This came out in 2004 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Heaven is where you find it.
And on Simple Truths, their seventh album of git-down blues and raise-your-hands gospel, New York City’s Holmes Brothers find it in the strangest places. Like, say, in the groovy jangle of ’60s pop like Hey Baby. Or in the tender mercies of rootsy numbers like Townes Van Zandt’s pleading If I Needed You and Gillian Welch’s hopeful Everything Is Free. Or the timeless country of Hank Sr.’s I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, Jim Reeves’ He’ll Have to Go and Willie Nelson’s Opportunity to Cry. Or in the immortal blues of Big Boss Man. Or even in the rastaman vibrations of Bob Marley’s Concrete Jungle and post-grunge shimmer of Collective Soul’s Shine. Nearly all of which are born again here as inspired and irresistible gospel-blues gems, thanks to the unique combo platter of juke-joint backbeats, funky licks, soulful vocals and baptist-choir harmonies created by guitarist Wendell Holmes, his bassist brother Sherman and drummer Popsy Dixon. The simple truth: One listen is all it takes to make you a believer.
