michael holliday

Deep adult standards is a crate‑digging, repertoire‑focused take on mid‑20th‑century “adult standards” — the lush, crooner‑led popular songs associated with the Great American Songbook and the pre‑rock era. “Deep” signals an emphasis on lesser‑known singles, B‑sides, regional hits, and forgotten arrangements alongside the canon of elegant ballads and medium‑swing numbers. The style centers on polished vocal performances, romantic storytelling, and sophisticated arrangements for orchestra or big band rhythm sections. Harmonies draw on jazz practice, while forms often follow 32‑bar AABA or classic verse–chorus designs. The overall sound is warm, urbane, and intimate — music for lounges, supper clubs, and living‑room hi‑fi systems — with the spotlight firmly on phrased, conversational singing over refined accompaniment.