Live Performance Reviews

"Toni's live performance left a lasting impression that raises the bar on what a powerful performance should be." ... Greg Moore, JAM Magazine

"Toni Land has been part of the California Avocado Festival entertainment lineup for more than 6 years. Audiences love her music and her cool sense of style! We plan to work with Toni and her band for many years to come." 
... Mike Lazaro, entertainment/operations director California Avocado Festival

"Toni Land has been apart of our festival for several years. Her warm, upbeat style is perfect for Cannon Beach and her fans come each year to welcome her back."
... Brooke McKirdy, Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce 
Event Coordinator Stormy Weather Arts Festival

Lucky Cat

"Sure-footed in her travels between country and folk, and with a confident voice evident in both her singing and songwriting" ... Willamette Week

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Deep in Diamonds

Oregonian A&E 
Friday April 6, 2001 
by Andre Hagestadt

"Pop, country fit like a glove in the hands of Toni Land"

Portland's Toni Land has a penchant for blending pop, country and bluegrass in ways that so completely blur the boundaries between those genres, you wonder why they were ever separated in the first place. And it's no wonder, when you look at the credits of her latest recording, "Deep in Diamonds." Land could be categorized as an alt-country rocker of sorts, or maybe even a contemporary of Portlander Jon Koonce. But the album was produced by local pop musician Tim Ellis (along with, among others, drummer Carlton Jackson, pedal steel player Paul Brainard and Jeroan Van Aichen helping out on backing vocals). Undoubtedly Ellis' graceful hand at both production and guitar playing helped blend Land's sensibilities into one pretty creation. Sometimes her voice warbles like Patsy Cline's, sometimes she lilts softly with only a little twang, while at other moments she has a distinctively quirky vocal quality evocative of Sheryl Crow or David Byrne. But always there's a moving sensitivity in her delivery that carries a charge to the songs, especially on the faster tunes. The album begins with the cowpoke upbeats of "Good for Me." The lyrics gleefully celebrate a white trash boyfriend who wrecks parties and creates other havoc, with Land exclaiming, "But that's my baby." Land even wraps the words around a great big grin that's clearly audible in the way she enunciates them. On tunes such as "Devil's Twin" or "If I Wuz the Guy," Land sings in that achybreaky way while maintaining various levels of weirdness in her voice that help veer things in an alternative direction. "Lynda" is a country opus that could almost be a rockabilly-and-bluegrass fusion tune, with Land's vocals hurrying over a rather laidback, banjo-led ensemble, and lyrics with a "Thelma and Louise" bent. Throughout, Land's country influences show themselves in degrees - Johnny Cash, or early Olivia Newton-John, even. The fun wavers on the slower songs, some of which tend to drag, especially considering Land's vibrant sense of emotional intimacy on the faster material.

"Deep in Diamonds" is Land's most emotionally dynamic work to date!"

"Toni Land is Good For Me. That also happens to be the first cut on her CD, Deep in Diamonds. I saw Toni Land and her magnificent band perform at Rose Festival. I couldn't have been more thrilled to see Carlton Jackson on drums and when the multi-talented Tim Ellis, (who has a strong influence on many local recordings and artists) arrived, I knew I was in for some great music. I'm of the belief that all genres of music can be great and that great music is good for you. That's how I feel about Toni Land and her music, which is really Good For Me. Of course, there's the powerful woman sound that rings out during Better With a Gun, but the humor and playfulness that she demonstrates is impeccable. Toni's 'I'm not afraid to show it' attitude can be daunting, but it certainly hooked me that she keeps her gun in her yellow cardigan. I had to laugh. Toni is a storyteller and her lyrics alone or with Tim Ellis are catchy, meaningful and deep. I guess gushing is what you'd call this review, but I've listened to Deep in Diamonds around ten times and it still sustains my interest. Happy and straight-ahead. That how I describe it. Bird, is a beautiful ballad with hints of Lucinda Williams. Is that so wrong? Lynda, a female lament, actually motivated me to dance with my husband in the living room. Who knew? My favorite song from the CD this minute is, Fake It For Love's Sake. Toni and Tim tell it like it is in the lyrics, "Fake it that you love me. Fake it that you¹re happy. Fake it that you're doing fine." It's the rude awakening that the world is not interested in what you may feel and it could possibly be, that graciousness is more important than your own desires. Another good song evokes the question: What powerful woman doesn't feel like The Devil's Twin, once in a while? .... Two Louies August 2000 Review By Robin Rosemond

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 Karaoke King

"Land's music is inspiring, strong, consistently dynamic. It ranks right up there with the best in the business. To put it mildly, we were blown away by the project. Land is a true original and her latest album, Karaoke King is a fine example of her songwriting finesse. This project boast tunes as diverse and musically complex as the woman who performs them. Filled with luscious contemporary layers of symphonic ecstasy, Karaoke King is destined to be a must for the serous connoisseurs of well-written, heartful music." ... Jan Best, Independent Songwriter Magazine

"Karaoke King contains 6 songs, some of them are beautiful pop songs and the other contain a touch more guitar lifting them to a more rocky platform. My favorite Cry Out Loud, a beautiful easy flowing pop song, with some smooth guitar and harmonica. When Jesus Comes to Town, also a medium tempo song but with the guitar work making it a strong one. Can't keep my feet still on this one." ... Jeroen Roeper, Editor of Tracks Online

"Toni Land-I love her! I've been playing her and playing her and then I've been playing her some more." ... Mathew Richards, KTIL

"I Don't Like You is getting lots of requests. Land is striking a chord with our audience" ... Brian Tucker, KAXR

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 Chocolate Cake for Breakfast

".. not only a great culinary concept, but an even better album!! I've finally gotten a chance to REALLY listen to it, and I'm blown away!!" ... Ben Wertheimer, Composer
about Chocolate Cake For Breakfast CD

A/C Radio Quotes About Toni Land's Single, "Not the Only One"

"I like it and I'm not the only one." ... Joe Braun, WHCO

"We're getting a good response to it. I liked it the first time I heard it." ... Jim Egert, KDIO

"I think she's got something. We're getting calls on it." ... Jack Raymond, WEIM

A/C Radio Quotes about Toni Land's 2nd single, "Have You Ever Seen Your Real Love?"

"Toni Land has a unique gift for writing and delivering hit records. Don't overlook this one." ... Mark Anthony, KMXL

"Great phones, great song." ... Desiree Douglas, KWXX

"An infectious record that continues to build momentum with every passing spin!" ... Wayne Dunigan, WLET

"Heavy continuous phones. Top requested song among our female audience." ... John Taylor, KEZT

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