2017 –M.C. Records
By Phillip Smith;
Aug 26, 2017
The
Richmond Sessions is Sherman Holmes’ first recording since
the 2015 passing of his Holmes Brothers partners: brother, Wendell
Holmes, and Popsy Dixon. This
also stands out as Holmes’ solo debut in a career which has spanned over
half a century. Originally from Christchurch,
Virginia, Holmes enlisted Jon Lohman, Virginia State Folklorist and Director
of the Virginia Folklife Program at the Virginia Foundation for the
Humanities to produce this outstanding record of Americana roots, blues,
and gospel music. The album offers a diverse
blend of traditional and contemporary songs, performed in the classic spirit The
Holmes Brothers are known for.
Leading off the album is a feisty bluegrass performance
of “I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages”. Sharing
the lead vocals with Sherman on this one is Almeta Ingram-Miller
(Ingramettes). Her powerful voice is
sweetened by the accompaniment of five-time EBMA Banjo Player of the Year Sammy
Shelor, and David Van Deventer on fiddle. With a beautiful somber foundation created by
Jacob Eller on upright bass, Holmes’ vocals ring with heartfelt
emotion singing the spiritual “I Want Jesus”.
His cover of Vince Gill’s 1991 hit single “Liza
Jane” is plumb terrific. The swampy slide
guitar and infectious slow-groove makes it a go-to track. Holmes pays homage to fellow Virginians
The Stanley Brother’s with an exquisite rendition of their now-classic 1959
dirge “White Dove”. “Breaking Up
Somebody’s Home” is a tremendous song which Holmes fabulously delivers on a
silver platter full of twang, topped with banjo and strings. The
lovely Joan Osborne makes a guest appearance on the marvelous and soulful
“Dark End of the Street”, which was first recorded by James Carr in 1967. The rich and lush sounds of the B-3, played
by DJ Harrison makes a great backing for Holmes’ and Osborne’s
vocal harmonies. In a superb tight jam, Holmes
and the band close the album with a stellar version of Ben Harper’s “Homeless
Child”. Like a game of three-card monte
with instruments, they swap out harmonica, fiddle, and banjo picking to gospel-style
vocals and a funky driving beat provided by Clarence Walters.
The Richmond Sessions is an excellent record, and I highly recommend it.
The Richmond Sessions is an excellent record, and I highly recommend it.
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