The spine-tingling
harmonies, boundless energy and telepathic musicianship of the Holmes
Brothers — Sherman Holmes, Wendell Holmes, and Popsy Dixon — are all but
unique in the world, mixing Saturday night’s roadhouse with the gospel
harmonies of Sunday’s service.
About their blending of the secular and the sacred, Wendell has said “Jesus
turned water into wine, not wine into water.” Critics seem to agree. USA
Today calls the Holmes Brothers’ vision of American roots music
“masterful and convincing,” while Entertainment Weekly says, “The
Holmes Brothers are juke-joint vets with a brazenly borderless view of
American music.” Their chilling
harmonies resonate with a passion and conviction matched only by their
inspired musicianship and their ability to perform sanctified gospel,
roadhouse blues, deep soul, Americana, country and pure pop — all in one
set.
They’ve recorded with Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Odetta, Phoebe Snow,
Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, Levon Helm and Joan Osborne, and have gigged
all over the world, including for President Clinton. They joined the
Alligator Records family in 2001, and their label debut — the
inspirationally stirring Speaking In Tongues — amazed and delighted
everyone who heard it. Greg Kot of The Chicago Tribune called it a
“joyous, foot-stomping carnival … a gift to the world of music.” The
follow-up, 2004’s Simple Truths, earned even more acclaim. The
Chicago Sun-Times called the album “a breathtaking and heartfelt journey
through gospel-drenched soul, blues, funk and country.” In 2005 they won the
coveted Blues Band of the Year Award from the Memphis-based Blues
Foundation.
Now the Holmes Brothers return with State Of Grace, like Simple
Truths produced by Craig Street (Norah Jones, Chris Whitley, Cassandra
Wilson). Already famous for their ability to transform songs by legendary
writers, 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”). As usual, the versions delivered by the Holmes Brothers must be
heard to be believed.
Wed
May 5 | 8 pm
CSPS | 1103 Third St SE | Cedar Rapids
$17 + fee advance | $21 door
