The
Holmes Brothers have always had an eclectic style. Wendell, the
guitar player and raspy-voiced singer, once told me that so many
hours touring in the van acquainted them with all kinds of music. I
can just hear them, all three singing along to whatever they happen
upon on the radio, trying it out later live and then in the studio
with their own gospel spin.
That's what their recent release, January's State of Grace, is all about. Nearly all the cuts here are baptized in the secular gospel branch of the country-soul-R&B-blues-rock river that runs through the Holmes Brothers sound. And "secular" is a key word. Most of the 14 songs are tales of love gone bad, giving the title an ironic twist.
It will be interesting to see how the trio of Wendell and Sherman Holmes (bass and vocals) and Popsy Dixon (drums and vocals) handles the new material when they appear at the Redstone Room in Davenport on Saturday, August 4, especially since every song on this CD includes accompaniment from ranks outside the three. Every time I've seen them, the Holmes Brothers have put on an engaging and high-intensity show with a full sound for a three-piece band, but there are a number of songs on State of Grace that I can't imagine them performing live without an organ or pedal steel - or guest vocalists.
In particular among a handful of players and backup singers, former Dylan sideman Larry Campbell provides much of the country-flavor instrumentation that marks State of Grace, and Ollabelle's Glenn Patscha plays piano and organ. Compared to the Holmes Brothers' two previous releases on Alligator - Speaking in Tongues, which is more overtly gospel, and the rock-based Simple Truths - State of Grace is more diverse in tone, and it focuses on the vocals, especially three-part harmonies from the Brothers and appearances by Rosanne Cash, Joan Osborne, and Levon Helm.
The originals are notable - I had these tunes going through my head after only one listen. The opener, "Smiling Face Hiding a Weeping Heart," is up-tempo despite its content, with Wendell's guitar wailing at the end. "Close the Door," written and sung by Sherman, shows the first hint of their country side, with Campbell providing mandolin. Wendell's "Gasoline Drawers" could be taken from the Delbert McClinton playbook. And the bluesy "Standing in the Need of Love" is distinguished by its gospel edge both instrumentally and vocally.
As
on their other two Alligator releases, the Homes Brothers here take
chances with what they cover, but some risks play out better than
others. Of the five most familiar songs that they cover, two are
near-misses in that they need to be heard more than once just to be
appreciated.
Since one of my all-time favorite songs is Elvis Costello's rendition of Nick Lowe's "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love, & Understanding," it took some adjusting on my part to really get into the Holmes Brothers' countrified, gospel-harmonizing take.
The Holmes' radical reinvention also yields an astounding cover of Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me." This molasses-paced number with haunting vocals and church organ operates on a sublime level at the opposite end of the gravity scale from the pop original. But I'm still not sure I like it.
And John Fogerty's "Bad Moon Rising" works as a Cajun two-step with accordion and fiddle, but it's filler compared with the more ambitious offerings, as are Lyle Lovett's "If I Had a Boat" and "God Will," as nice as they sound.
Other covers work well to convey the Holmes Brothers' melting-pot style. Wendell's duet with Rosanne Cash on Hank Williams' "I Can't Help It If I'm Still in Love with You" sounds like the Carter Family; the delicate treatment provides a new perspective on the song's deep heartache. "Three Gray Walls" is an evocative doo-wop country number (think "Sea of Love" with pedal steel) featuring Popsy's falsetto and Levon on drums. Perhaps my favorite song on this collection is "Those Memories of You," a bluegrass standard done gospel style with Joan Osborne belting it out in response to the Brothers' three-part harmony call.
As with previous Holmes Brothers releases, this is not an album for blues or gospel purists. But for those who appreciate good singing and excellent musicianship, with a few surprises along the way, State of Grace is a keeper.
The Holmes Brothers will perform at the Redstone Room on Saturday, August 4, with Kevin B.F. Burt. Tickets are $12. For more information, visit (http://www.redstoneroom.com).
