Tonia Wood's album All That Glitters may be around for some time now (in fact it was released in February 2002) but I only have discovered it recently (thanx Michael, by the way). And who would have thought that a marine biologist-become-singer has such a good voice?
Tonia Wood first was more interested in singing rock/soul fusion but luckily for us she made up her mind and recorded an album full of soul with some jazz influences. And with most of the songs written by Tonia and producer Tony Taylor there's more than just a fine voice Tonia has to offer.
The first song Mister Understand is certainly more of what Tonia meant with singing soul/rock fusion, a fine song but somehow spoiled a little by an electric guitar.
Much better is If You Let Me, a good ballad accompanied by a mellow saxophon (also included as a reprise version with just Tonia, the sax and a keyboard), or Will You Do It (You Make Me High). There's also a diva-like ballad with On My Way but even on this song Tonia doesn't loose herself in vocal acrobatics.
Other favourites include Hold On, Go The Distance or On My Way. There are even decent cover versions of Ann Peebles' I Can't Stand The Rain and of the religious standard The Lord's Prayer.
A really good album with no bad songs and certainly worth hunting for.