I’m delighted to receive this review in RNR music magazine for my ninth album, A Random Act of Kindness:

‘There’s something reassuringly old school about the songs of Yorkshire songwriter Toni Bunnell. From the deeply personal to the universal, her songs cover many bases and it’s easy to envisage them being warmly received in folk clubs across the nation and beyond. 

Drawing from personal experience, on a Random Act of Kindness Bunnell’s songs cover a broad canvas. From friendships forged as a teenager in the 60s (‘First Friend’) to a heartfelt love letter to her brother who transitioned to a woman in the 80s (‘You Are My Brother’), and a moving spoken-word tribute to a much-missed family pet (‘My Faithful Companion’), Bunnell’s heart-on-sleeve songs tell moving and relatable stories. 

From a wider perspective, she applies her craft to familiar folk song themes: the futility of war, the need for sympathy and empathy and being a good neighbour, all of which benefit from her undeniable talent as a storyteller. She’s also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, accompanying herself on guitar, bouzouki, fiddle, dulcimer and hurdy gurdy, on songs which although low key for the most part, still have the power to bring about pause for thought.’

Dave Haslam RNR ***

Tracks on album:

1 First Friend

2 My Faithful Companion

3. Song of the Nettle Dress

4 Soaring

5. Empathy

6. Where do the Words Come From?

7. Why we Walk this Earth

8/ You are my Brother

9. The Will of Time

10. The Soldier

11. A Random Act of Kindness

12. Elsey’s Waltz