Like one of her biggest selling albums,
Yesterday's Love Songs/Tomorrow's Blues, Hollywood My Way is filled with strong material, fine arrangements, and more than enough evidence of
Nancy Wilson's considerable and elegant vocal talents. One thing Hollywood My Way doesn't have, though, is a big hit like
Yesterday's Love Songs' "Guess Who I Saw Today," and that goes a long way in explaining Capitol's reticence about releasing it. Regardless, this collection of movie songs ranging from 1931's "When Did You Leave Heaven" to 1962's "Days of Wine and Roses" (with
Jimmy Jones' stellar arrangements) is one of
Wilson's best. As usual, she deftly works through a variety of tempi with aplomb. "My Shining Hours"' breakneck speed and arrangement are kept in check by her behind-the-beat, elongated phrasing, while the ballad tempo in "Days of Wine of Roses" is ignited with an assured and dramatic vocal buildup.
Wilson's supple voice seems especially fit for the bossa nova treatment of "Moonriver" -- she easily shifts from a whisper to full-throated dynamics over the lilting yet steady beat. Equally impressive is her urbane blues delivery on "When Did You Leave Heaven." ~ Stephen Cook