Reviews

THE HOLMES BROTHERS
Feed My Soul
Alligator/Only Blues Music

New York City's Holmes Brothers' recipe for success over the last 30 years has been a deeply soulful pot pourri of raw blues, rootsy R&B, gospel, funk and country-soul performed with sublime artistry. Produced by longtime collaborator Joan Osborne (of Standing In the Shadows Of Motown fame), Feed My Soul continues on the same path as the band's earlier titles, but gives rise to renewed vigour following guitarist/pianist Wendell Holmes' recovery from cancer with which he was diagnosed since 2007's State Of Grace.

The album's nine self-penned songs by Wendell and bassist brother Sherman in addition to five non-originals, which include the Beatles' 'I'll Be Back' and Johnny Ace's R&B colossus 'Pledging My Love', are inspirationally linked by themes of faith, loyalty and triumph in the face of adversity. Exhilarating harmonies blending Wendell's gravelly voice, Sherman's rich baritone and drumming soul brother Popsy Dixon's ethereal falsetto, are heightened by backup vocals from Osborne and mandolin player Catherine Russell, while Glenn Patscha's Hammond B3 and Wurlitzer piano add colourful dimensions.

The Holmes Brothers always radiate boundless energy in their joyous vocals and incandescent musical interplay, and this CD chronicles another moving chapter in their unique blues catalogue.

Al Hensley