As Wendell says about their blend of the secular and the sacred, "Jesus turned water into wine, not wine into water."
USA Today calls The Holmes Brothers' vision of American roots music "masterful and convincing."
Entertainment Weekly says, "The Holmes Brothers are juke-joint vets with a brazenly borderless view of American music. Their chilling harmonies resonate with a passion and conviction matched only by their inspired musicianship and their ability to perform sanctified gospel, low-down roadhouse blues, deep soul, Americana/country and pure popall in one set. They've recorded with Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Odetta, Phoebe Snow, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, Levon Helm and Joan Osborne, and have gigged all over the worldeven performing for President Clinton. They joined the Alligator Records family in 2001, and their label debutthe inspirationally stirring Speaking In Tongues (AL 4877) amazed and delighted everyone who heard it. "
Greg Kot of The Chicago Tribune called it a "joyous, foot-stomping carnival, a gift to the world of music"
. 2004's Simple Truths earned even more acclaim. The Chicago Sun-Times called it, "A breathtaking and heartfelt journey through gospel-drenched soul, blues, funk and country."
They won the coveted Blues Music Award from the Memphis-based Blues Foundation for Band Of The Year in 2005.
Now The Holmes Brothers return with State Of Grace, produced by Craig Street (Norah Jones, Chris Whitley, Cassandra Wilson) who also produced Simple Truths. Noted for their ability to transform songs by legendary writers from The Beatles to Tom Waits to Bob Marley, The Holmes Brothers push that tradition even farther on STATE OF GRACE. They expertly reinvent songs by writers as diverse as John Fogerty (Bad Moon Rising), Cheap Trick (I Want You To Want Me), Hank Williams, Sr. (I Cant Help It If Im Still In Love With You), Nick Lowe (What's So Funny ' Bout Peace, Love And Understanding?)
For the first time, several of The Holmes Brothers star friends add talents to the sessions. Levon Helm, drummer/vocalist from The Band, joined by his daughter Amy Helm, makes his first vocal recording since recovering from throat cancer with a heartfelt lead on I've Just Seen The Rock Of Ages. On the Hank Williams classic I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You, Wendell trades verses with Rosanne Cash in a mesmerizing performance. And old friend Joan Osborne (who has been touring as a vocalist with The Dead and Phil Lesh & Friends) steps out on a bluesy, storefront church version of Those Memories Of You. The Holmes Brothers interplay of their voices with their guests is simple, musical magic.
As incredible as they are as interpreters (OffBeat calls them "the best interpretive group working today"), The Holmes Brothers are equally talented songwriters. Exceptional originals Gasoline Drawers, Smiling Face Hiding A Weeping Heart, Close The Door and Standing In The Need Of Love showcase the same true-life stories, depth of feeling, heartbreak and humor found in the timeless songs they choose to cover. With one foot firmly planted in the secular world, The Holmes Brothers layer their songs with rich gospel harmonies and alternately rough-edged and tender vocals, producing what is undoubtedly their richest and most fully realized album.
Rooted in blues and gospel, The Holmes Brothers' sound is all their own. The rhythmic foundation laid down by Sherman's bass playing and Popsy's drumming perfectly compliment Wendell's hard-driving guitar solos. But even more gripping than their instrumental prowess is their amazing three-part harmony singing, mixing 's gruff and gravelly vocals with Popsy's soaring falsetto and Sherman's rich baritone creating a multi-layered and ornately textured sound, bringing the soul of gospel music into everything they perform. With their deeply soulful singing, spine-tingling harmonies and unsurpassed musicianship, The Holmes Brothers amaze audiences and leave them in a state of utter joy and jaw-dropping disbelief. Billboard declares, "It seems like The Holmes Brothers get more assured and exciting with each passing year. The Holmes Brothers remain a musical force unto themselves" Their non-stop touring brings this force from concert halls to roadhouse bars, leaving their fervent fans in a state of ecstatic joy.
Weblinks
The Holmes Brothers website is: www.theholmesbrothers.com
TBS's website is: www.mta.ca/tbs
Reviews of the Holmes Brothers' music can be found at: www.allmusic.com
Miscellaneosu
For our out of town friends, you can book your tickets with a visa card by calling Duckys at 536-1344.
We have a wonderful lineup for you in the winter, and anticipate bringing you some great music with the help we will receive from the Cultural Capital Fund, here are some of the details again:
On Friday, March 7 (not March 8), we have our favourite Maritime bluesman Garrett Mason and his band at George's Roadhouse. This year, Garret is coming later than usual for his annual roof and foundation check of the Roadhouse'but we expect nothing less than a thorough check-up of the Blues from one of its finest practitioners in Canada. For more on Garrett, please visit: www.garrettmason.com.
On Friday, April 11, we have one of living legends of the Chicago Blues scene, Jimmy Burns and his band performing at George's Roadhouse. Jimmy has played it all: blues, funk, soul, R&B, and played them with verve and grit for over 50 years. Watch him with his veteran Chicago band as he tours the Maritimes in support of his third release on Delmark Records. For more on Jimmy, please see: http://www.jimmyburnsband.com/
As usual, if you prefer not to receive these emails in the future (though we hope this is not the case) please respond to this email with the word unsubscribe
Hope to see you at the shows.
The TBS Team
Tantramarsh Blues Society
C/O Deparment of Philosophy
Mount Allison University
Sackville, NB E4L 1G9
Phone: (506) 536 9000
Fax: (506) 364 2645
e-mail: tbs@mta.ca
