Sony Holland’s latest release concentrates her best qualities, some wonderful original gems and dazzling production values into a solid snapshot of this dynamic and versatile performer.

The CD is split evenly among covers (Roberta Flack’s “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face,” Rodgers & Hart’s “My Funny Valentine” and “The Shadow of Your Smile”) and original material written by Sony’s talented husband Jerry Holland. His songs, interpreted so organically, standout with numbers like “As You Are,” “I Can’t Blame Them For Trying” and “Act Like You’re In Love With Me,” are likely to become American Songbook standards. Yes, they’re that good.

Sony swings with the best of them, and her vocals shine on the slower, languid ballads accompanied by some beautiful piano work and the sensual alto and tenor saxophones of Charles McNeal. A lovely version of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Meditation,” is just the right choice for Sony’s style. This bossa (an amalgam of the Brazilian samba and American jazz influences) displays all of Sony’s best attributes—the attention to rhythm and arrangement, the clear, strong vocals, and her sensual delivery. This song may get Sony the radio rotation she deserves.

Adding to the quality of this recording are arrangements by Jerry Holland, Larry Dunlap and Art Khu with engineering by Grammy Award winner Leslie Ann Jones. Sony is constantly improving—working her act to engage and delight her fans. With the great new original material presented here and the concentration on her strengths (swing and bossa’s), this CD is a hit.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
May 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org