Low Down and Up
Singer Toni Price's two major influences, Nashville andBonnie Raitt, are more than audible on her fourth album,Lowdown and Up. While Price's voice is also reminiscent of the same vocalists who influenced Raitt, there's little doubt as to where her original inspiration came from. Price mixes her blues with country and folk, a blend that will appeal to some and disenchant others. For those who like it, there's plenty here to like: a strong, but never overwhelming vocal style, and an expressive range that runs from seductive ("Comes Love") to upbeat ("Loserville Blues") to gentle ("Anything"). Price, who moved from Nashville to Austin in 1989, has incorporated a definite Texan flavor into her sound, and she's one of many artists who could rise to prominence as the Austin music scene continues to draw national attention.--Genevieve Williams