Michael Doherty's Music Log: Holland Greco at The Mayfair Hotel, 2-13-20 Concert Review

Friday, February 14, 2020

Holland Greco at The Mayfair Hotel, 2-13-20 Concert Review

It is Valentine’s Day, and to help us celebrate, Holland Greco has released a new single, “Listen For My Love,” a fun and sweet dance tune which she recorded with Funk LeBlanc. And last night she and her band (which includes a horn section) put on a totally enjoyable show at The Mayfair Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The set featured original material, including – of course – the new tune. The venue is beautiful, by the way. Finding a parking space is a challenge, but once you’re inside, the place’s good vibes will take over, put you in the right mood. This is the spot where Holland had scheduled her previous single release party last September, but a power outage in the neighborhood that night put a halt to it. Anyway, spirits were pretty high last night, and the music got the crowd dancing. Hell, folks were dancing even during the soundcheck.

At 9:17 p.m., members of Holland’s band began taking the stage, and soon things were popping as the band opened the set with “I Found Fun,” a song with a wonderful groove. Holland opened her show at Gold Diggers last October with this one, and it’s a good choice for set opener. It gets things moving, and promises a fun set. Holland followed that with “Lovestruck,” that thumping bass keeping things in motion. This one is a disco gem. Is it any surprise that the audience was dancing? She dedicated “Toast To Life” to a guy named Mitch, then said “This is about having a good time and enjoying the moment.” In these twisted days, it is important to remember to enjoy ourselves. Life is short, and it’s not going to get longer by us dwelling on all the horrible stuff going on out there. The song’s dance beat certainly helps us have a good time. This tune also featured some nice work on guitar. Holland then picked up a tambourine for “What Is Dark,” telling the crowd the song “is a little more in the soul vein.” As is the case with all of Holland’s material, it featured an excellent vocal performance, and this one last night also featured some nice harmonies.

“We Could Still (Get It On)” was the last single that Holland Greco released (it is available on vinyl). As they began it last night, Holland introduced the band. This tune has such a positive feel to it, and it is one of the songs that got people dancing during the soundcheck, as well as during the set. Holland followed that with an older gem, “Flashback,” with its gentle, cool groove. Then Holland played the new song, “Listen For My Love.” “It’s a song that I wrote and recorded with Funk LeBlanc, and the single is coming out tomorrow,” she told the audience, who cheered in response. “So you’re hearing it first. And, I don’t know, this is probably the first time it’s really been played in public.” I am always excited to hear new material from Holland Greco, and this song certainly has an uplifting and positive vibe. Early on in the tune, Holland sings, “When skies are grey, I’m coming in with the gift of sunrays.” Oh yes! Though this tune did not feature the horns, it still had a fun vibe. (By the way, you can check out the song here.) The horn section returned for “Real Love,” a song that kept the positive vibes going. The set then concluded with “Guilty Pleasure Zone,” an older favorite, with Holland on electric ukulele. The crowd called out for an encore, but that was it. Leave ‘em dancing and wanting more, right?

Set List