State of Grace

The Holmes Brothers draw from blues, country, and soul, but all their music has a gospel feel, due mainly to the timbre and sincerity of their rich, three-part harmonies and their inspired song arrangements. For proof, listen to how they turn Cheap Trick’s power pop gem, “I Want You to Want Me,” into a heartfelt and mournful Sunday morning ballad. The three men – Sherman Holmes (bass), Wendell Holmes (guitar) and Popsy Dixon (drums) – also stamp their singular sound on other choice covers by Lyle Lovett, Hank Williams, George Jones, and John Fogerty, whose “Bad Moon Rising” gets the authentic Cajun treatment, complete with a two-step accordion shuffle and fiddle accompaniment. But they do more than interpret; the Brothers also write excellent songs of their own and their musicianship is equally adept – Wendell’s guitar solo on their slinky “Gasoline Drawers” is but one of many highlights. Joined by a superb cast of guest musicians that includes Larry Campbell, Levon Helm, Joan Osborne, and Rosanne Cash, State of Grace is another joyously soulful album by these gifted juke-joint veterans.