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The Holmes Brothers: Feed My Soul

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Alligator Records
Released: 2010.03.02
Time:
 49:45
Category: Soul
Producer(s): Joan Osborne
Rating:
Media type: CD
Web address: www.theholmesbrothers.com
Appears with:
Purchase date: 2012
Price in €: 1,00





 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Dark Cloud (Holmes) - 2:58
[2] Edge of the Ledge (Holmes) - 3:04
[3] Feed My Soul (Holmes) - 5:05
[4] You're the Kind of Trouble (Kennerley/Wright/Wright) - 3:46
[5] Something Is Missing (Ellison) - 3:13
[6] Living Well Is the Best Revenge (Holmes) - 3:02
[7] I Saw Your Face (Holmes) - 4:47
[8] I Believe You I Think (Holmes) - 3:07
[9] Fair Weather Friend (Holmes) - 4:04
[10] Put My Foot Down (Holmes) - 2:56
[11] I'll Be Back (Lennon/McCartney) - 2:56
[12] Pledging My Love (Robey/Washington) - 3:39
[13] Rounding Third (Holmes) - 3:08
[14] Take Me Away (Holmes) - 3:52

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Sherman Holmes - Bass, Composer, Vocals
Wendell Holmes - Guitar, Piano, Composer, Vocals
Popsy Dixon - Drums, Vocals

Joan Osborne - Percussion, Producer, Background Vocals
Matt Munisteri - Guitar
Catherine Russell - Mandolin, Background Vocals, Cowbell
Glenn Patscha - Piano, Hammond B3, Background Vocals, Keyboards
Andy Breslau - Harmonica
Roman Klun - Tambourine, Mixing, Engineer

Alan Silverman - Mastering
Erick Shelley - Assistant Engineer
Adam Raymonda - Assistant Engineer
Stefan Falke - Photography
Michael Trossman - Logo
Kevin Niemiec - Package Design

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


2010 CD Alligator Records ALCD4933



Feed My Soul is the Holmes Brothers’ fourth album for Alligator Records, and like the trio’s first release for the label, Speaking in Tongues, it was produced by longtime friend Joan Osborne, who also adds background vocals on several cuts. Nothing here is startlingly different than what the Holmes Brothers have been doing all along, which is a good thing, really, because the group’s joyous fusion of gospel, R&B, and soul is remarkably comforting and durable. For Feed My Soul, though, Wendell Holmes, Popsy Dixon, and Sherman Holmes, sparked by Wendell’s recent battle with cancer, seem to have found even deeper wells of compassion and wisdom, and if this album isn’t markedly different than the group’s earlier ones, it feels somehow broader and more resilient, and even more hopeful and determined -- which is saying something, because these guys are all about being positive and keeping on no matter how dark the clouds are. There’s so much to like with this release, from the State-of-the-Union “Edge of the Ledge” to the wry “You’re the Kind of Trouble,” the stately devotion of “Pledging My Love,” and the jaw-dropping re-imagining of the Beatles’ “I’ll Be Back.” Imagine the Band playing with a deep dose of gospel in the veins at a Saturday night dancehall with half an eye on having a whole lot of fun and half an eye on redemption. Call it R&B, soul, or gospel, it doesn’t matter. It resonates deeply.

Steve Leggett - All Music Guide



"...They cover the gamut of real life, and they do so with honesty, pathos, and humor. Utterly uncategorizable except for the honesty and the heart, it's best to simply call Feed My Soul great."

Paste, Andy Whitman (2/17/10)



In 2008, The Holmes Brothers faced a crisis that could have ended the group’s four-decade career. Wendell Holmes, the trio’s guitarist, pianist and vocalist, was diagnosed with bladder cancer.  The popular band halted its busy touring and recording schedule while their brother battled the disease. The good news is that Wendell beat the illness early on and the band has bounced back with a CD that shows them to be at the top of their game. Feed My Soul, in fact, stands as a crowning achievement in the Holmes Brothers’ legacy.

The 14-song album serves up the many fine qualities for which the Holmes Bros. are known, in generous portions. Wendell, Sherman Holmes and Popsy Dixon variously infuse each number with soul, passion, positivity, faith, humor, energy and spunk. Nine of the CD’s songs are originals, a record number for this band known for its unique cover versions of songs by everyone from Cheap Trick and John Fogerty to Hank Williams. The self-penned tunes reflect the trying ordeal and the triumph-over-tragedy that the close-knit trio went through together. The musical styles range from pure gospel to country, country-blues, soul and R&B.

Produced by songstress Joan Osborne, a longtime fan and collaborator who knows these gentlemen well, she highlights their heavenly three-part harmonies, soulful gospel spirit, lovely melodies, bouncy, upbeat rhythms, clever lyrics and catchy sing-along choruses.  She and blues/jazz diva Catherine Russell also contribute backup vocals. Unlike the excellent Speaking in Tongues CD, which Osborne also produced, the ladies’ voices remain in the background here, allowing the Holmes clan to shine on their own.  Russell also plays a well-placed mandolin on one tune.  The addition of Glenn Patscha on Hammond B-3, Wurlitzer piano and keyboards was a brilliant move. The versatile player helps set the tone and moves the music along whether the song calls for a swirling B-3 gospel flourish, a honky tonk piano, or a funky organ solo.

The gospel flavored “Dark Cloud” opens Feed My Soul with a socio-political message that asks U.S. citizens: “Won’t you tell me, tell me, tell me, where you stand?”  The current events theme continues on “Edge of the Ledge,” set to impossibly bouncy and joyous music which contrasts with the somber lyrics of the chorus: “Standing on my head at the edge of the ledge/ Tryin’ to figure out how to keep my family fed/I lost my job, they even repossessed my bed/Standing on my head at the edge of the ledge.”

The title track is the sincerest of love songs, a warm, soulful ballad written by Wendell, who lets us know that it was the love of his life who helped pull him through his crisis. “You forgave me, baby, when I needed forgiving/You gave me the strength to keep right on living.”  The harmonizing between the brothers and the ladies is subtle and sublime.

The pattern of song selections alternates with one romantic ballad followed by an upbeat, catchy-as-hell, toe-tapper. “You’re the Kind of Trouble (I can get in to),”  “Living Well is the Best Revenge,”   “Without Love in Your Life,” “I Believe You I Think ”  and “Rounding Third” fall into the latter category and will have you singing along with the three-part harmonies.

Bassist Sherman Holmes contributes “I Saw Your Face,” a dreamy love ballad with a gorgeous melody and poetic lyrics. His soothing vocals and hushed tones lend intimacy to the tender song.

Wendell takes us to church to sing about a “Fair Weather Friend” who abandoned him during his cancer battle. His hurt and disappointment is palpable, but the gospel music is uplifting.  The song is followed by a positive message surrounding a barroom drama in the rootsy rock of “Put My Foot Down” (so you can hold your head up).

The Fab Four would approve of Popsy’s solo turn on “I’ll Be Back.” Whereas the Beatles version featured three-part harmonies, there are none on this version. Instead, the drummer’s voice swoops and soars, hitting impossibly high notes on the whooo-hoos.  Another cover is next, a glorious version of the Johnny Ace hit “Pledging My Love”; it’s a classic that seems tailor-made for the Holmes’ rich harmonies.

Feed My Soul closes on a reverent note with the gospel prayer “Take Me Away.” The trio’s heavenly harmonies soar while Popsy’s remarkable falsetto notes hit the top of the steeple. Patscha’s B-3 swells and Wendell’s sanctified piano help keep the faith.

The term Americana has become a vague catch-all-genre. If you want to know what real American roots music sounds like, you can go right to the source with the Holmes Brothers. From uplifting gospel harmonies, to down home country, to sweet soul and rhythmic R&B along with their Holmes-ified take on pop and rock, Wendell, Sherman and Popsy were there when these genres first blossomed from American soil.  Enjoy the Holmes’ musical harvest; it will feed your soul with the finest of comfort food.

Linda Cain - www.chicagobluesguide.com
 

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