DNA - Take Two

Sometimes it’s just refreshing to hear an album of familiar tunes, rendered by unfamiliar artists who put their own special stamp on them. This is the case for the father-daughter team of Dorian and Nayanna Holley. Dorian was a backup singer for Michael Jackson and was the Vocal Director of Jackson’s final tour. As an in-demand backup, he has also worked for Rod Stewart, James Taylor and Coldplay among others. Nayanna followed in her dad’s footsteps, weighing in as a background singer for Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, St. Vincent, Sheryl Crow and more. Together on their duets album DNA, they perform their favorite songs from the ‘70s and ‘80s with an elite band. The alum idea was born from a pandemic streamed performance where they recorded Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” with guitarist Chris Bruce and bassist/producer Kaveh Rastegar. They used the blueprint of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway’s 1972 duo album. They tried to avoid conventional duets; love songs. Instead, these are mostly songs about unity, need for each other, and hope to emerge from the pandemic darkness. The result is probably one of the most soulful, touching albums you’ll hear. Father and daughter backup singers come to the forefront. The lingering question might be “What took so long?” Certainly there must be more where this came from. And there is: DNA’s second live onstage performance in 2 years. Don’t miss it!