The Holmes Brothers, "Simple Truths"
God made them funky



The Holmes Brothers have been cooking up their unique brew of blues, gospel and funk for more than 20 years, even though I've only heard them for three. 2001 was something of a comeback year for the guys, even they hadn't really gone anywhere. A chance meeting with Joan Osborne after one of their New York City gigs led to a contract with the blues label Alligator, and the Osborne-produced "Speaking in Tongues" was the result.

Not only are Sherman Holmes, Wendell Holmes and Popsy Dixon accomplished musicians, they also sing their asses off. With Joan in the control room, the boys churned out an album's worth of exciting original material, along with an inspired array of cover songs (including songs by Bob Dylan, Ben Harper and the O'Jays).

Three years later, can Sherman, Wendell and Popsy continue the momentum? The answer is a resounding "yes," and then some. "Simple Truths" is arguably stronger than its predecessor, as if the critical success of "Speaking in Tongues" inspired them to push even harder. First of all, the original material is better than ever. Wendell's "We Meet, We Part, We Remember" is easily my favorite song on the album, with an easygoing yet gritty soulfulness that sounds like a R&B chesnut from thirty years ago.

The covers are eclectic and well-chosen: "Shine," the somewhat forgettable mid-nineties alt-rock staple from Collective Soul is given new life as a high-energy gospel stomper. Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" manages to sound gleeful and sad at the same time (Wendell's deft guitar solo is part of the song's charm). They don't exactly break any new ground with their version of Bruce Channel's one-hit-wonder "Hey Baby," but the acoustic guitar-driven arrangement and the emotional singing raise the song to a higher level.

The sound is hard to describe, but its appeal is simple. A little Blind Boys of Alabama, a smattering of Bo Diddley, and just enough Wilson Pickett to give it the right amount of soul. These are all qualities sadly lacking in an era of remixes and Pro Tools. Get back to your roots and get funky with the Holmes Brothers.