Available from Dutch Treat Music:
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By Heart--DTR 1006
(CD)
In recent years, Bill has moved more surely into a certain attractive and
accessible landscape of the jazz camp that is neither frantic fusion,
formulaic lite jazz nor harmonically impaired new age.
The main reason why he has conquered those slippery slopes is his choice of
empathetic instrumentalists in his ever-changing Rent’s Due Band. For “By
Heart,” he put together a core of top musicians who are chums off the job
but who pursue very different musical paths.
For example, bassist Paul Langosch works in Tony Bennett’s band. Drummer
David Mattacks is best known for his work with Fairport Convention, Richard
Thompson, and Mary Chapin Carpenter, but is at heart a jazz drummer. Bruce
Swaim, the remarkable tenor sax player who stamps this album with a lyrical
authenticity, has worked with everybody from Keeter Betts, Ella Fitzgerald’s
longtime bass player, to the late guitar hero Danny Gatton.
Songs range from a opening-cut solo piano performance to a langorous
rumba to a full-blazing hard-bop sextet number to a remarkable bolero played
just by Holland and Langosch, overdubbed to create a bass choir. These
instrumentals are seasoned with a couple of choice vocal tunes, some in the
laid-back combo style with roots in Nat Cole and Mose Allison but updated
most popularly by Diana Krall and Nora Jones.
For this album, Bill was nominated for five Washington Area Music
Awards; he walked away with the Best Jazz Duo or Group award.
No Use Blaming Love MP3
Let's Get One Thing Straight MP3
Way Overdue--The Best of Bill Holland & the Rent's Due Band DTR
1005 (CD) (1998)
A completely remastered compilation of The Best of Bill Holland and the Rent's Due Band, 1974-1981. Sixteen tracks. Also features previously unreleased songs and studio and live performances. Hailed by The Washington Post as a "revelation" and "a motherlode of highlights and rarities."
A Night of Wonder MP3
Players, Fools and Thieves
DTR 1004 (CD) (1995)
Performing Songwriter Magazine rated this album which highlighted Bill's return to the scene, as one of five best indie albums of 1995. Also nominated by the Washington Area Music Assn. for Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, the album won Holland Best Jazz Vocalist award. DC Scene characterized the album as "a soundtrack to the story of your life."
It also features Holland songs sung and played by Bill as well as John Jennings, Tommy Lepson. Mary Ann Redmond, Bill Baker and tenor sax titans Ron Holloway, Al Willams and Bruce Swaim. Full-range Holland repertoire: ballads, r&b, power-pop and jazz choices.
True Blue Trio DTR
1003 (Cassette) (1993)
Originally recorded in trio format as a cassette demo for clubs, the jazz-oriented True Blue Trio got leaked to the press. In its review, The Washington Post gave it thumbs up, calling it "soul jazz with sardonic wit and unabashed sentiment." The review spotlighted Holland's reading of "Pennies From Heaven" and Ellington's "I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues" as "among the album's highlights," adding that the Holland's singing "reflects the humor and, stoic philosophy advanced by the likes of Percy Mayfield and Mose Allison."
Let It Go Live DTR
1002 (LP) (1980)
Recorded from an FM aircheck of a headline performance at Washington's legendary Cellar Door, this album catches the last Rent's Due Band-- Paul Bell, guitar; Larry Strother, tenor sax; Ronnie Newmyer, bass, and Chuck Sullivan, drums, at their peak. Included are the killer-diller tunes that didn't make it onto album form, such as "Ernie's Place," "Crossing the Line" and "You, My Lover."
It's About Time DTR
1001 (LP) (1979)
The Washington Post heralded this album as the work of "a first-rate composer and lyricist with an explosive band whose songs range from existential funk to tender ballads to joyous fusion." On guitar on this album are Rent's Due alumni John Jennings, best known for his later work with Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Keith Grimes, who was Eva Cassidy's guitarist throughout her short career. Featured are progressive station favorites, "Talk that Talk" and "Hamburger Heaven" with Jennings and "Feel That Fire" and "Run or Fight" with Grimes.
If It Ain't One Thing...
Adelphi 4104
(LP) (1975)
Voted one of WHFS FM albums of the year, 1976. Included in Village Voice columnist Robert Christgau's book, "Rock Albums of the '70's." Says Christgau: "If I were an a&r man and heard some unknown put across songs as out-of-the-ordinary as 'This Fourth Year' and 'Do The Mambo,' I'd say to hell with the cracked voice and sign him." "B+"
CDs are $15.00 including U.S. first class postage. Oveaseas $20.00 including air mail postage. Cassettes are $8.00/$13. LPs are $10/$15. Please send check,or money order made out to Bill Holland and mail to Dutch Treat Music, 4704 40th. Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781. Paypal accepted at bholland@his.com.
