began to miss the taste of taleggio and thus ordered pear, taleggio and toasted pecan bruschetta. Then we shared a chocolate cake. As it happens, saturated fat and I are having a very torrid love affair at the moment..

If you're ever in the Chicago area, go go go. I promise it's wonderful. I'll meet you there. I'll help you out with that cheese and bruschetta and chocolate cake.

So how was your weekend?!


[photo cred to 1 and 2]