The Holmes Brothers - State of Grace
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CD Details
Artist: The Holmes BrothersEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2007-01-16
Music Label: Alligator Records
Soundtracks:
- Smiling Face Hiding A Weeping Heart
- Close The Door
- (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?
- Gasoline Drawers
- I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You (with Rosanne Cash)
- Bad Moon Rising
- Three Gray Walls
- If I Had A Boat
- Those Memories Of You (with Joan Osborne)
- I Want You To Want Me
- Ain't It Funny What A Fool Will Do
- Standing In The Need Of Love
- I've Just Seen The Rock Of Ages (with Levon Helm)
- God Will
Music reviews of State of Grace
Music Review: Proves The Holmes Brothers are an American music institution
Rating: 5 Stars
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.
Description of State of Grace
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 Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You), Nick Lowe (What's So Funny `Bout Peace, Love And Understanding?), George Jones (Ain't It Funny What A Fool Will Do), and Lyle Lovett (God Will, If I Had A Boat), delivering versions that need to be heard to be believed.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 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.
Elvis Costello made Nick Lowe's "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding?" a hard-put question--the Holmes Brothers transform it into a prayer on their spare, passionate tenth album. The disc earns its title by gently framing a clutch of originals and well-chosen covers within their signature blend of old-time gospel singing and roadhouse blues. And zydeco: they transport CCR's "Bad Moon Rising" from the mythic swamps of California songwriter John Fogerty to the authentic bayous of southern Louisiana with an accordion-led arrangement and two-step rhythm. Although these New York City-based juke joint veterans are an electric band, this time out producer Craig Street has surrounded the velvet and grit of their three-part harmonies with acoustic instruments and relaxed tempos. The uncluttered setting magnifies every nuance of their singing, making many of these performances absolutely angelic. And the simpler the better. Their slow, wistful piano-accompanied version of Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me" aches with desire and sadness. Wendell Holmes and Rosanne Cash bare the wounded soul of Hank Williams's "I Can't Help It If I'm Still in Love with You" as they trade verses over acoustic guitars and mandolins. Joan Osborne and Levon Helm contribute guest vocal on other songs, but it's the Brothers' organic union of the spiritual and the corporeal that makes this album so lovely and so thrilling. --Ted Drozdowski
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