Opposites attract, and attract attention. Witness the perhaps odd couple of livewire singer-songwriter Michael Holland and gentle spirit Kevin Dozier (whose endearing balladeering filled his 2008 solo show with material from his debut CD re-viewed in this issue). Manic meets mellow and energy percolates in this primarily pop potpourri. It begins with a cute snippet as a nod to the hit-making Motown writing team of coincidental names, Holland/Dozier/Holland. (Why not a full segment in this medley-mad slice-and-dice rockpile?) Firecracker Holland switches between piano and guitar, with an ace band, singing merrily through, solo, duet or backing up his new partner on just harmonized “Ahhhh.” And “ahh!” is the reaction to the utter beauty of dulcet Dozier tones; standing calmly still, his high, sweet ‘n’ solid notes flowing naturally. Kevin is heaven. The night’s gem: his solo on Holland’s heartbreak original, “The Mention of You.” Together, harmonies, even on fluff, are enough to acquiesce because “they could just sing the phone book(s)—the white pages and yellow pages blending beautifully.” “A Heart in New York” had heart and soul. Light-hearted guilty pleasure hits of old like “Magic” were done with a wink but they can get in a groove, too.

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
August 3, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org