Customer Reviews

Speaking in Tongues

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For more than 10 years the rhythmic bass of Sherman Holmes, the driving guitar of Wendell Holmes, the drums of Popsy Dixon and the group's soaring vocals have consistently pushed the envelope of what it means to have soul. On this newest CD, the group has now managed to show us what it means to be spirit filled. Like 1992's "Jubilation", the group offers up its trademark combination of traditional gospel, blues, and juke-joint funk and in the process has managed to re-define the meaning of the word "sanctified" providing an example of what Christian Music really could be if it wasn't so afraid of its own humanity.

As with past disks, the group mixes up a potent stew of the original, the traditional, and the contemporary with an infectious energy that never ceases. On this disk, the four original songs written by Sherman and Wendell Holmes have the feel of old time gospel and sit solidly beside traditional favorites like "Thank you Jesus" and "Farther Along". Also included are songs by Ben Harper and Bob Dylan. Harper's "I Shall Not Walk Alone" is presented as a soulful ballad of comfort that tenderly offers up the hope of salvation. Bob Dylan's "Man of Peace" with its tambourine and organ takes you into a Sunday Afternoon gospel tent-revival and the trio's soul-drenched version of the 60's soul anthem "Soul Train" with its slyly sensual vocals is worth the price of the whole CD.

The Holmes Brother's interplay of Pentecostal gospel, funk, blues, and soul takes the listener on an uplifting journey through southern churches and the revival tent providing us with a glimpse of Americana along the way. If this disk fails to move both your body and your soul and bring you closer to your maker then it is only because you have no pulse. For both the believer and the non-believer the music of the Holmes Brothers can be summed up in a single word: Amen.

I heard about the Holmes Brothers and their CD "Speaking in Tongues" on Public Radio and I ordered the CD that day. Some of the songs are new twists on old songs, some are great new songs. Every cut is wonderful. This morning, at 1:00 AM, I realized how absolutely incredible it is. Any music that is able to make me dance while I am refinishing floors is miracle music. Any music that I am able to listen to over and over for two hours and still want to hear more is powerful. "Speaking in Tongues" is one of the most positive CDs I have ever owned. If you like blues, if you like gospel, if you like to dance, if you wished you liked to dance, if you wish you had a reason to dance order "Speaking in Tongues" today.

I read a brief review for this album in US News or Newsweek and decided to give it a listen at the store. About 10 minutes later I was home listening to it over and over again.

I am not into gospel or Christian music, but I love the blues and man this is great blues. I guess if you are a fan of Christian/gospel music you will love this too. But as a blues fan...wow this album really rocks.

These guys can sing and these guys can play.

In a time of scripted bands, singing with the aid of computers it is quite refreshing to here some good old fashion blues, rock, and funk.

This is a great album!

American roots music doesn't get deeper or more powerful. Old friend Joan Osborne produced the Holmes Brothers, plus contributes gospel style backing vocals and liner notes. The result is a masterpiece of heartfelt, shake the rafters, spiritually based soul music. Great songs, top flight instrumetal work, and vocals that live and breath and even moved me to tears.

I heard about the Holmes Brothers and their CD "Speaking in Tongues" on Public Radio and I ordered the CD that day. Some of the songs are new twists on old songs, some are great new songs. Every cut is wonderful. This morning, at 1:00 AM, I realized how absolutely incredible it is. Any music that is able to make me dance while I am refinishing floors is miracle music. Any music that I am able to listen to over and over for two hours and still want to hear more is powerful. "Speaking in Tongues" is one of the most positive CDs I have ever owned. If you like blues, if you like gospel, if you like to dance, if you wished you liked to dance, if you wish you had a reason to dance order "Speaking in Tongues" today.

The Holmes Brothers will make your feet move and force you into their way of grooving. "Speaking in Tongues" is another fine set that showcases their ability to lay down some mean gospel-tinged music. Whether infusing new life into Dylan's call out of Satan in Man of Peace or churning through both original and traditional tracks, this trio proves they have the chops. (Ben Harper beware: these guys have stamped their names all over their versions of your Homeless Child and I Want to Be Ready.)

Wendell Holmes plays out front on keyboards and guitars, adding flourishes and twists and grace to the tunes. His brother Sherman on bass and "Popsy" Dixon on drums offer counterpoint and power and nuance. This concoction may be gospel-funk at heart, but the blues and rock are part of the mixture also.

The soulful, smoky vocals soar over the music, and each principal takes turns on the mike. The backing vocals work of the Precious Three (Joan Osborne, Catherine Russell, and Maydie Miles) deserves more than a nod, and when all six lift their voices, it's enough to send shivers down the spine of any heathen.

When you listen to this music, the honesty and humility of hard-working, talented musicians shines through. There is no ego burnishing or posturing that mars way too much of what passes for music. Go now and get this CD. Play it for your friends and your enemies, too. They will thank you.

Truly great music has the ability to take on new dimensions and reveal its multi-facets over time and in relation to new events and moods. Take another listen to this disc with the tragic events of the last several months in mind. The themes of trial, loneliness, rebirth and renewal resonate even more deeply and movingly now than when "Speaking in Tounges" was first released. My original review below still holds, but only begins to scratch the surface of how enduring and powerful this music is.

One of American music's underappreciated treasures are back with another stirring effort. The Holmes Brothers have throughout their career been able to successfully synthesize and remake a myraid of American musical styles--from gutbucket blues to country to gospel to pop. They've always been about the spiritual in music, either explcitly or implicitly. On this spiritually themed disc they've both thickened their sound a hair and taken on the task of making a statement about just what a "contemporary" religous record is. From covers of Dylan, Ben Harper and Gamble and Huff to vivid reimagings of Sister Rosetta Tharpe to memorable original tunes, this disc is all about the most welcoming and expansive of religous impulses. You'll definately feel at home in the Holmes Brother's church. It's all moving, urgent American music.

The Holmes Brothers are for lovers of the blues, of gospel, or just of melodic and wonderful singing. I believe this is the first gospel CD that I own. Its strong blues influence and its upbeat music (and words) should make this CD a valuable addition to anyone's collection. Enjoy!

Good Gospel music such as this one, we could understand and relate to their songs and music they sound real

I recently ordered this cd from anothwer vendor , but it never got here.I recieved a timely refund and this vendor delivered the goods in prompt fashion, at a resonable price.I will shop here again, and often.