Customer Reviews

Restless Willow

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Stevie Holland is destined be recognized as one of the greatest vocalists of our time. "Restless Willow", her third recording and second of songs from the Great American Songbook proves that she has a solid ability to interpret time-worn material in completely original, refreshing ways. She has brilliant jazz chops that swing out wildly on tunes like "Summertime", "It Might As Well Be Spring" and "Zoot Walks In". Then she turns around and unleashes powerful emotion with a gorgeous, rich, warm voice on songs like "Love Is Stronger Far Than We" (a rarely recorded song I've loved for many years by Francis Lai from the film "A Man and A Woman"), "Lush Life" and "Here's That Rainy Day". Also on this CD is a sexy duet with Rubén Flores co-written with composer Gary William Friedman and a heavenly love song that Holland and Friedman developed from Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg's "Jeg Elsker Dig"! Stevie Holland has taken me on one of the most exquisite musical journeys in recent memory with "Restless Willow".

Stevie Holland in her newest (and most refreshing) CD RESTLESS WILLOW proves that she has only tickled the surface of a vast repertoire of popular music for the voice in her previous recordings. She has a well focused vocal technique that is as comfortable in breezy scat/fluffy songs (`Zoot Walks In') as she is in `operatic' melodies (Gershwin's `Summertime', sung as the jazz form Gershwin only dreamed), standards such as `How Long Has This Been Going On?' with the neglected opening verse reinstated, torch songs like `Stardust', and finessed segues (`Here's That Rainy Day' preluded with `Soon It's Gonna Rain' from The Fantasticks). Simply said, every note and song Stevie Holland elects to interpret becomes completely her own, and the degree of style and comfort this amazing artist achieves in this rather broad repertoire is more than satisfying - it is amazing! Of course it helps to have the arrangements and orchestrations by Gary William Friedman who can make a very small ensemble of instruments sound like full orchestral backing. Highly recommended for ALL music lovers.

Imagine a warm -- but not too warm -- summer evening in a lantern-lit flower garden. That's the air of Stevie Holland's "Restless Willow" -- a soft, languorous jazz album that highlights Holland's smooth vocals and good choice of old and new songs.

Light percussion and an airy flute kick off the playful "It Might As Well Be Spring," a fun little melody that eases listeners into the slightly heavier songs. A sadder, more dignified tone comes in with the rich "Love is Stronger Far Than We," sensuous "How Long Has This Been Going On?", and the soaring duet with Ruben Flores, "One Touch."

But that sunny, catchy sound comes into the strummy "Summertime," playful "Sunny Skies," and the horn-augmented "Zoot Suit." The last half of this album is made mostly of gently sad ballads, finally climaxing in the poignant, restrained guitar blues of "Stardust."

The jazz-cabaret sound of Stevie Holland's voice is definitely suited to the songs here -- George Gershwin, Sinatra, Hammerstein, Tom Jones. Not to mention Holland herself and her husband/collaborator Gary William Friedman, who wrote the music for a few of these songs as well as producing and conducting.

Piano is the most prominent instrument in this album, save Holland herself. But it is a muted, softened sound as it trips along lightly behind her, backed by some solid, soft percussion, airy strings, and a tempo that stays mellow most of the time before bursting into a playful little tune.

Holland's voice is rich, smooth and soulful, gliding through the array of songs with apparently no effort; in "One Touch," she is paired with the soaring vocals of Ruben Flores. And the songs she wrote herself, "One Touch" and the sparkling "Jeg Elsker Dig" (translation: I love you) are not quite as well written as the covers, but taken alone they are truly excellent.

Stevie Holland's "Restless Willow" is a pretty, laid-back album of jazz/cabaret music, uniformly solid and full of fun and melancholy.

"Holland just tears through with her crystalline voice which impressively has the precision of a diamond cutter." ~ George Harris, All About Jazz/West Coast Edition ~

Stevie Holland's 2004 recording of "Restless Willow" belongs to one of the most charming and listener-friendly vocal jazz albums of our time. With arrangements and orchestrations by a talented arranger Gary William Friedman and backed by a bevy of skilled musicians, Ms. Holland interprets eleven songs in varied settings and levels of emotion.

She is at her most engaging self as she renders the opening number - one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's precious gems - "It Might As Well Be Spring." She is really like a restless willow as she sings...

"I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm
I'm as jumpy as a puppet on a string
I'd say that I had Spring fever
But I know it isn't Spring...
Oh, why should I have Spring fever
When it isn't even Spring"

The singer with a "crystalline voice" gives a fresh twist to "How Long Has This Been Going On?" by including an opening verse that is seldom heard on other recordings of this treasure of a song from the inspired pens of George and Ira Gershwin. Her take on another Gershwin classic, "Summertime" is a novelty - it has the most unique arrangement that evokes a breezy and summery mood. And the same summery ambience is felt with her exuberant treatment of "Sunny Skies," an original song written by James Taylor.

Gary William Friedman takes "Here's That Rainy Day" to a new level by giving its chart arrangement a touch of Bossa Nova that Stevie Holland delivers flawlessly with the creative support of percussionist Steve Kroon, bassist Tim Ferguson, pianist George Small and guitarist Sean Harkness. They, indeed, give this hauntingly beautiful song a lift and the justice it so deserves. And I truly loved it.

The finale is one of the best tracks - Mitchell Parish and Hoagy Carmichael's sublime creation - "Stardust." My special mention goes to Sean Harkness for his breathtakingly beautiful lone guitar accompaniment behind Ms. Holland's impressive vocals. His solo is amazing and evokes a feeling of antiquity. Her voice is an instrument by itself - it stands out even without the embellishment of an orchestra and exudes warmth and timeless elegance. I simply adore this version.

In sum, this is a recording to savor not only in Springtime, but for all seasons. And please check out another remarkable album of Ms. Holland, More Than Words Can Say. With my heartfelt recommendation.

"An optimist is the human personification of Spring." ~ Susan J. Bissonette ~

Restless Willow,a CD by Stevie Holland,impressed me especially on track 10;"Zoot Walks In",the Dave Frishberg lyrics set to the melody of Zoot Sim's "Red Door".After Stevie's first chorus,guest David "Fathead"Newman sounds very much like Zoot as he swings his turn and then voice and tenor in octaves and then in harmony for 16 are followed by Stevie on the bridge and last 8 and a tag with all concerned serving the tune very well indeed.The arrangement by Gary Friedman was clever and the performance[besides being in tune ,showing great ensemble and with each syllable clear,]swings! If you weren't tapping your foot you weren't listening.

If you are looking for an imaginative musical escape, Stevie Holland will impress you with her romantic nature and nostalgia inducing voice.

Throughout this CD, Stevie changes moods, takes on sassy songs and delves deeply into meaningful lyrics. Her voice mirrors the lyrics as she expresses wonderfully sensitive and sophisticated interpretations with her unforgettable soothing alto voice.

Her velvety voice dances with high energy in the jazz classic "Summertime" and then she artfully drifts into a romantic "How Long Has This Been Going On?" as her voice mellows into a warm sheer beauty. There is a stunning clarity in her voice and she takes each song and creates an entire world of romance.

You might also love "Almost Like Being In Love." I can highly recommend Stevie Holland's CDs for rainy days, dreamy winter nights by the fireplace or a relaxing evening.

~The Rebecca Review

if Stevie Holland can somehow channel Toni Tennelle type of vocal vibe then I'd say you gotta keep any eye on Her. Her voice works well on certain cuts but sometimes things are hit&Miss.give Her time.I look to hearing what she does in the future.right now She is still finding Her voice.