Sherman Holmes — “One Step Ahead of the Blues” — Nola Blue Records
Sherman Holmes is the sole survivor of that fabulous soul, blues and gospel trio, The Holmes Brothers.
He’s also a soul survivor, who, as the title of his magnificent new album so elegantly affirms, is still “One Step Ahead of the Blues.”
Holmes is now 87, and his soulful pipes are rich with the wisdom of his years and the depth of a musical career that began in 1959 when he left Virginia State University for a job playing with singer Jimmy Jones (of “Handy Man” fame) in New York. His younger brother Wendell joined him after completing high school.
The two brothers played in a few bands before forming The Sevilles in 1963. The group lasted three years, and after disbanding, Sherman, Wendell and a fellow Virginian, drummer William “Popsy” Dixon, continued to play in a variety of bands.
In 1979, that trio became the Holmes Brothers, with Sherman playing bass, Wendell on guitar and piano, and Dixon on drums. They all shared the vocals, drawing on the spirit of blues, soul and gospel music. Both brothers, like many blues and soul artists, had sung in their church choir. Their lengthy career was fill with a multitude of honors and much great music.
Following the deaths of bandmates Wendell and Dixon in 2015, Sherman formed The Sherman Holmes Project, releasing “The Richmond Sessions” in 2017. He’s still going strong with “One Step Ahead of the Blues,” a splendid new collection that includes two previously unrecorded Wendell Holmes originals.
Why has Sherman spent his life making music? Sherman was kind enough to answer that question for me after an email request through Nola Blue’s blues maven Sallie Bengtson. His answer illuminates the spirit that drives musical creation:
“From a very young age, music was my outlet to express myself and also a way to do something fun with a group of friends. My brother Wendell and I started playing at our Cousin Herman’s juke joint in Virginia and there was no looking back. After attending college for a while, I hit the road with an r&b group as soon as I could. I recruited Wendell as soon as he was out of school and the rest, as they say, was history! My joy for making music has been fueling me for all my life.”
“One Step” reveals how that powerful his joy remains for making great music. The album shines a light on the distinctive blues, soul, gospel voice and spirit of Sherman Holmes. The stellar production by Andreas Werner surrounds Holmes with musicians and backup singers who create a sound that’s rich and soulful.
Werner’s studio band, the Funky Chester Rhythm Section, includes Lynn Williams on drums, Paul Ossola on bass, Harvey Thompson Jr. on keyboards and Werner on guitar, and the Muscle Shoals Horns add their own punch. The Blind Boys of Alabama bring their gospel-soaked voices to a pair of songs, and the “Honorary Holmes Sisters” — Catherine Russell, Joan Osborne, Ada Dyer and Amy Helm — add their joyous spirit on two tracks.
Those horns punch out the opener, the spirited title track, in what might well be a personal mantra: “I’m movin’, I’m movin’ down the road / I’ll keep on groovin’, trying to stay one step ahead of the blues.” Thompson’s B3 fuels “Your Livin’ Does Your Preachin’,” as The Blind Boys of Alabama elevate Sherman on the gospel-flavored track.
“Voices in the Hall,” the first of the three Sherman Holmes originals, has a personal feel, driven along on a percussive groove.“Strike While the Iron Is Hot” is a Wendell Holmes song, a sturdy blues shuffle, followed by “The Blues Done Got My Soul,” a tribute to the power of the blues.
Sherman’s “Oh America (Still Standing)” has an anthemic feel, lifted by the gorgeous harmonies of the Holmes Sisters. The Sisters return to add a joyous chorus to the uplifting “One More Go ‘Round,” as Sherman jubilantly declares he’s “got more miles to ride.” “Prophet in Another Land” brings back the horns to create a more delicate backdrop for Sherman’s vocals. Sherman moves down-home on Wendell’s stripped-down, deep-blue acoustic gem, “Fair to Midland.”
Sherman turns intensely soulful on his own heartbreaking “I’m So Lonely,” with Thompson’s luxurious blues piano backing.
The spiritual “Change My Heart” closes the session with the Blind Boys of Alabama surrounding Sherman’s emotional plea.
With the magnificent “One Step Ahead of the Blues,” Sherman Holmes takes us on life-affirming journey through the music that “has been fueling me for all my life.” It’s ageless music from a gifted artist that producer Werner calls: “A true blues philosopher.” It’s meant to move that blues philosophy from his soul into yours.
And it’s damn fine music!
Here’s “One Step Ahead of the Blues”:
Tracklist:
One Step Ahead Of The Blues — Jon Tiven & Andreas Werner (2:55)
Your Livin’ Does Your Preachin’ — Mark Narmore & Andreas Werner (2:47)
Voices In The Hall — Sherman Holmes (3:32)
Strike While The Iron Is Hot — Wendell Holmes (3:38)
The Blues Done Got My Soul — Mark Narmore & Andreas Werner (4:15)
Oh America (Still Standing) — Sherman Holmes (4:08)
One More Go ’Round — Mickey Buckins & Andreas Werner (3:43)
Prophet In Another Land — Andreas Werner (2:59)
Fair To Midland — Wendell Holmes (4:39)
I’m So Lonely — Sherman Holmes (4:26)
Change My Heart — Charlie Taylor & Andreas Werner (3:47)
Credits:
Funky Chester Rhythm Section Lynn Williams – drums & percussion Paul Ossola – electric bass & upright bass Harvey Thompson Jr. – piano, Wurlitzer electric piano & Hammond B3 organ Andreas Werner – electric guitar & acoustic guitar, harmony vocals on “One Step Ahead Of The Blues.”
The Honorary Holmes Sisters Catherine Russell, Joan Osborne, Ada Dyer & Amy Helm on “Oh America (Still Standing)” & “One More Go ’Round”
The Blind Boys Of Alabama Jimmy Carter, Ricky McKinnie, Joey Williams, Rev. Julius Love & Jackie Banks on “Change My Heart” & “Your Livin’ Does Your Preachin’”
The Muscle Shoals Horns Charles Rose – trombone & horn arrangements Steve Herrman – trumpet & flugelhorn Tom McGinley – baritone sax Jim Hoke – tenor sax on “One Step Ahead Of The Blues” & “Prophet In Another Land”
Here’s a sample of the Holmes Brothers: