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Holly Hofman: Minor Miracle

By Jerry D'Souza
January 3, 2005
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Well, there's nothing as sweet as paying tribute, particularly when the tribute paid turns out to be well done and sincere. And so it happens as Holly Hofmann takes the listener on a journey that touches upon the songs that have influenced her. It is an effective selection with one tune, "Tonk," coming in at the suggestion of producer Thomas Burns. Hofmann does that tune justice, infusing it with a plethora of bright colors, weaving a delightful texture that vibrates and scintillates. The flounce gets into the deeper m'tier of swing soon enough, with Peter Washington on bass and Victor Lewis pushing and kneading the rhythm in supple communion.

Hofmann goes on a tangent, giving Billy Strayhorn's "Johnny Come Lately" a Latin twist. It works, the bend in the rhythm enunciated by Mike Wofford on the piano and then navigated by Lewis and Washington before Hofmann sails in delectably. She cuts deep enough into the stream, stirring up strong eddies that swirl and spread in undulating waves. Wofford adds the final harmonic sweep with an array of lucent ideas. There is a wistful air to "Everything I Love," and while Hofmann lends it that presence, it is Wofford who brings in the resonance with romantically turned harmonic insight.

At the end of it all, this Minor Miracle casts a nice, gentle spell.

Track Listing

Everything I Love; CRS-Craft; Minor Miracle; Samba do Avi?o; Tonk; Johnny Come Lately; Minha; Will You Still Be Mine

Personnel

Holly Hofman

Holly Hofmann--flute; Mike Wofford--piano; Peter Washington--bass; Victor Lewis--drums

Album information

Title: Minor Miracle | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Unknown label

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