Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
“The marriage of Joel's music and Tharp's choreography has been blessed with the talent of Darren Holden. Opening night was Holden's night to shine and that he did. His strong vocals and keyboard expertise are as close to Joel's as one gets. His interpretation of the music and the emotion behind it drives the show, skillfully maneuvering it through an emotional mine field. Holden topped the night off with a lively rendition of "New York (Richmond in this case) State of Mind."
- Joan Tupponce, Richmond.com
“ Darren Holden dazzles Toronto audiences with his keyboard pyrotechnics….the music, played and sung by Holden and his band, will make you want to leap to the stage and start dancing.”
-Richard Ouzounian, Toronto Star, November, 26, 2005
"The nine-piece band - including a wonderful Darren Holden as vocalist Billy Joel stand-in - really rocks."
-Michael Crabb, CBC Radio, November 29, 2005
“Seated at a baby grand piano is Darren Holden, a singer with biceps bulging out from under a snug black tee-shirt. There's no doubt he is supposed to evoke Joel himself. He plays and sings the songs with the panache of the original Piano Man. Though Movin' Out is about Vietnam, its message now that more than 2,000 American troops have lost their lives in Iraq won't escape anyone who has a relative in the military. The tears that many audience members shed as Holden sang the lyrics ‘And we will all go down together’ are the strongest testament to the show's ultimate success.”
-Christopher Blank, Memphis Commercial Appeal, November 18, 2005
“Holden and his talented band survey more than two dozen of Joel's hits, from sensual ballads to hard-driving, up-tempo numbers…he’s a marvelous pianist and lead vocalist!”
-Rick Rogers, The Oklahoman, September 29, 2005
“Holden leads his high-energy ensemble through more than 20 Billy Joel songs, but he makes no attempt to imitate the master. With his sometimes-raw tenor voice and two-fisted piano style, he gives songs such as "Angry Young Man" and "Captain Jack" an urgency that even Joel doesn't equal.
-Paul Hodgins, Orange Country Register, June 30, 2005
Page 2 Darren Holden Movin’ Out Tour Quotes
“Joel's music is reborn through a live onstage rock band and the vocal mastery of Darren Holden, whose top-notch musicianship and distinctive style capture Joel's personality without impersonating him.” -Marcia Morphy, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, May 3, 2005
“Darren Holden is a superb stand-in for the songwriter; his renditions of "Uptown Girl" and "Innocent Man," among others, outdo the original recordings!”
-Peter Marks, Washington Post, November 24, 2004
“In Movin' Out, all the songs are sung by Darren Holden, a gifted piano-playing lead vocalist who heads a pulsing rock band.”
-J. Wynn Rousuck, Baltimore Sun, November 24, 2004
“Muscular, penetrating and passionate, the songs become superb theater music here with Darren Holden singing them not merely as Joel’s deputy, or as accompaniment to the dancing, but as a star performance by itself.” - Lewis Segal, Los Angeles Times, September 20, 2004
“Darren Holden at the piano doing the lead vocals a la Billy Joel, is wonderful.”
- Jay Reiner, Hollywood Reporter, September 20, 2004
“Darren Holden is remarkable as the Billy Joel stand-in on piano and vocals. He plays virtuoso runs and sings with supercharged passion.”
-Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle, July 9, 2004
“The show’s narrative is driven by 26 of Joel’s songs, performed by the wonderfully talented Irish singer Darren Holden as “the piano man.” Holden, who sings and plays every song in the show in an astounding display of vocal and keyboard stamina, is the heart of an absolutely killer 10-piece band.”
-Paul Liberatore, Marin Independent Journal, July 9, 2004
“I became a fan of another person during this show: Darren Holden – who played piano and sang all of Joel’s hits – he has a voice that Joel (who has frequently chided his own set of pipes), would kill for. Holden’s energy, and that of the band backing him, did justice to the music. I’ve been to five Billy Joel concerts in my time, and this show made me feel like I went to a sixth!”
-Marla J. Pugh, Fairfield Daily Republic, July 9, 2004
“Darren Holden is brilliant….he has a smoother, richer voice than the superstar he emulates.”
-Lisa Millegan, Modesto Bee July 12, 2004
“Holden’s vocal work on Joel’s songs is the next best thing to having the Piano Man there himself.”
-Chad Jones, Oakland Tribune, July 9, 2004
“Handling piano and vocals on opening night at the Paramount Theatre was Irish popster Darren Holden. He is bright and fresh—and very impressive.”
-Joe Adcock, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 11, 2004
“Invigorating, thanks to the driving power of a killer stage band fronted by keyboard player and voc - MOVIN' OUT TOUR QUOTES
Discography
Singles.
After Tonight.
Don't Give up on Us.
More Than I Can Say.
Albums.
Suddenly
Live and Learn.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
DARREN HOLDEN
Darren Holden is one of today’s most talented and popular young performers. Born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, Darren is not only a prolific songwriter but a master interpreter of lyrics as well, and audiences around the world continue to praise his exceptional vocal talents. At the age of 16, he put together his first band, Wanted, which developed an excellent reputation for its country-rock sensibilities, and toured extensively in the UK, Europe, and the US. After Wanted disbanded, Darren concentrated on songwriting, winning several prizes in the “Irish Song for Europe” competitions, as well as composing awards in various competitions in Finland, Sweden, Greece, Los Angeles, Kiev and Kazakhstan. One of his tracks, “After Tonight”, was released domestically and peaked in the top ten of the Irish national charts.
In 1995, Darren was asked to support Boyzone on their first major tour of Ireland and the UK. During this period, Darren worked with producer Ray Hedges (Boyzone, B*Witched), and had top ten hits in Ireland with “After Tonight” and a cover of Leo Sayer’s “More Than I Can Say”. In the summer of 1998, he toured as a guest artist to various festivals with artists such as Paul Young, Peter Andre, and Belinda Carlisle. He collaborated with country artist Rodney Crowell on a track, “Wendy’s World”, as part of the Celtic Harmony Festival. He also collaborated with R’n’B artist Montell Jordan on “It Will Always Be You.
Darren’s debut solo album, “Suddenly,” was released in Ireland at the end of 1998. The album contained three top 20 hits, and the national Irish music radio station, 2FM, gave it “Album of the Week” status. A few months later, Darren was cast as a lead singer in "Riverdance", which he performed on Broadway and on tour for more than three years. While in New York, Darren recorded a CD of original traditional/contemporary country songs. The recording sessions took place in New York and Nashville. His album Live & Learn, was released in 2002 in the US and produced three top 40 airplay hits. Darren was nominated for the 2004 New Music Weekly Award in the category of “Best Country Male Artist.”
In November, 2005 Darren released a single, “Through Hell and High Water” dedicated to the Katrina victims. It is available for download via www.darrenholden.com and all proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity’s Operation Home Delivery.
Darren has performed for President and Mrs. Bush, other dignitaries and thousands of holiday revelers at the Annual White House Christmas Pageant of Peace and Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, DC and appeared in concert at the famed Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles, performing original songs and backed by members of the “Movin’ Out” band.
Darren is currently performing piano and lead vocals in the U.S. national tour of the Tony Award-winning hit Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp musical “Movin’ Out” which he also performed in the Broadway production.
www.darrenholden.com
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