Several years ago your Blues guide became a Holmes Brothers believer. At a festival in Nancy, France, three gentlemen took the stage and dug some of the deepest Blues grooves and sweetest harmonies I have ever heard. We had met the guys earlier when Sherman Holmes' bass died on him. Our bass player gladly lent him his instrument and we got a chance to talk to the guys. It was one of the highlights of our tour that year. Great guys playing great music.
Several years ago your Blues guide became a Holmes Brothers believer. At a festival in Nancy, France, three gentlemen took the stage and dug some of the deepest Blues grooves and sweetest harmonies I have ever heard. We had met the guys earlier when Sherman Holmes' bass died on him. Our bass player gladly lent him his instrument and we got a chance to talk to the guys. It was one of the highlights of our tour that year. Great guys playing great music.
The Holmes Brothers newest CD is their first for Alligator Records. It's a spiritual record that will bring you back to church. The big surprise is that they got groovy pop diva Joan Osborne to produce the project. As I popped in their new CD Speaking in Tongues, I was wondering what kind of influence Joan Osborne would be as their producer. I believe the key to recording great Blues music is to keep the production to a minimum, and the question was, could she capture the pureness of Wendell Holmes (guitar), Sherman Holmes (bass) and Willie "Popsy" Dixon (drums)?
The first two cuts were not a good sign. Starting out with a drum sample intro on the first cut. The sparse trio that sing like birds were blanketed in the vocal mix. New Jerusalem, the third cut, gets it moving but still does not sound like the intimate music the HB's can create.
But, then came I Shall Not Walk Alone and Popsy Dixon!
This is what I was yearning for. The frail, soothing falsetto that is only Popsy. Inspirational would be too light of a word for this version of a Ben Harper song. With an acoustic guitar, Hammond B3, no steady rhythm and an occasional bass note, I was in tears. Who cares about the first three cuts.
This is where the prayer meeting truly starts. Every track after this is the Holmes Brothers. The grooves are deep and real. Each band member is featured and equally excels on their respective cuts. King Jesus Will Roll All Burdens Away and Man of Peace are soul showcases for Wendell's inspired vocals.
The best cover on the record is the slower 6/8 version of the O'Jay's classic Love Train. Popsy's heart-melting vocal rendition will make you think folks have been singing this song in church for a hundred years.
The Holmes Brothers are best when it's just the three of them. (Well, the Hammond I liked, but then again I play one.) They have always been hard to classify, and this record is no different. The songs are spiritual, comfortable and not preachy. American Roots music at it's finest.
I forgive you for the drum samples at the beginning Joan, great job!
