|   The
Holmes Brothers – State Of Grace
{Alligator Records, 2007}
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The chilling gospel-like harmonies of The Holmes
Brothers; Sherman Holmes - bassist/vocalist, Wendell
Holmes - guitarist/pianist/vocalist and Popsy Dixon
- drummer/vocalist combine rock and church in a
bluesy-gospel kind of way. The Holmes Bros have
recorded with Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Odetta,
Phoebe Snow, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, Levon
Helm and Joan Osborne, and have gigged all over
the world—even performing for President Clinton.
They joined the Alligator Records family in 2001
with their label debut Speaking In Tongues. In 2004
Simple Truths followed. They won the coveted Blues
Music Award from the Memphis-based Blues Foundation
for Band of The Year in 2005.
Along with the Holmes Brothers on State Of Grace
are: Glenn Patscha, guitar, piano and organ; Larry
Campbell, mandolin, guitar, pedal steel; Byron Isaacs,
upright bass and guitar; Catherine Russell, vocal
and guitar; Rosanne Cash, vocal; John Leventhal,
guitar; larry campbell, mandolin, fiddle; byron
isaacs, upright bass and bass; Levon Helm, drums;
Amy Helm, vocals; Fiona McBain, vocals; Joan Osborne,
vocal; Chris Bruce, guitar; Craig Street, guitar;
Colby Rose Street, vocals
TRACK LIST:
1. Smiling Face Hiding A Weeping Heart 4:03
2. Close The Door 3:41
3. (what’s so funny ‘bout) Peace, Love
and Understanding? 4:14 – Nick Lowe
4. Gasoline Drawers 4:39
5. I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love
With You 3:19 – Hank Williams
6. Bad Moon Rising 2:57 – John Fogerty
7. Three Gray Walls 4:18
8. If I Had A Boat 3:04 – Lyle Lovett
9. Those Memories Of You 2:56
10. I Want You To Want Me 6:03 – Rick Nielsen
(Cheap Trick)
11. Ain’t It Funny What A Fool Will Do 3:59
– Geo. Jones & Johnny Mathis
12. Standing In The Need Of Love 5:19
13. I’ve Just Seen The Rock Of Ages 3:22
14. God Will 2:56 – Lyle Lovett
Like their others the harmonies are tight, again
in a bluesy-gospel way. Of the three releases Simple
Truths highlights the Brothers musically, though
nothin’ short of vocally hair raising terrific.
Some interesting covers on this CD. I think you’ll
dig it, it’s old school melded perfectly with
new school, a sound that’s their own and pleasing
to the ears. There’s not a bad song on the
CD, not outstanding and far from bad – it’s
a good CD.
(4.51)
Ciao’
for now, peace.
Cornbread
Cornbread@stlblues.net
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