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Stevie Holland An intimate, swinging and emotionally vulnerable performance, Stevie's latest album Before Love Has Gone is a collection of rarely recorded classics and standards, as well as original songs, including the title track written by Stevie and collaborator, award winning composer Gary William Friedman, who also did the arrangements. Grammy award winner Todd Barkan is on board as co-producer, and esteemed author and journalist Gary Giddins penned the liner notes for the album. Pianist Martin Bejerano joins Stevie again on Before Love Has Gone, with Edward Perez on bass and Willie Jones III on drums. | |
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More Than Words Can Say is Stevie's most richly orchestrated CD. With arrangements by Gary William Friedman, More Than Words Can Say explores classic jazz standards, songs from the 50's and 70's and original material with exciting, innovative and haunting approaches. Stevie is backed by a string orchestra on several selections and by some of today's hottest jazz musicians led by pianists Martin Bejerano and Kris Davis. All About Jazz praised it as "a musical performance of the highest caliber", and Stevie's cover of Kenny Loggin's "This Is It" became a 'hot pick' at smoothjazz.com and charted on RadioWave's Smooth Jazz charts. The album landed on top ten lists and received nominations for awards in the cabaret world, and crossed over to Oldies and R&B radio stations with Stevie's cover of the Platters' hit "Only You".
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| Restless Willow is a frolicky, swinging album of classic standards, special and original material that reveals Stevie's solid vocal abilities and pure, emotional honesty. She's backed by a great musicians including George Small on piano, Kenny Washington on drums, Sean Harkness on guitar, Steve Kroon on percussion and David "Fathead" Newman on sax. Also joining Stevie is special guest singer Rubén Flores on the duet "One Touch". Restless Willow charted on stations from coast to coast and was voted a Top 10 CD For the Year at KSDS in San Diego, CA ands a Top 10 Vocal CD with the Cape Fear Jazz Appreciation Society in NC. | |
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| Stevie returned to the American standard songbook with a CD/ show that earned her the 2004 BACKSTAGE BISTRO AWARD for Outstanding Vocalist of the Year. Also included are songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Carole King and "Errant Hero", a song by Will Holt and Gary William Friedman from their new musical DREAM MOUNTAIN. Stevie is backed by a stellar group of musicians with pianist Jesse Green at the helm. | |
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Stevie's debut CD of inspirational pop songs, co-written with Gary William Friedman.
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WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING . . . |
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"More Than Words Can Say"
You must have muscular chops to do what Stevie Holland attempts. You need a feel for jazz phrasing and, above all, you should be firmly rooted in theater. Holland has it all and succeeds beautifully. The willowy blonde also writes impressive lyrics (check "Firefly"), but few singers can boast the conception provided by producer-arranger-conductor Gary William Friedman. Take Kenny Loggins’ "This Is It." It begins simply with guitar. By the time the bass enters, it begins to build logically. Add the dramatic know-how of Holland’s voice and you have a complete theatrical experience. They do it with the Schwartz-Dietz classic "By Myself" and Lerner-Loewe's "If Ever I Would Leave You." (Being a lyricist, Holland knows how to bring out an internal rhyme like 'springtime and spring, I’m.") Her cabaret instincts take a noxious novelty like "‘Murder, He Says’" and make every dumb word understandable. "Day by Day" swings confidently, with pianist Martin Bejerano descending at the end while Holland soars in the other direction. She feels right at home with the bossa phrasing of "Desafinado," and her whole range of jazz dynamics emerges from Kern's "Yesterdays."
To the next level and beyond this siren of swing has taken her newest gift to the jazz world? After a success debut, some artists bequeath fans with mediocrity staying in a comfort zone however this vocalist never visits the same real estate twice as she accelerates her expertise to a new dimension in this uplifting 2006 release. Stevie Holland is genuine talent… More Than Words Can Say is a wonderful piece of entertainment which offers standards and originals all with such range and pure sentiment delivered in a distinctive style.
We are enjoying an embarrassment of riches in the area of female jazz vocals. There's a lot of wheat out there, and some chaff. Here's some of the whole grain.
A dozen songs, with variety being the key word, make up Stevie Holland's newest album, More Than Words Can Say. Her appealing, warm voice graces old favorites like the pop hit "Only You," shearing it of the corn that often comes with it, singing with passion without going over the top. Restraint is an admirable quality that this jazz-leaning vocalist has…Her song choices by writers with theater resumes includes "Yesterdays" (Kern/Hammerstein), which she also frees of any stodgy formality (not a small task with a lyric that includes the word "forsooth"!). Additionally, she gets to Camelot's (Lerner & Loewe) romantic "If Ever I Would Leave You," and breezes through Schwartz & Dietz's "By Myself." For comedy, Stevie takes on what was a raucous Betty Hutton number, "Murder, He Says," substituting a jazzier, subtler (anything is subtle compared to Hutton) jive for the wildness, in a sort of hip replacement surgery. Another theatre composer vet represented is her husband and musical partner, Gary William Friedman. Theater buffs know him as the writer of musicals like The Me Nobody Knows, Taking My Turn and Platinum. The two collaborated on the album's title number, an effective and sincere look at devotion.
Stevie Holland sure can sing! Blessed with a full and attractive voice, Holland throws her all into each song and puts out an engaging and irresistible display of musical emotions on the charming More Than Words Can Say. Backed by a diplomatic mixture of jazz musicians and strings, Holland sings, prowls and soars through Gary William Friedman's cleverly arranged charts on the likes of "Only You" and "Day By Day". This is not a rehashing of oldies, but a breathing of new life into dry bones that rekindle the melodies and lyrics. Jerome Kern's "Yesterdays" lays down a hard driving beat that Holland just tears through with her crystalline voice, which impressively has the precision of a diamond cutter. She delivers quite well on her own compositions as well. The lonely "Evening Song", with dreamy piano and sax work by Martin Bejerano and Ole Mathisen respectively, is mature and thought provoking. Likewise, Holland's voice is poignant on the moody and string-laden "Lovingly". Throughout More Than Words Can Say, well known songs are respectfully redressed, and intertwined originals feel right in place. Here's a lady who is singing with feeling. I just would like to know when's she coming to town?
Yikes.
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"Restless Willow"
Stevie Holland’s newest release Restless Willow is a CD that radiates warmth, as does the singer herself. The New York vocalist spent a few years on the cabaret circuit and has recently turned her attention to jazz. The jazz world should welcome Stevie heartily as she is indeed, a rising star.
With the title derived from the opening track, “It Might As Well Be Spring,” singer Stevie Holland could be considered the personified restless willow. Holland has an easy vocal style that never falls prey to over-extension. She swings with a confident grace, her phrasing tasteful and accurate. These are the things that may strike the listener upon spinning Restless Willow for the first time. Skip on over to “Summertime” and hear a performance that will not blaze new trails in jazz vocals but does provide a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience.
This year's Back Stage Bistro Award winner for Outstanding Vocalist of the Year, Stevie Holland, has released a delightful jazzy album entitled Restless Willow (the title is inspired by its opening number, "It Might As Well Be Spring," which Holland delivers with restrained joy). While the majority of the album consists of jazz standards, such as "Summertime" (given an ever increasingly exuberant guitar-driven arrangement by Gary William Friedman), "Lush Life" and a version of "Here's That Rainy Day" that tosses in a touch of Jobim (plus a sprinkling of "Soon It's Gonna Rain" for good measure), the real highlights are the lesser known numbers: a very Brel sounding "Love Is Stronger Far Than We" (by Francis Lai and Pierre Barouh, with English lyrics by Jerry Keller) and David Frishberg's "Zoot Walks In". Throughout, Holland displays a sure but light touch and an emotional honesty that is enthralling.
Stevie Holland has a beautiful and flexible voice. Her CD constantly varies the personnel (sometimes featuring pianist George Small and at other times guitarist Sean Harkness) and covers a few different styles. The music includes standards at a variety of tempos, some songs that sound close to show tunes and heartfelt ballads. There are also guest appearances (one apiece) by Rubén Flores (who sings a duet with Holland on “One Touch”), flutist Joe Mennonna and tenor-saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman (who swings on “Zoot Walks In”). Among the most memorable selections are a happy interpretation of “It Might As Well Be Spring”, an up-tempo “Summertime” and a wonderful version of “Stardust” in which Stevie Holland's voice is backed by just Harkness' guitar. All in all, this is an impressive effort. -- Scott Yanow
Singing standards with a clear delivery and a happy outlook, Stevie Holland gives her audience an intimate approach and a convincing, heartfelt persuasion. James Taylor's "Sunny Skies" coasts along gently with a buoyant aura, allowing Holland to interpret its positive lyrics with a graceful piano trio alongside. "Zoot Walks In" brings an equally rosy outlook with jazz piano trio and tenor saxophone, but the drive of her interpretation glows with much more emphasis. It's the high point of the session, as Holland performs the chorus in vocalese and then scat sings in unison and close harmony with David "Fathead" Newman, bringing the song's lyrics to life. -- Jim Santella
"Almost Like Being In Love"
"Singers who avoid vocal tricks while making their presence felt deserve to have petals strewn before them. Stevie Holland has the ability to make a song her own by doing nothing more than being true to the words and melody. It's all in the phrasing and in the emotions that the selections unlock in her. It's also in the way her voice floats like dandelion seedlings on a breeze..." -- David Finkle, Back Stage
"Stevie Holland has a distinctively earnest voice that she can shape to the dictates of her material. She is soulful on "Since I Fell For You", hopeful and innocent on "Trolley Song", seductive on "Love For Sale" and refined on "All The Things You Are". The CD is a simple but powerful showcase for her singing and shows her versatility..." -- Jerome Wilson, Cadence Magazine
"Holland has a creamy alto voice that's distinctively soothing. It possesses a natural clarity with a smoky quality that's both sexy and comforting. Her phrasing and stylistic instincts remind me of Mary Cleere Haran and Chris Connors with the sassy, swinging understatement of Peggy Lee thrown in for good measure. When she wants to kick it, as she does on a rollicking "Love For Sale" or a wicked "Bluesette," she's confident in her choices. However, she's equally at home on ballads where her heartfelt readings are simple, elegant and honest. A collection of standards both classic and contemporary, "Almost Like Being In Love" is a winner from a singer with taste and style..." -- David Hurst, Show Business Weekly
"Stylish and elegant spells Stevie Holland, not only in her tall, blonde looks but in the sophisticated, intelligent way she soars into the spirit of a song. In a one-night-only reprise of her show, "Almost Like Being In Love" at the Triad, Holland unfurled her satiny voice to embrace a selection of premier songs, each alluding to love. With confidence, she delved into a marrow of moods, linking the songs together with concise, relevant patter. Without tricks or vocal embroidery, she showed how to swing out on a tune like "Bluesette" and her up-tempo "Love For Sale" built to the end with sensuous urgency. Holland brought a Scotch and soda edge into her phrasing of "Since I Fell For You", shaded "Here's That Rainy Day" with a soft disillusion and rendered a fervent elegance to Barry Manilow's light pop song "Could It Be Magic?"..." -- Elizabeth Ahlfors, Cabaret Scenes Magazine
"A promising musical kiss of rare beauty…her voice has a delicate beauty that mingles with a sultry side filled with emotion. You believe she means every word because each inflection of her voice absolutely reflects the meanings. Standards like "Autumn in New York" have never come across so beautifully and "Isn't It a Pity" has never sounded this sultry…once you hear this CD, it will be impossible to get the memory of Stevie Holland's voice out of your heart. The only thing better than owning this CD would be seeing her sing in person." -- The Rebecca Review.com
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