Speaking in Tongues

Simple Truths What's still surprising about this trio is their unquenchable thirst for fresh inspiration, which they find here in songs by Bob Marley, Hank Williams, and Townes Van Zandt among others. And, after 25 years together, guitarist Wendell Holmes, his bassist brother Sherman, and drum...	State of Grace Elvis Costello made Nick Lowe's "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding?" a hard-put question--the Holmes Brothers transform it into a prayer on their spare, passionate tenth album. The disc earns its title by gently framing a clutch of originals and well-chosen c...	Promised Land If their previous releases left any doubt, Promised Land finally cemented one indisputable fact: the Holmes Brothers are the finest rhythm & blues group playing today. With stirring gospel harmonies, gutbucket blues chops, and a dash of country, they've created a sound solely the...	Soul Street Seamlessly blending the harmonies of Southern gospel artists like the Pilgrim Travelers, the down-home boogie rhythms of Jimmy Reed, and the honky-tonk of Hank Williams, the Holmes Brothers create music loaded with grit, integrity, and a serious groove. Soul Street is a little lo...	Righteous: The Essential Collection
In the Spirit With this initial release for the Rounder label, the Holmes Brothers had everyone wondering where they'd been for the past 30 years. The truth is, even after finding their way from the backwoods of Virginia to New York City, it still took decades of dues-paying for Sherman Holmes...	Jubilation	Where It's At	Dirt Farmer Levon Helm's early solo albums, made in the 1970s after the Band initially broke up, were hit-and-miss affairs, but his first solo studio release in 25 years represents a rich return to his Southern roots. With co-production and musical support from daughter Amy (of Ollabelle) a...	The Hard Way When the notoriously private Van Morrison praises a particular musician, that individual merits a closer look. Meet British R&B sensation James Hunter, who counts the Belfast troubadour among his biggest boosters (Morrison also appears on his 1996 debut, ...Believe What I Say). R...

An atheist raving about a fantastic collection of gospel?!?!
Don't pray for me. I don't believe that there is a God but I have no interest in convincing others I am right.However, I am here to tell you that whether you are secular or religious, if you like 'real' blues this album is a must-have. This is one extraordinarily talented group of hard-driving bluesmen passionately driving home their message of faith, hope, and love. These guys are the real deal!

Relentless and Righteous
The Holmes Brothers will make your feet move and force you into their way of grooving. "Speaking in Tongues" is another fine set that showcases their ability to lay down some mean gospel-tinged music. Whether infusing new life into Dylan's call out of Satan in Man of Peace or churning through both original and traditional tracks, this trio proves they have the chops. (Ben Harper beware: these guys have stamped their names all over their versions of your Homeless Child and I Want to Be Ready.) Wendell Holmes plays out front on keyboards and guitars, adding flourishes and twists and grace to the tunes. His brother Sherman on bass and "Popsy" Dixon on drums offer counterpoint and power and nuance. This concoction may be gospel-funk at heart, but the blues and rock are part of the mixture also.The soulful, smoky vocals soar over the music, and each principal takes turns on the mike. The backing vocals work of the Precious Three (Joan Osborne, Catherine Russell, and Maydie Miles) deserves more than a nod, and when all six lift their voices, it's enough to send shivers down the spine of any heathen. When you listen to this music, the honesty and humility of hard-working, talented musicians shines through. There is no ego burnishing or posturing that mars way too much of what passes for music. Go now and get this CD. Play it for your friends and your enemies, too. They will thank you.

Gospel and the blues--a great combination here
The Holmes Brothers are for lovers of the blues, of gospel, or just of melodic and wonderful singing. I believe this is the first gospel CD that I own. Its strong blues influence and its upbeat music (and words) should make this CD a valuable addition to anyone's collection. Enjoy!

Just Not a Holmes Brothers Fan
This is the 2nd Holmes Brothers cd I bought based on the effusive reviews and brief excerpts on Amazon. I have been disappointed twice. My complaint is with the material, it just didn't move me. My recommendation is that you find someplace to listen to this CD in detail before purchasing. You may love it, I didn't.

Finally!!!
I am a Christian. I make no bones or apologies about that. As a matter of fact, I am on staff at a church. But usually, each time I hear a contemporary Christian group or singer hit the scene I usually want to do one of two things: 1) apologize to my more secular and humanistic friends for the drivel we've been listening to for the past 20 years, and, 2) puke. BUT NO LONGER. The Holmes Brothers have given me something that I am incredibly proud of: a music for my faith that isn't afraid to get gritty. For so long we as Believers have been accepting the pap that the major Christian labels have given us that it has almost become a mark of orthodoxy. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Sandi Patti, Michael W., and Steven CC as a prime examples. We dare not speak up and call it marketed much less boring or run the risk of being labeled as unregenerate.Long ago on Saturday Night Live, there was a skit called the "Young Caucasians". For decades that skit has epitomized Christian music for me. It can only be accessable if you are a young white, rich kid who grew up in church. So much for living in the real world filled with degredation and sin. The Holmes Bros. sound like, feel like, smell like, stink like the real world only with a Heavenly message. And isn't that what Christianity is to be all about? I don't know anything about these guys. All I know is that there is finally a Christian group that I can get excited about rather than being embarrassed by.