Customer Reviews

Amy Holland

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After hearing Amy (McDonald) Holland's incredibly unmistakeable voice on her husband's album, it made me want to get another copy of this CD (I wore the cassette out). Amy has a great voice that takes you to every emotion. This is an enjoyable collection that will bring you back.

This debut album from Amy Holland came out in 1980, and as anyone reading this is probably at least vaguely aware of, Holland went on to marry Michael McDonald in 1983. Her future husband is all over this album, as is Patrick Henderson with whom McDonald had previously collaborated with--they produced the album together, and they also play on every track, alternating between acoustic and electric piano. Naturally, McDonald also contributes background vocals. McDonald was at his Doobie Brothers peak during this period, so it's no surprise that this ends up being a highly enjoyable album with not very much to complain about. The performances are ultra-professional and vibrant with Holland's vocals being extremely tasteful and pleasant. Things do get dull occasionally, for instance on the weepy ballad "Looking For Love", but for the most part, the album is a real pleasure. Dan Seals did a great, driving, funky version of the Paul Bliss-penned "How Do I Survive" on his "Stones" album from the same year; Holland's version, which became a US top 30 hit, doesn't have the urgency of Seals' version, and instead goes with a more relaxed, casually funky vibe, ending up with an infectious version in her own right. "Here In The Light", written by McDonald & Henderson, is a gem in the vein of the Doobies' "Open Your Eyes" which they also wrote. There's a sumptuous, brilliantly reinterpreted version of Dan Fogelberg's "Stars"--it's done in a lush ballad style, and it's far superior to his own version from his debut album "Home Free". Holland co-wrote one song with the catchy "Don't Kid Yourself", and there's one Michael McDonald solo composition with the marvelous "Show Me The Way Home", an uncanny groove tune that's relaxed, yet funky, and loaded with McDonald's trademark syncopation (although the opening riff is eerily similar to Sister Sledge's "We Are Family"). This is a very strong album, and if you're a big McDonald fan, this album is a must. Any fan of late '70s/ early '80s soft rock should get a lot out of this.

(P.S. This album was released on CD by Magic Records, and I'd recommend that you don't pay a lot for it... I have a couple of CDs from Magic, including Amy's follow-up album "On Your Every Word", and they each have some real sound quality issues, seemingly having been "remastered" from vinyl and/ or cassette copies. So, for the time being you may well be better off sticking with an original vinyl copy (in solid condition, of course), and if you like, transferring it to CD yourself. May the buyer beware.

I remember "Here in the Light" and "How Do I Survive" as FM favorites in the early 80's. I've hung onto the vinyl for years and it's nice to finally see Amy Holland's album on CD. This ranks right up there with Bossa Nova Hotel, Pages, Rumours, Silk Degrees and AJA as a durable West Coast classic.