Deborah Holland is a jack of all trades and the master of several. A member of the musically talented trio The Refugees, Holland, along with Wendy Waldman and Cidny Bullens, produced the excellent 2024 release, California. While that album relied on the group’s interpretation of classic folk-rock, Holland gets to flex her considerable songwriting muscles on ‘I Made It This Far.’ 

No, the album isn’t Animal Logic III. Instead, it is a fresh, thoughtful, and daring look at life and aging. Holland produced the eleven songs, which were recorded in various studios in California and Vancouver, BC. Working with many engineers and mixers, Wendy Waldman and Abraham Parker, Holland gave the album a warm, intimate feel. 

“Thankful (Thanksgiving 2023),” the album’s initial single and opening track, reflects where Holland was in her personal journey. In an age of pessimism and distrust, the song demonstrates someone who has gained perspective on their identity and priorities. Holland handles the acoustic guitar and brings in Patterson Barrett, whose pedal steel, mandolin, and organs make significant contributions to the song. Wendy Waldman adds additional harmonies to this gem. 

“A Long Time Ago” is an intimate yet powerful tale of friendship and the cycle of relationships. Holland’s piano is the instrumental core of the song, with string arranger Adrian Dolan handling the violin and viola and Amy Laing on the cello. Lyrically, Holland strings together vivid and identifiable tales:

“…You are the tail

She is the kite

When she sets sail

You hold on for dear life

Buried below

Is a friend I used to know

A long, long time ago…”

“Circling the Drain” is one of two writing collaborations with Dan Navarro, who also contributes harmony vocals to the song. Continuing the theme of gratitude and times progression, the song picks up the pace with Petterson Barrett’s lap steel lead guitar work supporting Holland and Waldman’s melodic acoustic guitar playing. 

The dulcimer-fueled “ My Lifeline” explores life’s questions and the drive to continue to evolve while realizing there may be less road ahead than behind. Patterson Barret’s dobro and Wendy Waldman’s vocals complement Holland’s dulcimer perfectly. 

“Unfinished Business” is deceptively delicate. Holland’s acoustic guitar and voice paint a picture of a relationship stuck in a place that may not be healthy and how it’s difficult to recover momentum. Carl Sealow provides an empathetic fretless bass, and Patterson Barrett’s pedal steel guitar is memorizing. 

“September ( The Saddest Month of the Year)” is a jaunty look at the change of season and the change of one’s life. By contrast, “Wildfires,” written with Shirley Wiebe, is a timely and sobering look at an ecological trend facing the U.S. and Canadian West Coast. The circle of life is clearly articulated in the song, as is the fleeting hope that salvation will come. Garth Bowen’s violin adds touches of crimson to the song. 

The album closer, “ 50 Year Reunions,” is an intimate affirmation featuring Holland and Abe Parker on acoustic piano and an expansive orchestration arrangement by Peter Bernstein. Holland asks questions that many of us ask when looking back on the years. 

“I was a dreamer, believed all that I said

Now, less of my life is lying ahead

How

did this happen? How did I get here?

Time doesn’t fly; it just disappears.”

Mature, sobering, and real, Deborah Holland delivers a musical statement that will resonate regardless of your personal situation. ‘I Made It This Far’ is available via https://deborahholland.bandcamp.com/album/i-made-it-this-far, which also includes bonus tracks. 

This is an album that deserves your attention. 

https://deborahholland.bandcamp.com/album/i-made-it-this-far