Recordings (last update 2/3/2004)
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The New Black group's new release "Melting Pot Roast"
To purchase a copy of "The Reluctant Dog" CD please go to: www.angelair.co.uk
TRACK LISTING
1. What Are You Looking For 7. Living For Today
2. So Help Me God 8. Da Da Da, Dee Dee Dee
3. Punta Del Este 9. To Entertain You
4. Evermore 10. For Better For Worse
5. Stronger Every Day 11. Just Say Goodbye
6. Everything Ends Sometime 12. She Gives To Me
13. Out Of England
Musician Credits
Steve Holley, Keith Lentin, Justin Jordan, Amanda Holley, Benny Landa, Tammy Francica, Jerry Fierro, Lance Doss, Nick Pearson, Phil Curtis, Denny Laine, Sean Fleming, Gail Ann Dorsey, Carl Vreelander, Huw Gower
BIO
Born into a musical family STEVE HOLLEY first studied the piano moving to his main instrument, the drums, at the age of 12. Four years later he found himself touring the UK with the group Horse which led to a three year stint with Kiki Dee's band. He was invited by Elton John to play on the "A Single Man" album in 1977 becoming the drummer for Wings (on the classic "Back To The Egg" lp) touring and recording with Paul McCartney for the next three years until Wings' break-up in 1981. Since then Steve has toured and played with JOE COCKER , JULIAN LENNON, DAR WILLIAMS , BEN E KING, IAN HUNTER, CHUCK BERRY to name just a few!
Mr. Holley was the drummer at the White House benefit performance for the Special Olympics providing the beat for Stevie Wonder, Cheryl Crow, among others. He also had the distinction of doing the same at the John Lennon Tribute at Radio City Music Hall performing with Dave Stewart, Nelly Furtado and others.
Now from his New York base comes his first ever solo album, The Reluctant Dog, featuring Mr. Holley's voice and original songs - showing what a gifted, versatile and productive musician he is.
Reviews
All Music
Guide
Journeyman drummer Steve
Holley has provided some of the most solid and creative beats for Paul
McCartney, Kiki Dee, Joe Cocker, Julian Lennon, and Ian Hunter over the years,
and though he recorded a couple of tracks in the U.K. in January of 1980
(included here), those beats never got the opportunity to be heard backing him
up until the release of The Reluctant Dog, a 13-track collection of
melodies and feelings that are well worth the wait. For those put off by the
manufactured pop that Phil Collins runs off the assembly line, The Reluctant
Dog will provide much satisfaction. Produced by Holley and bassist/guitarist
Keith Lentin, the album is chock-full of surprises -- the short and sweet
instrumental "Punta del Este" (with daughter Amanda Holley on flute)
and a bubbling Genesis-like "Entertain You" to mention just two.
Holley (also listed in many credits over the years as Holly without the
"e") delivers splashes of Beatles on one of the early tracks,
"For Better or for Worse," which resembles the Fab Four's "Free
as a Bird" phase, though recorded 15 years before that classic hit the Top
Ten. This early recording features Holley on vocals, glockenspiel, piano, and
drums, with Nick Pearson's electric guitar and Phil Curtis on bass. The drummer
was concerned about adding the two decade-old tracks into this mix, but they
bring much to the set.
"Living for Today," the other number from the British sessions,
features Wings bandmate Denny Laine on harmony vocals and, with all due respect
to Laine (who has numerous classics on his solo recordings), this particular
tune would have fit on a Wings album much better than the items Laine chose to
contribute to Paul McCartney's band. The keyboards sound accordion-like, an
instrument that Sean Fleming brings to the very next track, "Da Da Da, Dee
Dee Dee." If it had the chance, "Just Say Goodbye" might have
been the perfect sequel to Julian Lennon's biggest hit, "Too Late for
Goodbyes," with a slower tempo and darker tones. It's one of the best of
many superior tracks. As Joey Molland's This Way Up and Ian McLagan's Best
of British were powerful statements by sidemen who were involved in
greatness, Steve Holley's work here also demands attention. Titles like
"She Gives to Me" and "What Are You Looking For?" would have
certainly made noise in another time. Let's hope this material finds the
audience it deserves and doesn't go the way of many a Kiki Dee album --
brilliant work lost in the shuffle that is this business of music. The Angel Air
label is intent on releasing all things related to Mott the Hoople and Ian
Hunter, and The Reluctant Dog is a nice addition to the collection,
resplendent in its colorful eight-page booklet containing lyrics, credits, and
photos. It's more than an impressive first album and one that should have seen
the light of day long before 2003. "Everything Ends Sometime" and
"Living for Today" also deserve mention. Joe Viglione
| Steve Holley | Primary Artist |
Classic Rock Newswire
STEVE HOLLEY 'The Reluctant Dog' SJPCD133 Angel Air (2003) http://www.angelair.co.uk Drummer Steve Holley has been a member of Wings and has worked/toured with Elton John, Julian Lennon, Ian Hunter and Dar Williams. This is his debut solo album and features ex-Wings member Denny Laine who adds harmony vocals to one track. 'What Are You Looking For' starts the album off in a mellow style, with some nice slide guitar by Justin Jordan. Steve Holley's vocal style is not dissimilar to that of Paul McCartney in places, none more so than on 'So Help Me God'. Other highlights include ' Evermore', the bouncy pop of 'Entertain You' and the slow burning 'Living For Today'. There is even a comic song in the shape of 'Da, Da, Da, Dee Dee Dee'! An album of laid back tunes, ideal for late night listening. You get the added bonus of some fine guitar playing and a wide variety of instruments from accordion to flute.. Not an instant album by any means but a definite grower.
Jason Ritchie
Classic Rock Newswire
Below is from www.allmusic.com
| Steve Holley | |||
| Years Active | 80s-00's | ||
| Performed As | Steve Holley | ||
| Genres | Rock | ||
| Instruments | Drums | ||
 Steve with members of Folks Like Us who toured the UK last year |
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from Barnes&Noble | ![[To Top]](aro_upw.gif){kind=small} |
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2003  |
Reluctant Dog | |
Angel Air |
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| Taylor Barton | Skinny Kat (1998) | Percussion, Drums, Vocals (bckgr) |
| Taylor Barton | 13 Break Ups (2000) | Percussion, Drums, Vocals (bckgr) |
| Deni Bonet | Bigger Is Always Better (2001) | Percussion, Drums, Harmony Vocals |
| Martin Briley | Dangerous Moments (1985) | Drums |
| Popa Chubby | One Million Broken Guitars (1998) | Drums |
| Popa Chubby | How'd a White Boy Get the Blues? (2001) | Percussion, Bongos, Drums, Finger Cymbals |
| Popa Chubby | Good, the Bad and the Chubby (2002) | Percussion, Drums |
| Joe Cocker | Live! (1990) | Drums |
| Joe Cocker | Night Calls (1992) | Drums, Tambourine |
| Joe Cocker | Best of Joe Cocker [Capitol] (1993) | Drums |
| Joe Cocker | Greatest Love Songs (2003) | Drums |
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| Reckless Sleepers | Big Boss Sounds |
| Sherman Robertson | Here and Now |
|
Steve Holly |
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| Years Active | 70's and 80's | ||
| Performed As | Steve Holley | ||
| Genres | Rock | ||
| Instruments | Drums | ||
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| Taylor Barton | Thoroughbred (1997) | Drums, Vocals (bckgr) |
| Gary Brooker | Lead Me to the Water (1982) | Drums |
| The Crazy World of Arthur... | Chisholm in My Bosom (1978) | Drums |
| Kiki Dee | Kiki Dee (1977) | Drums |
| Kiki Dee | Perfect Timing (1982) | Drums |
| Warren Haynes | Tales of Ordinary Madness (1993) | Drums |
| Elton John | Single Man (1978) | Drums, Horn |
| Elton John | Jump Up! (1982) | Drums, Tambourine, Synthesizer Drums |
| Elton John | To Be Continued... (1990) | Drums |
| Denny Laine | Japanese Tears (1980) | Drums, Vocals |
| Denny Laine | Blue Nights (1994) | Drums, Vocals (bckgr), Band |
Steve also is a member of The New Black and appears on their New Release, "Melting Pot Roast". Visit "The New Black's Website" by clicking the link.
Popa Chubby