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ARCHIVE
by Lauren McFalls (truncated)
...Since the record's release... song promoter Sue Auclair reports, a WQRC radio disc jockey in Hyannis receives nine
calls every time he plays the song. And, she continued, radio show host Ron Della'chiesa of WGBH likes it so much that he's
invited the composer/singer to be a guets on his show. Further, the song is currently receiving enthusiastic airplay on WBUR,
WMRE, and WICN.
Could this recording be Boston's new theme song? Nothing would make Dolan happier. Her song, featuring Dick Johnson on
soprano saxophone and musical arrangements by pianist Paul Schmeling, conjures up images of Boston's panoramas, like the Charles
River at sunset.
As her first recording, Dolan was inspired to write the song because - unlike San Francisco, New York, and Chicago - there's
no tune which specifically honors Boston. ... Now, Dolan says, all she can do is hope the song sells.
"Like your children, a song has a life of its own," Dolan said. "Whatever's going to happen is going to
happen. All I can do is give it a boost and hope that it goes."
Then again, there are always little ways to aid the song's likelihood of catching on. For instance, she consciously arranged
the song to appeal to both Pop and Jazz listeners.
"I wanted to keep it neutral, so that a Jazz musician would find it interesting, yet clear enough so it would appeal
to the commercial market," she reflected.
...Dolan got her start after winning a radio contest search for a crooner to complemnet Boston's Big Band leader, Bob
Batchelder. But her first shot at fame quickly fizzled, lasting only several months. However, following the brief rise to
semi-celebrity status, Dolan began singing pop music for a variety of society band, performing at weddings, dances, and parties.
Two years later, she was married, and dropped out of the music scene long enough to raise four children in Lexington.
But the singer always counted on a comeback. And in 1974, her plans turned into reality. The difference was the her new
efforts had a distinctively spiritual ring. ...
... In October [1983], she performed in an "Artists for Survival" concert at M.I.T., a performance meant to
raise the public's conscious toward the threat of nuclear war.
But Dolan didn't stop there. Switching into a different performance mode, the Pop singer also started working in hotel
lounges and night clubs, playing the piano to accompany her songs,
... She combines religious performances with her work in lounges. In addition, she teaches a class in advanced techniques
for voice production at Berklee College of Music, and offers private lessons.
[A good part of her time was also spent] at the University of Massachusetts/Boston music school or studying voice under
Lexington resident Robert Gartside, head of the Vocal Department at Boston University.
Dolan is still active in the Lexington Music Club, a group of semi-professional and professional women musicians, who
sing classical pieces for private functions. ...
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