Video Ivana Santilli -- Canada AM -- Whatever You Want (LIVE)

Ivana Santilli makes an appearance on Canada AM to perform the lead off single, Whatever You Want (co-written with Nasri and Adam Messinger), from her 2009 Juno Nominated album, TO.NY with accoustic Trio: Shamakah Ali & Wade O. Brown.




TO.NY Album Review:


Okay, here's why this works: Ivana Santilli has transcended herself.


Ivana was a brand, something that, if you have her previous material, you were familiar with. You came to expect something from her. Something very esoteric. She figured you might. She did that to you on purpose. Only to switch it up on you, and take you higher. Higher = TO.NY. Ivana has brought her sound from the back of the urban lounge, straight into your heart. Bringing you phrasing, lyrics, and instrumentation you can feel. Although she has a little of her trademark abstractness, she is now looking directly at you. You, who has loved as she has loved, and you, who has hurt as she has hurt. She is connecting. Are you plugged in?


This album snuck up on us. Poor promotion, poor publicity. And it is a shame, because this really is Ivana's best work ever. Ivana, previously had the same problem that artists like Ne-Yo have now. She was great at singles, but struggled to connect with her audience with a SOLID album. TO.NY is that album.


The opening track, Still Anymore is a mellow, contemplative type of soul that reappears in different manifestations later on Leave It Alone and Stay Here. Up and coming singer/songwriter, Nasri's smooth influence and backing vocals are heard on Whateva U Want and Depend On You. And then there is Wish U Away, a very sensitive touching recounting of a love that may not be good for you but is yours, a topic that a lot of us can relate to.


This kind of growth in an artist is rare and often not in a positive direction. But one listen to TO.NY makes you exhale, because you get the feeling from the music and from Ivana that this most recent place, is a place where she was always meant to be.


More than any other album on this list, cop this one. This independent Canadian artist actually risked more than anyone here. She shed her clothes, she grew, and now she just wants to look you in the eye... and be honest with her soul. This is truly an amazing album.