The Dream

Trilogy Records has released “The Dream”, the long-awaited new CD by Steve Holt. It is the first album in the pop/rock genre by the artist who had previously been known as one of Canada’s great jazz pianists and composers. “The Dream” features Steve as a vocalist and songwriter, as well as pianist.

Critic Dan Brisebois writes, "There really isn't a bad cut on the disc - and several are just plain exceptional. With a little something for everyone, you'll have your own favourites. The beast has been unleashed ... and it's going to quietly make you re-think your views on modern adult pop music."

>> Download (right click and save) the free, full length MP3 "Surrender" from the CD "The Dream" which will not be released to the public until August 21.

>> Listen to "Surrender" (You will need MediaPlayer)

>> Click here to listen to samples of "The Dream" in streaming MP3 format. (A fast connection is recommended)

>> Click here to listen to samples of "The Dream" in downloadable MP3 format.

© 2001 Steve Holt

The video of "We Need You" has been released.

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Steve Holt - The Dream

Produced by Darius Szczepaniak and Steve Holt

Lyrics and music by Steve Holt, except:

Let It Be » by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Can’t Find My Way Home » by Steve Winwood
Just To Be With You » Lyrics by Steve Holt and J.K. Gulley

Steve Holt » Vocals, background vocals, grand piano, keyboards, arrangements
Rique Franks » Background vocals
Liz Tansey » Background vocals
Sean Baillie » Electric Guitars
J.K. Gulley » Acoustic Guitars
Kevin Turcotte »  Trumpet
Russ Boswell » Electric and Acoustic Bass *
Jorn Andersen » Drums and Percussion
Sovereign Voice » Choir

Recorded at Inner Music and Phase One Recording Studios, Toronto Canada
Mixed at Phase One Recording Studios, September 2001.

Engineer » Darius Szczepaniak
Assistant Engineer » Greg Kolchinsky
Mastering » Scott Hull, Classic Sound, New York NY

* Let It Be » Darius Szczepaniak, electric bass
* We Need You » Steve Holt, keyboard bass

Steve Holt speaks about… The Dream

The Dream is the album I've always wanted to make. I started playing piano at the age of four, and music became an integral part of my childhood. As a teenager in the early seventies, my first performances were as a folk singer-songwriter, doing the coffee house circuit in Montreal. Then my dad, always my supporter and benefactor, financed studio time for a demo, and some little spark inside me flared up. I still remember how magical it all was, being in a big recording studio. I had played piano for 14 years and never had touched a grand piano until I played the Yamaha C7 at that studio in 1972. In a way, that was the beginning of The Dream, although I could not have known it would take 30 more years to complete.

I was always proud of the fact that I was self-taught, but by the time I was in my late teens, I realized that not having a teacher was like taking the long way to another galaxy. I found McGill University and discovered Jazz. I spent the next two decades in the pursuit of excellence as a Jazz pianist and composer, honing my skills as a musician. I studied in New York with the great pianist Kenny Barron. I almost forgot about my earlier experiences in pop music. Almost, but never quite. I released four albums. I became a big-shot analyst on Bay Street, all the while telling myself that one day I would leave it all and make that pop album I had never made. I would one day make the album that would allow my heart to speak what I had never permitted it to speak.

Finally, in November 1999, after 15 years as an analyst, I left Bay Street and began making plans to make The Dream come true. I built a dream studio in my living room. It was time to make that album, so long awaited. A production team was assembled, led by producer Darius Szczepaniak. Darius enabled me to go through that door - his contribution to the album cannot be overstated. Over a period of many months, songs were written and re-written. Tracks were recorded. Slowly, like some sleepy giant, the album began to take its shape. There was real, palpable magic surrounding the project. The musicians - most of whom I had never met - they could feel it. The engineers could feel it. We all knew something remarkable was happening to all of us. It was as if all who touched this project received a blessing of some kind. Really.

Steve Holt
September 9, 2001
Toronto, Canada