The Holmes Brothers
Feed My Soul
visit on alligator records
also available on amazon
Sherman and Wendell Holmes and Popsy Dixon have been giving us their soul stirring three part harmonies for years now and this disc shows they have not let up one little bit, they have grown in all ways as artists. “Feed My Soul” is filled with their signature gumbo of Gospel, Soul, Blues, R & B, Rock and Country infused with those soaring 3 part harmonies for which they are known. They grew up in a family that is strong in musical background and the music of the church in Virginia. 8 of the14 songs, just shy of 50 minutes running time, were written or co-written with Wendell and Sherman; and the disc reflects the faith and strength needed to overcome the cancer that had grown in Wendell’s body. It is a disc that reflects the times we live in and the humor with which we have to face what is thrown at us. These guys have been around but they have retained their roots and bring them to the forefront for all of us to marvel at, and the spring in their step.
Joan Osborn, who is an old friend and collaborator, produces “Feed My Soul” and she also does some backing vocals and percussion on the disc.
The musician ship here is stellar and major portion of it comes from the 3 of them. Sherman holds down the bass line and vocals (lead vocal on 3 cuts), Wendell Holmes is guitar and piano and vocals (lead on 9 of the cuts) and Popsy handles the drums and vocals (lead on 3 cuts); the rest of the musicians hold down there end of the bargain and add texture and fill out some of the spaces. Having seen them recently play with just the 3 of them they are solid and exciting as a trio. Don’t let the grey in their hair and beards fool you, they are young in heart and soul and will have you up and dancing as you marvel at their tight harmonies.