The Holmes Brothers: State of Grace

Label: Alligator
Sound/Style: Blues and soul influenced collision of contemporary and traditional sounds

The Holmes Brothers travel the two-lane highways of American music, both literally and figuratively. The performers preserve the roots of regional styles including rural country, New Orleans-style soul and Texas roadhouse music, creating a rough-edged blend.. They’ve remained on the well-fed fringes of American music for more than thirty years, recording for specialty labels like the Massachusetts imprint Rounder Records and, more recently, Chicago’s blues-based Alligator Records. The group’s move to the Alligator label signals a shift away from their overt gospel influences and towards a broad secular mix. Their latest release, State of Grace, takes a laid-back acoustic approach and features guest appearances from younger admirers of the band, whose members are mostly in their 60s. The band’s interest in contemporary as well as classic repertoire factors into their multi-generational appeal, but the primary attraction is their rootsy authenticity and their command of numerous American styles.