THE HOLMES BROTHERS
The spine-tingling harmonies, boundless energy and telepathic musicianship of the Holmes Brothers — Sherman Holmes, Wendell Holmes, and Popsy Dixon — are all but unique in the world, mixing Saturday night's roadhouse with the gospel harmonies of Sunday's service.
About their blending of the secular and the sacred, Wendell has said "Jesus turned water into wine, not wine into water." Critics seem to agree. USA Today calls the Holmes Brothers' vision of American roots music "masterful and convincing," while Entertainment Weekly says, "The Holmes Brothers are juke-joint vets with a brazenly borderless view of American music." Their chilling harmonies resonate with a passion and conviction matched only by their inspired musicianship and their ability to perform sanctified gospel, roadhouse blues, deep soul, Americana, country and pure pop — all in one set.
They've recorded with Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Odetta, Phoebe Snow, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, Levon Helm and Joan Osborne, and have gigged all over the world, including for President Clinton. They joined the Alligator Records family in 2001, and their label debut — the inspirationally stirring Speaking In Tongues — amazed and delighted everyone who heard it. Greg Kot of The Chicago Tribune called it a "joyous, foot-stomping carnival … a gift to the world of music." The follow-up, 2004's Simple Truths, earned even more acclaim. The Chicago Sun-Times called the album "a breathtaking and heartfelt journey through gospel-drenched soul, blues, funk and country." In 2005 they won the coveted Blues Band Of The Year Award from the Memphis-based Blues Foundation.
Now the Holmes Brothers return with State Of Grace, like Simple Truths produced by Craig Street (Norah Jones, Chris Whitley, Cassandra Wilson). Already famous for their ability to transform songs by legendary writers, the Holmes Brothers push that tradition even farther on State Of Grace. They expertly reinvent songs by writers as diverse as John Fogerty ("Bad Moon Rising"), Cheap Trick ("I Want You To Want Me"), Hank Williams, Sr. ("I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You"), Nick Lowe ("What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love And Understanding?"), George Jones ("Ain't It Funny What A Fool Will Do") and Lyle Lovett ("God Will, If I Had A Boat"). As usual, the versions delivered by the Holmes Brothers must be heard to be believed.
Tue Mar 11 | 8 pm
CSPS | 1103 Third St SE | Cedar Rapids
$16 advance | $19 day of show

Ticket info
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