Holly Bowling at Woodlands Tavern-May 16th, 2016

To start the show Holly played “Taste,” a Phish song from the ’95 album Billy Breathes.  Then she stated that her husband asked her not to play “Taste,” so she has been playing it on every show this tour.  The crowd laughed and lightened up as she started into another Phish song, “The Curtain With.”  I was engrossed and in it for the whole show, enjoying the complex sounds that can only be expressed from a master of the Grand Piano.  “Help on the Way,” a Dead song, was extremely good.  (See video)  “Free” was another favorite of mine.  Everyone cheered when she played the guitar riff for “Free” by Phish.  She played with a passion and vigor that made for a tasteful place to have a glass of wine or a craft beer.

“Dark Star” was another highlight from the first set, a classic Dead tune.  She played this one with the finesse and sensitivity that only a true talent can pull off.

She threw in “Wild World” (Cat Stevens) and “Ohio” (CSNY),  When she played “Squirming Coil” to close the set, the crowd was fully into it.  Out of nowhere, everyone chanted the lyrics “….little Jimmy’s off to camp.”  But there were no lyrics throughout the entire show.  Holly plays the vocal line and instrumental parts simultaneously on her Piano.  As a musician, I understand how difficult this is to do.  For me as a classically trained guitarist, I only have to play rhythm and lead and sing the songs.  But what Holly does is compose her own versions of these songs, incorporating all parts to make the song shine.  I would imagine this is a laborious process that takes a large amount of time.