Sorry. I had to say that. It’s been going around in my head all day. That’s because I’ve been listening to Sony Holland mostly all day.
Sony Holland – Swing, Bossas, Ballads and Blues (Van Ness)
Released – March 3, 2008
I went back and looked at the review I posted on Sony Holland’s last release, “Out Of This World.”
I gushed. “Go past Norah and Diana…this one’s worth a special order,” I said. “Highest Recommendation,” I said. “Four Microphones,” I said.
I hate when that happens.
Because this disc – “Swing, Bossas, Ballads and Blues,” is just as good, if not better.
Ms. Holland’s voice soars somewhere above the Golden Gate Bridge, in her hometown of San Francisco. Art Khu on piano does a great job, and Ms. Holland’s husband, Jerry, wrote half of the tracks, most blending seamlessly with the eight standards.
I keep thinking I’m going to have to put together a mix of “New Standards,” because a couple of these would certainly make the short list, “I Can’t Blame Them For Trying,” along with “Million Dollar Dreams,” and “I’ll Remember Paris” are three of my favorites. One of the originals, “Saving My Life Every Day,” was inspired, the publicity say, by a friend’s “…confession that he considered suicide daily until the birth of his son.”
Yikes.
Of the covers, “Meditation” is probably the best, but heck, they’re all good.
Ms. Holland is one of those American singers who spends a fair amount of time in Asia – where audiences are much more appreciative of vocal jazz. For good reason, because her style shows respect for the classics, but she goes further to own the songs she’s singing.
I’ll be listening to this one for a long time.
Highest recommendation.
Four Stars (out of four) MySpace – Website
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About Doug Boynton
A little about me? Fair question.
My name is Doug Boynton. I’ve worked around the broadcasting business most of my life, as a journalist - or selling the works of other broadcast journalists. I’m also an aspiring mystery writer. I get a few review discs now and then, but most of what gets reviewed…is stuff I’ve purchased, and yes - I’m more inclined to buy stuff I know I’ll like. But the ability to download an album for ten bucks at iTunes or listen to a whole album at Yahoo! Music late on a Friday night with a beer in my hand means I’m ready to take a chance - if not on love (way too much of that in my past), at least on a few tunes.
Let’s be clear - I’m a consumer. I attempt to be an informed consumer, but I’m no expert on who played sax on what. I can just barely tell my Nelson Riddle from my Billy May, but I know what I like. And the things I like, I try to find out more about. What I do like are mostly straight-ahead standards backed by a small combo. But every once in a while (more often, now that I’ve taken to listening to BBC’s Radio Two over the Internet), something will come along and have me scrambling to find out more. With a few clicks these days, that itch can be easily satisfied. You don’t agree? It’s okay. More often than not, my wife doesn’t either. Remember, this is something I do for my own amusement and education, and opinions are like elbows. Everyone has at least one.
Want to play nice, and try your hand at a thoughtful 300-500 word review of something I’ve missed? Want to file a dissent? That would be great! Send it here. I can’t afford to buy all the music I’d like. I have too many ex-wives out there already. I’ll pay you with the eternal thanks of a grateful nation - or at least those who read this. All I ask is that it’s a female vocalist you’re reviewing - solo or fronting a band, and that you’re willing to put your real name on the review.
Thanks for stopping by this time.
