Clint Holmes
Holmes for the Holidays
Myron’s at The Smith Center, Las Vegas, NV, December 8, 2024
Reviewed by Jeanie Carroll
Clint Holmes’ fantabulous extravaganza began with a rousing “Go Tell it on the Mountain” (John Wesley Work, Jr.); it was bluesy and full of pizzazz and got the crowd at Myron’s at The Smith Center fired up for what was to come. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (Jule Styne/Sammy Cahn) showcased a syncopated Latin rhythm that led to a blazing jazz piano solo by the incomparable and brilliant Bill Zappia and the grooving sensual bass lines of Dave Ostrem. Holmes’ brand of scat and his improvisational expertise launched the piece. The evening went higher into the stratosphere came with an upbeat folk-story song, “The Marvelous Toy” (Tom Paxton), about a little boy who receives a gift that amazes and bemuses him. (The way Holmes performed it, I believed it was a toy soldier.) Then came the rat-a-tat-tat and parrum-pa-pum-pum of “The Little Drummer Boy” (aka “Carol of the Drum”) (Katherine Kennicott Davis). Unlike the way the song is usually performed, Holmes used his gifts to take us back in time to that very moment at the manger. Drummer Don Meoli provided fireworks that went back and forth between the sticks and the voice. Some members of the audience were already on their feet this early in the show!
A new rendition of “This Christmas” (Donny Pitts/Dadine McKinnon) became an audience-participation number, and we loved it. How many ways can one talk about how varied and show-stopping Holmes’ musical choices were in both repertoire and superior vocal stylings? His interpretations were honed to a fine point and were seemingly effortless. I didn’t know about him during his early career, but suspect his mastery has always been there.
The “best band we’ve ever heard” (according to a fan from the previous night) was composed of pianist and music director Zappia, guitarist Jimmy Tripi, drummer Meoli, and bassist Ostrem.
Special guest Kelly Clinton-Holmes, bedazzled head to toe in red sequins (“on her way to do some grocery shopping,” she quipped), was invited to the stage for a duet on “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (Frank Loesser) and to add sultry harmony on “Merry Christmas, Baby” (Lou Baxter/Johnny Moore/Charles Brown). Tripi, a stellar guitarist, got to shine and wail on this one.
We were brought down to earth with the heartfelt story of “William, the Angel” (Rob Mathes). Staring at his broken wing, William just wanted to save one soul. Holmes relaxed into this touching tale with simplicity and emotional honesty. He could play with his powerful vibrato and decide when to use it and when not to. He had such a command of it that he could hold us all in the palm of his hand. The quiet sparkle of the chimes and the crescendo at the end made for a nice touch.
Singers from the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts were invited to provide a holiday serenade. They had been caroling in the foyer as we arrived at the concert, which was a wonderful Christmas treat. Their group is called Sunset Swing, and their set included an a cappella and harmonious “Joy to the World” (Isaac Watts/Lowell Mason) and a flawless doo-wop rendition of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (Johnny Marks).
Holmes moved into the the audience for a swinging medley of “White Christmas” (Irving Berlin), “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (Walter Kent/Kim Gannon), “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (J. Fred Coots/Haven Gillespie), and “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (Johnny Marks) to everyone’s toe-tapping, sing-along delight.
Included in this exhilarating roller-coaster ride was Holmes’ endearing tribute to his musical family. He showed an excerpt from his 1991 television variety show, New York at Night. He shared his fond memories of his sister Gayle Holmes, and we heard her rich alto as she soloed on “The Christmas Song” (Robert Wells/Mel Tormé) and a duetted with her brother on “Winter Wonderland” (Felix Bernard/Richard Bernhard Smith). Clint’s dad, jazz singer Ed Holmes, crooned “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” and his mom, soprano Audrey Holmes, sang “Oh Holy Night” (Adolph Adam/John Sullivan Dwight). Clint’s tenor voice brought us back to present day as he finished this dynamic holiday anthem, which led to a standing ovation.
Longtime friend Antonio Fargas was invited onstage to talk a little about the 50th anniversary celebration of Starsky & Hutch that will take place at the Monaco International Film Festival. Fargas was Huggy Bear on that television series, but he was really there to perform “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” while Holmes regaled us with some hilarious sound effects and commentary. It was a pleasant surprise to see Holmes share the goofy side of his personality with us.
The Sunset Swing Singers joined Holmes and the full band for an inspirational “We Three Kings” (John Henry Hopkins, Jr.). This polished production number garnered riotous applause. The fewer than 20 members who comprise the group sounded like 100! It was magnificent. Then, Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” began with beautiful sounds from the choir, until Holmes delivered his peaceful and sensitive take on the song’s verse. The audience, sitting forward in their seats, hung on to every lyric and were transported to an ethereal world with the tinkle and then the glory of the instruments and the vocal prowess of the chorus. It was perfection; it received another standing ovation, and it wasn’t even the finale. And, you know what? It really IS “the best band we’ve ever heard!”
An updated and ecstatic “Christmas Baby, Please Come Home” (Ellie Greenwich/Jeff Barry/Phil Spector) began as a solo by the dazzling and energetic Kelly Clinton-Holmes, who was joined by Fargas, Clint, and the Sunset Swing Singers. The audience clapped and sang along with a smile on every face. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the audience react to the virtuosity and variety of this outstanding concert. The show ended with an electrifying and unexpected gospel-flavored version of “Jingle Bells.” By then, the audience was already on its feet, so the revival feel was complete. No one wanted it to end. Can I get a witness?
