Simple Truths

Holmes Brothers

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 13, 2004)
• Original Release Date: January 14, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alligator Records
• ASIN: B0000YTOV2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,675 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What's still surprising about this trio is their unquenchable thirst for fresh inspiration, which they find here in songs by Bob Marley, Hank Williams, and Townes Van Zandt among others. And, after 25 years together, guitarist Wendell Holmes, his bassist brother Sherman, and drummer Popsy Dixon still have the unique ability to transform their sources, which explains why Williams's "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" crunches with garage-band raunchiness and Marley's "Concrete Jungle" unfolds as a folk-blues spiritual. But original tunes like the Chuck Berry-style stomper "Run Myself Out of Town" and the gentle ballad "We Meet, We Part, We Remember" prove they needn't look further than their own songwriting for great numbers that play to their long-developed strengths: gentle and soaring three-part harmonies, respect for economical grooves, and virtuosic guitar melodies. It all serves to further their distinctive blend of the roadhouse and God's house. --Ted Drozdowski

Product Description

The Holmes Brothers return with SIMPLE TRUTHS, helmed by the same Grammy-winning pair—producer Craig Street (Cassandra Wilson, Chris Whitley) and engineer S. Husky Höskulds (Tom Waits, Joe Henry, Wallflowers)—who were part of the creative team for the 2003 Norah Jones smash Come Away With Me. SIMPLE TRUTHS features 13 striking songs reflecting The Holmes Brothers’ wide-ranging musical palette. The CD brings the group back into the secular world while still holding tight to their rich gospel harmonies and rough-edged vocals. The album features an amazing collection of songs written by some of the greatest songwriters of the last 60 years, including Townes Van Zandt (If I Needed You), Bob Marley (Concrete Jungle), Gillian Welch (Everything Is Free), Willie Nelson (Opportunity To Cry) and Hank Williams (I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry) as well as choice covers of Collective Soul’s Shine and Bruce Channel’s Hey Baby. The Holmes Brothers’ spirited original material (Run ! Myself Out Of Town; We Meet, We Part, We Remember; You Won’t Be Livin’ Here Anymore; and I’m So Lonely) fits perfectly alongside the rest of the songs on this transcendent, boundary-defying release.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the real deal, February 25, 2004

By	Anthony M Fucci "foochman7" (Holtsville, NY United States) - See all my reviews

If you want something that's straight from the heart and pure to the artform then you'll love this latest work from the Holmes Bros.
It's somewhat eclectic, giving you blues, old school R&B and a bit of gospel,they even cover two Hank Williams tunes doing a great job on " So lonesome I could cry "
The music is uncluttered and straight foward supporting the soulful vocals perfectly.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavenly Singin, September 15, 2004

By	John Carroll (Alpharetta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Simple Truths is a stripped down record rooted in Harlem blues with touches of gospel, country and folk music scattered throughout. Great harmonies punctuate these songs especially on the touching We Meet, We Part, We Remember. They turn If i Needed You into a spiritual experience, the kind where you kick back, close your eyes, and drink a budweiser to. Bob Marley's surely nodding his head in approval in heaven when he listens to their soulful version of Concrete Jungle. Popsy Dixon's singin on Gillian Welch's Everything is Free is sublime. Good stuff.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth getting, March 15, 2004

By	Starhead "starhead" (Moss Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I had one other Holmes Bros album which was slick & produced to death & had given up on them in spite of hearing that they are amazing live... I picked this one up & it's different! Raw, engaging & full of inspired covers. Some nice guitar, unique singing & harmonizing... highly recommended. Pick it up.