"Blue Moon" should be a Gold Record

Ever since I first heard "Don't Make Me Beg" in 2000, I knew right away that I'd want Steve Holy's debut album. Little did I know I wouldn't actually get it till Christmas Eve, 2001. But like they say, good things are worth waiting for...

Holy is on the country scene, but you wouldn't really know that by listening to this album---he put such a wonderful variety of styles and moods here. Plus he's got a nice, tenor/baritone voice. From the fabulous '50s to ol' time country to modern ballads, Holy proves he can take a song from almost any genre and make it his own.


PROGRAM
---------------

Blue Moon 4:32---Breaking the unwritten rule that your album should kick off with an energetic, fast number, Holy opens with the gentle Blue Moon. The song is of a man pining away for the love who has left him. He sings that even though he can’t see the sky, he knows that there is indeed a blue moon out tonight. Gentle piano, strings, drum, and steel guitar back up Holy’s smooth vocals. Blue Moon was Holy’s second single, and enjoyed success on the country charts.

One Beat At A Time 3:28---Okay, now you get your first fast number. Here we have a song reassuring a woman that even though her past loves haven’t gone like she dreamed, the man singing to her will see to it that things work out between the two of them---one beat at a time (of course). Dobra and guitars are really featured nicely on this snappy song.

Cold Kisses 3:36---"Hola, que tal? Muy bien!" Okay, if you understood that, then you’re up on your Spanish. Cold Kisses has some Spanish influence thanks to a pleasant mixture of guitars (steel, electric, acoustic), and nylon string. The song has a bit of a draggy feel to it, but it’s appropriate---the man here is lamenting his great love who has now left him, and left him only with cold kisses. No one can compare to the woman who has left his world.

Just A Kiss 3:54---Welcome to the ’50s! One of the best tracks on the album, Just A Kiss has a strong ’50s feel to it. Little piano riffs with light drums at the beginning create that nostalgic feeling right off. In this song, at the end of a night a woman gives a man "just a kiss", but to him it’s different---it means more. You just can’t hear this song without picturin’ poodle skirts, sock hops, and nights out under the stars after the malt shop. This is quite a rare song for a country album, and I applaud Holy for doing what he likes---it comes off very well. Definitely a favorite of mine.

The Hunger 3:59---Wait, we’re still in the ’50s! Yup, that’s right, another nostalgic song. Only this time instead of the gentle, easy-listenin’ type of sound we have more of a Roy Orbison type of sound. This is a tale of a lonely woman and man on separate paths, both longing to feed their hunger for "love and tenderness". Later on their paths cross, and they’ve finally found someone to satisfy their hunger for their needs.

Tear One 2:43---Now we move from the ‘50s into ol’ time country. Bass, fiddles, and piano are the strongest instruments here creatin’ that ol’ two-steppin’ sound (there’s a great bridge featurin’ twin fiddles). The man in the song is blue over the fact that his woman’s left him even before he got a chance to cry in front of her. Despite the gloomy subject matter, the music gives a good peppy feel and makes it a treat to listen to.

She’s So 2:46---Now we go to the opposite end of the emotional spectrum---in this song, the guy has the girl. He’s on top of the world, and tries to find the words to describe just how wonderful she is. Drums and guitars keep a good, fast-paced drivin’ beat for the tune.

You’re Gonna Miss My Love 4:07---The low bass line and minor guitar licks here give a more serious, eerie feel to this song. The singer here knows that the girl that left him is gonna miss his love, no matter how "over it" she thinks she is. He knows better, and seems confident that she’ll come crawlin’ back someday when she realizes the mistake she made.

Someone’s Out To Get Me 4:12---This track has a slightly haunting feel, a little like the previous one. Yet Someone’s Out To Get Me is a little peppier and more driving. There’s a woman all about holdin’ onto her man, and he’s onto her wants and desires. Like he says, "Someone’s out to get me tonight/And if that someone has her way/I’ll be hers tonight". Sorta seductive and playful, it makes a good inclusion on the album.

If That’s What You Want 3:12---Here we go, back to the ‘50s again---electric and steel guitars are largely responsible for the backward time travel. The man here is singing to a woman about things he knows she likes---southern rain touchin’ her face, the thrill of a flirty chase---and says she can take it from him.

Don’t Make Me Beg 3:24---Holy’s first single (with moderate success), here’s the big "swing piece" of the album, sure to be a hit with dancers. The poor guy in the song has been sittin’ on a couch for an hour, tryin’ every trick he knows to get the girl to give him some love. He really wants to get some lovin’ goin’ on, and asks her to please don’t make him beg for it. A chorus of backup guys really add to the swing flavor (and there are some cool bass drum effects here and there).

Good Morning Beautiful 3:31---The closing song for Blue Moon is a gentle, lovely ballad. At the awakening of a new day, the man here greets his love with a "Good morning, beautiful" and asks her how her night was. He then goes on to bare his soul to her, showing how important she is to him. The gentle instrumentation and flowing tempo help to make Good Morning Beautiful the masterpiece of the album. It’s always great when an artist has their best song be their closer.


LINER NOTES
------------------

Yeah, so the liner notes aren't all that much. Steve is very thankful, as can be seen in his "Thank You"s which literally take up an entire page. I don't have a problem with that, I actually found it kinda humorous---never before have I seen so much thanks! But that makes all the people he thanked feel good...

There are 6 different picture of Steve all throughout the booklet, but, sadly, no lyrics. Have no fear, though---they do include the online addresses for Steve Holy sites (and a fan club application), and you can find the lyrics at www.steveholy.com (I haven't checked out the other site yet). Plus, they even offer the chords to Good Morning, Beautiful, which is perfect for piano-playin'-Good Morning, Beautiful-lovin' people like me.

Another interesting aspect of the liner notes---for every track it lists:

Songwriter/s
Publishing info
Instruments and Players (in specifics)
Background vocal/s

So, no lyrics, but some pretty cool stuff there.


COMMENTS
----------------

I've listened to this album about every day since I got it Christmas Eve. Yeah, so, like, I guess I like it. A lot. If you like country music but also like other genres, like light '50s sounds and swing, then I highly recommend you check out Blue Moon.

And not only can Holy sing, but he can write. He was co-writer on Just A Kiss (one of my 2 big favorites here), and Someone's Out To Get Me, the li'l racy, seductive song. He also knows how to harmonize well with himself---on tracks 2, 7, 8, and 10 he sings backup alone with his lead, and on track 3 he sings backup with one other male. Elsewhere there are other singers.

Steve Holy's debut is a strong one, albeit different from most country debuts. But that's good---a fresh flavor is always welcome on the (nowadays) too-bubble-gummish country scene.

Bottom Line? Blue Moon will leave you anything but!