SUSAN TONEY is in her element with guitar in hand and audience before her. With a rare talent and diverse sound; drawing on pop, alternative country, pop/rock and rhythm and blues, she captivates her listener with brilliant lyrics and unexpected melodic twists and turns. She takes you on a journey with disarming subtlety, as the intensity of a whisper, becomes an explosion. Solo or with her band, her music explodes with raw edge and intimacy; her pure, passionate, voice compels attention. The band features Susan Toney on lead vocals, keyboard and guitar along with veterans Arno Lucas on percussion and vocals (Al Jarreau, Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Ricki Lee Jones) and Chad Watson on bass and vocals (Janis Ian, David Arkenstone, Delaney & Bonnie, Charlie Rich Jr. & Sr., Ronnie Milsap).
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STRANGE CHILD CD FEATURING:
"Strange Child" was recorded, produced, engineered and mixed by Michael Mancini, the multi-platinum producer-engineer (Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, The Killers, Toni Braxton etc.) at Hollywood Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA and Pompei Sound Studios, Henderson, Nevada; featuring top session players from LA, including greats, Lou Pardini, Abe Laboriel Sr., Doug Bossi, Sergio Gonzalez and Scott Mayo. Songs recorded at Sonora Recorders, were co-produced by Richard Barron, Chad Watson and Susan Toney; featuring a handful of top session players from New York and LA, including Jeff Pevar, Greg Leisz, Chad Watson, Arno Lucas, Vail Johnson, Land Richards, Bryan Ray, Skip Edwards, Jean McLain and recording artist Lauren Wood.
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CD ONE SHEET:
STRANGE CHILD - Susan Toney, Artist
“Style” - Pop, Pop/Rock, Country, Country/Pop, Alternative
“Comparison" to other artists - “Cheryl Crow” meets “Shania Twain”, "Joni Mitchell"
“Go To” Tracks -
1. Hollywood 03:21:21
2. Cigarettes And Wine + 04:32:20
4. Midnight Rose 04:26:18
7. Just Don't Mention Love + 04:47:57
13. Ransom 05:24:43
REVIEWS:
“Brilliant lyrics, melodies and a voice you fall in love with. I have no doubt Susan will become a household name.” Paul Drew - Commercial Pop Radio Programmer
“One of the most gifted writers and singers to come along in years.” Arthur Braun - Publisher (Elton John, Bernie Taupin)
“Catch this rising star quick on the club scene before you have to pay real money to see her on tour, which will no doubt come her way.” Sam Dunn - Music Connection, People Magazine, LA Style
“A thought provoking, cutting edge singer-songwriter with guitar in hand.” Joe Seta - Producer (Ricki Lee Jones, k. d. lang)
“I wouldn’t be surprised to find out this long distance artist is rising to the forefront of contemporary pop music soon”. John Aaron - Night Moves Magazine
“Susan is unusual in a comfortable kind of way. The medicinal quality of her music is also for sale.”
Charles John Quarto - One of Americas finest poet/ lyricists (Willie Nelson, Joni Mitchell)
"Every so often, maybe once or twice in a generation, an artist will come along whose work makes a beeline straight to either your heart or soul; on a rare occasion, they will latch onto both. It is the kind of feeling that induces both goose bumps and déjà vu, as you sit there thinking “I’ve got to tell someone else about this,” and you do. If you’re lucky enough to be a journalist or writer, you become their champion. And always, in the back of your mind, you are looking forward to the day when you can gloat and simply say, “I always knew. I was there at the beginning.” Paul Anderson - Music Critic, Los Angeles, CA
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REVIEW:
"Music Straight To The Heart" -
"Every so often, maybe once or twice in a generation, an artist will come along whose work makes a beeline straight to either your heart or soul; on a rare occasion, they will latch onto both. It is the kind of feeling that induces both goose bumps and déjà vu, as you sit there thinking “I’ve got to tell someone else about this,” and you do. If you’re lucky enough to be a journalist or writer, you become their champion. And always, in the back of your mind, you are looking forward to the day when you can gloat and simply say, “I always knew. I was there at the beginning.”
Susan Toney is one of these rare artists that engender such passionate responses from the heart and soul. She is the kind of singer who’s voice immediately registers a feeling of comfort, with a hint of Southern twang around the edges, still betraying her Oklahoma roots after living in California. It is a voice full of honesty and pathos, wry and world-savvy.
Combine that with a poet’s eye and a pop tunesmith’s feel for melody and you end up with a complete package that traverses pop, folk, country, R&B and just about any other genre you can think of. Her songs wrap it all up in little masterpieces that will have you humming along by the third chorus. Some songwriters wait all their lives to come up with a single great hook; Toney manages to do it effortlessly, genius resonating throughout her entire catalog.
From plaintive torch songs to blustery sing-a-longs, Toney sings with a smoky intensity that demands your attention as she sings songs that could only come from someone who has been to the edge and back, combining an old sage’s wisdom together with a child’s wonderment. Toney has won several songwriting awards and competitions (Billboard, American Song Festival, etc.). As a true sign of her abilities, she has had a near-constant stream of fellow songwriters clamoring to work with her.
Her CD, "Strange Child", is garnering glowing reviews and rapturous attention from radio programmers, a nearly impossible feat for a first-time independent DIY release. It has led to a number of songs being placed in movies and television, which is rather fitting, since she initially supported herself in Los Angeles as a successful cinematographer. When she begins pre-production on her next album, she will face a dilemma: which of her 200-odd songs will she choose?
Toney moved quite a bit while growing up – Oklahoma, Kansas City, New York, St. Louis and several towns in Texas. She began playing music in the fourth grade, studying classical guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica and singing in the school choir, then, continued through high school. She went to SMU to further her music studies, where she earned a Masters in Film/Television, Bachelors of Film/Television and Bachelors of Arts degree. Students would show up early to listen to her latest song before class began. Later, she moved to Southern California where several doors in the music industry would open for her. Toney, the young sage again, waiting on the right time to walk through them.
Suffice it to say, this Pasadena-based artist is the real thing. She says, “I am a pop artist and though I can crossover and sing other styles, vocally driven music is what I do. I love film scoring, acting and directing.” She sighs one last time, “But ultimately, music is the quickest, straightest path to the heart.” It’s a road that Susan Toney knows well. And pretty soon, the world will know that, too."
By Paul Anderson - Music Critic, Los Angeles, CA
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STRANGE CHILD CD LINER NOTES:
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SUSAN TONEY ● STRANGE CHILD
PRODUCED BY MICHAEL MANCINI
Produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Michael Mancini.
Recorded at Hollywood Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA; Pompei Sound
Studios, Henderson, NV and Sonora Recorders, Atwater Village, CA
+Songs Recorded at Sonora Recorders, Co-Produced by Richard Barron,
Chad Watson and Susan Toney. Lauren Wood appears courtesy of Bad Art Records.
Photography: Mike Jones/LMG Los Angeles; Make Up, Hair: Lisa Girasa;
Art Direction: Derric Lowe/LMG Los Angeles. Manufactured, duplicated and
printed in the U.S.A. by Strange Child Records at Digital International Corp.
All Songs © 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI);
except "Midnight Rose", with Byron Hill, MCA Music Publishing Canada (SOCAN)
, Brother Bart Music (ASCAP);
"Just Don’t Mention Love", with Troy Dexter, Troy Dexter Music (BMI);
"Strange Child", with Judy Moore, Judy Moore (BMI) and
"Ransom", with Arno Lucas, Arno Lucas (ASCAP).
All Rights Reserved.Lyrics used by permission.
Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
℗ & © 2010 Strange Child Records. www.susantoney.com
Strange Child Records. www.susantoney.com
All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized copying,
reproduction, hiring, lending, public performance
and broadcasting prohibited. Made and
printed in the U.S.A. by Strange Child Records.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Special Thanks:
Special thanks to Michael Mancini and David K. Mancini, Lou
Pardini, Abe Laboriel Sr., Doug Bossi, Sergio González, Scott Mayo,
Chad Watson, Arno Lucas, Brian Ray, Jeff Pevar, Greg Leisz, Skip
Edwards, Vail Johnson, Land Richards, Novi Novog, Stephanie Fife,
Jean McClain, Lauren Wood, Richard Barron and Jeff Peters.
Thank you community of songwriters, artists and musicians, to all my
friends, family and loved ones: for your boundless, unconditional love,
support and time. Finally, my humble thanks to the Creator of all
living things, large and small: for my life, gifts and the blessing to
share them.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Susan Toney ● Strange Child
Produced by Michael Mancini
+Co-Produced by Richard Barron,
Chad Watson and Susan Toney
1. Hollywood 03:21:21
2. Cigarettes And Wine+ 04:32:20
3. Twenty Shades Of Blue+ 03:16:28
4. Midnight Rose 04:26:18
5. Strange Child+ 05:46:37
6. Carolina+ 04:58:25
7. Just Don't Mention Love+ 04:47:57
8. Friends And Enemies+ 03:18:17
9. Asia+ 04:15:08
10. Until I Believe 03:17:07
11. Field Of The Heart+ 04:03:31
12. Stay With Me A While+ 06:00:17
13. Ransom 05:24:43
℗ & © 2010 Strange Child Records, Inc.
www.susantoney.com All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized copying, reproduction,
hiring, lending, public performance and
broadcasting prohibited.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STRANGE CHILD CD LYRICS:
HOLLYWOOD 03:21:21
(Susan Toney)
They aim to keep us all in line
They pay you less now for your time
You’re so tired with waking
Can’t feel your own heart breaking
As your dreams are falling through
Who hears you
What is the reason you came to Hollywood
Yea they’ll reward you if you’re good
Sign all those little forms you should
But this machine you’re building
Requires you wear this shielding
It will replace you in five years
With no tears
What is the reason you came to Hollywood
Bridge:
You’d better scream
While you still dream
I see they’re busting down the doors
No longer need to show just cause
Outlaw artistic passion
Bring hate crimes back in fashion
Don’t think that they’re not watching you
And me too
What is the reason you came here
I found a list with my name dear
Things are beginning to change here
In Hollywood
Susan Toney: vocal, background vocals, acoustic guitar
Lou Pardini : arrangement, piano, keyboards, background vocals
Doug Bossi: acoustic, electric guitar
Abraham Laboriel, Sr.: bass
Sergio González: drums
Scott Mayo: background vocals
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
CIGARETTES AND WINE + 04:32:20
(Susan Toney)
You woke me up while I was day dreaming
Another place another time
I felt the shadows and the sunlight streaming
Another day another dime
Chorus:
You were staring at some old baseball game
When you stepped over the line
And in the absence of the Lord's good graces
You clutched your cigarettes and wine
My father and I we're not speaking
And my mother you can't touch
My brother's been convicted guilty
Of remembering too much
Chorus:
So now I'm grappling with leaving
Pieces scattered left undone
No more winners no more losers
As the white truce flag is hung
Chorus:
Susan Toney: vocal, acoustic guitar
Chad Watson: bass
Arno Lucas: drums, percussion
Greg Leisz: pedal steel, dobro
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
TWENTY SHADES OF BLUE + 03:16:28
(Susan Toney)
You say you love me
You buy me dishwasher washing machine
I do the laundry
You make sure everything's nice and clean
Open up my closet
See the red behind my scream
The bloodstains on your collar
Still give me nightmares when I dream
Twenty shades of blue
Twenty shades of blue
Twenty shades of blue
Twenty shades of blue
You paint a picture
So realistic I feel so deceived
You hand me money
Look close there’s blackmail beneath the green
Your eyes so cold and broken
Your heart is just a token
That you’ll never ever use
Susan Toney: vocals, acoustic guitar
Chad Watson: bass
Arno Lucas: drums, percussion
Brian Ray: electric guitars
Jean McClain: background vocals
Lauren Wood: background vocals
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
MIDNIGHT ROSE 04:26:18
(Susan Toney, Byron Hill)
I want to put my arms around you
Share the joy I'm feeling
Let you know how much you mean to me
I want to open up my heart
And believe the words you're saying
But they have that old familiar ring
Words that tell me there's still somebody else
Words that warn me I better protect myself
Chorus:
'Cause I won't be your Midnight Rose
The one you touch when nobody knows
If you love me let the whole world see
'Cause I won't be your Midnight Rose
Life gives us chances
Many crossroads and choices
I just can’t leave my life to fate
That’s why I’ve got to stand by my feelings
Even if it means my own heart breaks
A love worth having is worth biding my time
I know it’s worth it
And I’m drawing the line
Chorus:
I won’t be
I won’t be your Midnight Rose
Susan Toney: vocal, background vocals, acoustic guitar
Lou Pardini: arrangement, piano, keyboards, background vocals
Doug Bossi: acoustic, electric guitar
Abraham Laboriel, Sr.: bass
Sergio González: drums
Scott Mayo: background vocals
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI); Byron Hill, MCA Music Publishing Canada (SOCAN)/Brother Bart Music (ASCAP).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
STRANGE CHILD + 05:46:37
(Susan Toney with Judy Moore)
Tonight I saw the news and I heard my family gasp
At the sight of a little battered girl
Who’d been given her daddy’s wrath
Yet if I spoke of what happened to my body as a child
They would both gaze blankly and change the channel
And silently deny
Strange Child we did the best we could
Gave you everything
Sent you to the finest schools
New cars and a diamond ring
You wanted love on top of everything
Strange Child you wanted love
Overt covert illusion I’d watch her draw the blinds
“Don’t tell” a look I know so well
On the heels of “don’t you cry”
"I've built a family reputation
In spite of all your lies" "Young Lady"
Still I persist and question
Her Christian ethics and apple pie
Strange Child we did the best we could
Gave you everything
Sent you to the finest schools
A trip abroad and a diamond ring
You wanted love on top of everything
Aren’t you ever satisfied with anything
Strange Child you wanted love
Susan Toney: vocal, acoustic guitar
Chad Watson: bass
Arno Lucas: drums, percussion
Jeff Pevar: electric guitars
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI); Judy Moore, Judy Moore (BMI).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
CAROLINA + 04:58:25
(Susan Toney)
Oh Carolina hear my call
I’m burning down this house tonight
Tearing down the walls
Please come back
I’m lost inside it all
Without you here what good is it all
Chorus:
They can have it honey
They can keep their money
They can have the magazines
The good times and the limousines
The TV press and radio
And any place you want to go
The entourage I just want you
You want to touch the highest stars
Undo all the pain down to the very scars
Right the wrongs
This journey’s deep as it is long
Weave my heart my soul my songs
Out of pieces make me whole and strong
Chorus:
Susan Toney: vocals, acoustic guitar, chamberlain
Chad Watson: bass, background vocals
Arno Lucas: drums, percussion
Greg Liesz: pedal Steel
Skip Edwards: hammond organ B3
Novi Novog: electric viola
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
JUST DON'T MENTION LOVE + 04:47:57
(Susan Toney, Troy Dexter)
You walked in when love walked out
Seemed so secure for a man with such doubts
But it sure sounds good when you talk to me like that
As a mater of fact
Don't give me your number if it hasn't changed
Your first name is pleasure but your last name is pain
Just don’t mention love tonight
Better watch your step in this field of mine
With one wrong move I could change my mind
But it sure sounds good when you talk to me like that
As a mater of fact
No talking tender on this one way ride
Give me the wheel and just let me drive
Just don’t mention love tonight
Bridge:
Remember all those women
You always did as you pleased
This time things are different
I’ve never seen you down on your knees
Well you may as well just make yourself comfortable baby
Instrumental:
Don’t assume I’m staying when you hear me sigh
You just drew a wild card on a hot summer night
But it sure feels good when you touch me like that
A little lower on the back
For all of your playing you’re not sure I care
You tell the truth and honey I’ll take the dare
Just don’t mention love tonight
Just don’t mention love tonight
Susan Toney: vocals, acoustic guitar
Chad Watson: bass
Arno Lucas: drums, percussion, background vocals
Brian Ray: electric guitars
Greg Leisz: dobro
Skip Edwards: wurlitzer
Jean McClain: background vocals
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI); Troy Dexter, Troy Dexter Music (BMI).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
FRIENDS AND ENEMIES + 03:18:17
(Susan Toney)
You yell then I don't think you love me
Go tell the persons who have hurt you
Be well it's just a wishing well I know
Where all my prayers go
For all my friends and enemies tonight
Your eyes make me want to cry like I'm a baby
Disguised pretend you'll trust me maybe
I'm wise is there some secret I should know
'Cause everywhere I go
It's friends and enemies tonight
Bridge:
Take a risk with me
Don't I let you see
My heart out on my sleeve
What's it going to take
For you to believe
The trial we can’t remember after
Such child’s so fragile and innocent inside
And there's nothing left to hide
There are no enemies tonight
Are no enemies tonight
There are no enemies tonight
For all my friends and enemies tonight
Susan Toney: vocal, acoustic guitar
Chad Watson: bass
Arno Lucas: drums, percussion
Greg Leisz: electric guitar
Brian Ray: electric guitars, acoustic guitar
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
ASIA + 04:15:08
(Susan Toney)
Asia I love you
I don’t know now but somehow we’ll get through
The danger love leads to
I’m not afraid to have some faith in you
Chorus:
I don’t know if you share my point of view
‘Cause no one’s going to tell you what to do
But as sure as there’s a sky above
I will trust this perfect love
Asia
Asia please reach through
I hope you’ve broken all your walls down too
‘Cause fire needs water
And I’m not afraid to say that I need you
Chorus:
As sure as there’s a sky above
As sure as there’s a sky above
I will trust this perfect love Asia
Susan Toney: vocal, acoustic guitar
Chad Watson: bass
Arno Lucas: drums, percussion
Jeff Pevar: electric guitars
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
UNTIL I BELIEVE 03:17:07
(Susan Toney)
Things look pretty bad
Don't see them getting better
All of the plans we had
Are changing like the weather
Chorus:
It's your right to pack it all in
Or get up again
So I might as well dance all night
Catch a falling star and hold on tight
And try to make it through morning
Be my best friend scream and yell
Let my tears fall down the wishing well
Until I believe that all of my wishes
And all of my dreams are true
Can’t find my way out
But I know how to get here
The demons scream and shout
Until you face your own fear
It’s your right to pack it on in
Or get up again
Chorus:
Susan Toney: vocal, background vocals, acoustic guitar
Lou Pardini: arrangement, piano, keyboards, background vocals
Doug Bossi: acoustic, electric guitar
Abraham Laboriel, Sr. : bass
Sergio González: drums
Scott Mayo: background vocals
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
FIELD OF THE HEART + 04:03:31
(Susan Toney)
Still a drought even with the downpour
They don’t expect it to change
You took your things and it left a space that
I can’t rearrange
All those days when we worked the soil
Hoping something would grow
You plant your seeds in the field of the heart
And then you let go
'Cause you never know
In the field of the heart
Buried deep far beneath the river
The stone was turning to clay
And all the tears that brought understanding
Washed our bridge away
Some will go when it looks like trouble
Others surprise you and stay
You plant your seeds in the field of the heart
It takes courage to wait
When your harvest is late In the field of the heart
Bridge:
When you're least expecting it
Your miracle will come in the field of the heart
Somewhere I learned how to wait with patience
Face my doubts one by one
Live and love with the faith of a newborn
And rest when day is done
All those days when we worked the soil
Hoping something would grow
You plant your seeds in the field of the heart
And then you let go
'Cause you never know
In the field of the heart
Susan Toney: vocal, acoustic guitar
Vail Johnson: fretless bass
Land Richards: drums
Skip Edwards: accordion
Novi Novog: electric viola
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
STAY WITH ME A WHILE + 06:00:17
(Susan Toney)
I want to see your green eyes
Your big green eyes again
I want to see them sparkle
Won’t you tell me where they’ve been
Won’t you tell me where they’ve been
Chorus:
Don’t the sun come up everyday
The stars sparkle in the light
The moon rise up over the hill
As the sun bows and nods good night
Don’t my arms open wide
My lips part with a kiss and a smile
Please don’t go away stay with me a while
Chorus:
Well it’s taken some time
For you and I to become friends
It’s going to take some time
For your little heart to mend
It’s going to take some time to mend
Chorus:
Instrumental:
Chorus:
Susan Toney: vocal, piano
Novi Novog: viola
Stefanie Fife: cello
Skip Edwards: synth
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
RANSOM 05:24:43
(Susan Toney, Arno Lucas)
Raped twenty years ago staring down the barrel of a gun
Wanted to live so bad didn’t try to fight or run
High price to pay for life when all is said and done
I paid the ransom for my life
Chorus:
I paid the ransom for my life
I paid with all my sleepless nights
In a prison of broken hearts
I paid the ransom for my life
Take the darkness give me light
I'm not going to take it anymore
Now that I finally know the score
Chorus:
Now I can’t forgive myself and I don’t trust anyone
And I pray I’ll learn to love the person I’ve become
My soul is restless for this battle to be won
I paid the ransom for my life
Chorus:
Sitting on my father's lap too afraid to tell him no
My brother took me places that a child should never go
I know my mother loved me hate the way she let it show
I paid the ransom for my life
Chorus:
Susan Toney: vocal, background vocals, acoustic guitar
Lou Pardini: arrangement, piano, keyboards, background vocals
Doug Bossi: acoustic, electric guitar
Abraham Laboriel, Sr. : bass
Sergio González: drums
Scott Mayo: background vocals
© 2010 Susan Toney, Screaming Child Music (BMI); Arno Lucas, Arno Lucas (ASCAP).
All Rights Reserved. Lyrics used by permission.
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