Customer Reviews

State of Grace

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Drawing from a variety of musical styles including Southern-fried blues, Stax soul, zydeco, gospel and country the Holmes Brothers provide a substantial, rib-sticking musical delight. With help from friends like Roseann Cash (duetting on Hank Williams' "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) with it's heartbreaking mandolin), with Levon Helms of The Band on "I've Just Seen The Rock Of Ages" and with Joan Osborne on the soulful "Those Memories", the Holmes Brothers do it right whether a straight-forward rendering of Lyle Lovett's "If I Had A Boat" or converting the swamp funk of Creedence's "Bad Moon Rising" into a Cajun burner or completely making over Nick Lowe's "(What's So Funny About) Peace, Love And Understanding" turning it from a raver (Elvis Costello's version) into a stately prayer, a mood which also ends the CD with the moving "God Will."

Taste this and you'll be back soon for seconds and thirds.

On this latest disc the Holmes Brothers grow both increasingly daring and assured as interpreters. Their own tunes too hold up real well against their heartfelt, original reimagining of other's great songs on this effort. Each of them into their 60's now, the soul just keeps getting deeper and the harmonies sweeter. It's hard for me to overstate what a sublime turn their " I Want You to Want Me" represents. I can't imagine Rick Nielsen knew his song had this kind of moving spiritual dimension to it. Similarly the Holmes' take on Nick Lowe's "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding" is both a timely commentary and a compelling mirror image to Elvis Costello's angry young man approach to the lyric years ago. In their hands, its a wistful plea from men who've seen our better natures denied again and again. As opposed to many discs where guest stars contributions feel tacked on or uninspired--here each one is a bit of a triumph. Joan Osbourne's compelling and spirited contribution on the rollicking Those Memories of You is just plain old funky. Levon Helm's transporting of Rock of Ages to some haunting raw Appalachin place is incredibly moving and Rosanne Cash's immaculate, disciplined and perfectly complimentary duet with Wendell Holmes on I Can't Help It If I'm Still in Love With You lets you hear that familiar song anew. For my money, among their own tunes, the sly and slinky Gasoline Drawers elicits a smile each time I've listened to it. A CD full of highlights from a band that's delivered a career full of them as well.

I am a judge for the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge each year. I often wonder if a solo/duo/band will come along that will thrill me. It's only happened to me once...if young artist want to get into blues and be successful they should listen to this cd over and over and over.

The Holmes Brothers lend their harmony packed vocals and musicianship on each and every cut of this wonderful cd. The reviews of "I Want You to Want Me" above are so true. I personal favorite-favorites (because they are all my favorites i have to kick it up a notch :-) .....as I was saying, my personal favorite-favorites are "Three Gray Walls" with it's wonderful lilting melodies, "Gasoline Drawers" is funny and poignant simultaneously and the rollicking "Those Memories of You" with Joan Osborne blowing as only she can. She is one of the few female artist who doesn't change her style when singing soul, blues and or jazz. she interprets the songs with her own voice as opposed to changing her voice to be more "soulful" or "bluesy"...back to the song :-) Those Memories of You range from gospel to honky tonk and country and it all works within the span of it's 3 minute duration....the cd is phenomenal!!!!

The more you listen to this CD the more you'll hear. It's great music with fabulous attitude. The lyrics are starting to bubble over into the way I talk. One of my favorite songs has the line: "I can't stand your conversation." I tried this out on my husband the other day. Fortunately we both laughed.

The Holmes Brothers have long mined blues classics to reintepret, but on their latest they are more adventurous, reaching out to cover Nick Lowe's "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?", John Fogerty's "Bad Moon Rising," and Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me." With the Lowe and Cheap Trick tunes, they turn angry, forceful tunes by young men into stately pleas by wiser heads. It's stunning how emotionally changed the songs are with their slow-burning interpretations. Meanwhile, Fogerty's warning is transformed into a raucous two-step.

The originals by Wendell, particularly "Smiling Face Hiding A Weeping Heart" stand up well alongside the classics. Appearances by friends like Rosanne Cash, Joan Osbourne, and Levon Helm are genuine contributions, not just star turns. It's a joy to listen to these three guys having this much fun.

A very pleasing collection of bluesy folk, soul, americana and country tunes, both upbeat and ballad styles. Fine harmonies and "from the heart" solos by veteran voices which compliment the musical selections. The more you listen the more you are pulled into these tunes. It sounds like the fellas had fun singing and playing. The smiling faces on the CD sleeve belie this feeling. After listening one is certainly happy all over.

Here they have done it again. Another CD that showcases their ability to come through with an amazing range of simple grooves and styles--always completely recognizable as the Holmes Brothers within the first few bars. They have the most natural blend of blues, gospel, and country-western influences of any group recording today. I think this is my favorite recording of theirs since the extremely gospel-leaning Jubilation--the latter a stunning CD, and by far their best album that I know of. Even so, State of Grace has the tasteful guitar work; the singular, dramatic vocals; and the beguiling reinvention of familiar songs as new-sounding blues or gospel ballads. And who can compete with Popsy's Dixon's vocals? Surprisingly, to me at least, Rolling Stone only gave this 3 and a half stars. This CD stands far, far above many really good blues CDs. Not one of these songs fails to stand out as something full of genuine style.

On their first CD in three years, New York City's Holmes Brothers sound similar in style, format, and content to their prior Alligator release Simple Truths. This is due, in part, to Craig Street's encore role as producer. Other similarities include the same rough and gritty sound (on some songs) as well as delving into the songbook of Hank Williams. However, this time an extra helping of Americana is thrown into the mix. As well, there is a country feel in the music due to four covers by country & western songwriters.

You'll hear rootsy sounds, bluesy shuffles, redemptive fulfilling lullabies, and acoustic stomps. Topics addressed via intense lyrics include how couples can drift apart after spending many years together and being haunted by past loves. The Brothers share lead vocal duties throughout the 55-minute disc. As with their previous releases, the vocal harmonies are touching and renewing. Sherman Holmes (bass) has a deep and firm baritone voice. Wendell Holmes (guitar) has a surly voice, but it is warm and friendly. For me, Popsy Dixon (drums) has the best vocals. They tremble like a stone pillar rocked by a gospel choir on Three Gray Walls. Later, they strike your conscience on God Will.

Smiling Face Hiding A Weeping Heart is a would have, should have, could have, tale of woe about a bridge that all couples must cross sooner or later. On Close The Door, the vocals harmonize as much as the acoustic strings. It's an amazing combination of the animate and inanimate being in accord. With Glenn Patscha's accordion and Larry Campbell's fiddle, Creedance Clearwater Revival's classic Bad Moon Rising is transformed into a foot-pounding piece of Americana. Patscha also contributes inspiring piano, organ, guitar, and songwriting. He is the secret ingredient behind the album. The Canadian-born artist is a member of Ollabelle - other members of the band contribute backing vocals on the album - and has long been active in the New Orleans music scene. The Holmeses have been preaching about Peace, Love, and Understanding for years. Their completely re-arranged version of the Nick Lowe written Elvis Costello hit is calm, and it could motivate world leaders into action. Another completely reworked hit is Cheap Trick's I Want You To Want Me. The rhythm has been changed to be deeply romantic, respectful, and loving. Catherine Russell - who has previously recorded with the group - adds fiery backing vocals to Gasoline Drawers. On I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You, Rosanne Cash and Wendell perform a lovely vocal duet. Equally as pleasant is Campbell's mandolin. The band's good friend Joan Osborne proves to be an adept lead vocalist on Those Memories Of You. Likewise, Levon Helm shows his vocals are still strong on I've Just Seen The Rock Of Ages.

State Of Grace once again proves The Holmes Brothers to be an American institution. The easily-likable songs and richly-textured vocal harmonies will appeal to fans of many musical styles. This album should show up in the number one spot on several charts.

As a new listener, I decided to give this a spin. It is a smooth, heartfelt recording. It makes me want to check out some of their other recordings.

Rarely does a reinterpretation of a classic, near perfect, pop song rise to greater heights than the original. You shouldn't mess with perfection. Yet, the Holmes Brothers rapturous version of Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me" does just that. It soars. It touches. It moves. If you purchase one album this year make it State of Grace by the Holmes Brothers for this song alone.