Simple Truths (album)

Simple Truths is an album by the American musical trio the Holmes Brothers, released in 2004.[2][3] The trio supported the album with a North American tour.[4]

Simple Truths
Studio album by
The Holmes Brothers
Released2004
RecordedSunset Sound Factory
GenreR&B, soul
Length51:00
LabelAlligator[1]
ProducerCraig Street
The Holmes Brothers chronology
Speaking in Tongues
(2001)		 Simple Truths
(2004)		 State of Grace
(2007)

Production

Recorded in four days, the album was produced by Craig Street.[5] Greg Leisz played steel guitar on several tracks; Patrick Warren played pump organ.[6][7] The trio's cover of "Shine" was inspired by the Dolly Parton version.[8] The Holmes Brothers choose their cover versions based on the lyrics of the songs.[9] Four of the album's songs were written by the trio.[10]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Age[7]
AllMusic[11]
Leader-Post[12]
USA Today[13]

Entertainment Weekly wrote that the cover of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" "sizzles in the grease of a fuzz-tone guitar."[14] The Leader-Post concluded that the Holmes Brothers "find the hallowed middle ground between the glory of stately gospel like that of the Blind Boys of Alabama and the rough-and-tumble blues of artists like T-Model Ford."[12] Mother Jones praised the "breathtaking, churchy version" of Townes Van Zandt's "If I Needed You".[15]

The Orlando Sentinel stated that "the music kicks, the singing is a classic mix of gravel and honey, and the material is outstanding."[16] Billboard deemed Simple Truths "another sublime release spotlighting the trio's gospelized harmonizing, punchy instrumental interplay and effervescent eclecticism."[17] USA Today wrote that, "with their born-again harmonies and lissome guitars, veteran blues trio the Holmes Brothers make even Bruce Channel's 'Hey Baby' and Collective Soul's 'Shine' sound as if they were fashioned out of rich Delta loam."[13]

AllMusic opined that "Wendell's 'We Meet, We Part, We Remember' is the greatest pure soul tune recorded thus far in the 21st century."[11]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Run Myself Out of Town" (Lead Vocal: Wendell)Wendell Holmes3:26
2."Shine" (Lead Vocal: Wendell Holmes, with Sherman and Popsy)Ed Roland3:11
3."We Meet, We Part, We Remember" (Lead Vocal: Wendell)Wendell Holmes3:55
4."If I Needed You" (Lead Vocal: Sherman with Popsy)Townes Van Zandt3:39
5."Hey Baby" (Lead Vocal: Sherman)Bruce Channel, Margaret Cobb3:59
6."I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" (Lead Vocal: Wendell)Hank Williams4:49
7."Everything Is Free" (Lead Vocal: Popsy)David Rawlings, Gillian Welch5:06
8."Big Boss Man" (Lead Vocal: Wendell)Luther Dixon, Al Smith2:51
9."Opportunity to Cry" (Lead Vocal: Wendell)Willie Nelson3:35
10."Concrete Jungle" (Lead Vocal: Popsy)Bob Marley5:24
11."You Won't Be Living Here Anymore" (Lead Vocal: Wendell)Wendell Holmes3:07
12."He'll Have to Go" (Lead Vocal: Wendell, Sherman, Popsy)Audrey Allison, Jerry Allison, Joe Allison2:59
13."I'm So Lonely" (Lead Vocal: Sherman)Sherman Holmes4:38

Personnel
  • Sherman Holmes - vocals, bass
  • Popsy Dixon - vocals, drums
  • Wendell Holmes - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano
  • Chris Bruce - acoustic guitar, electric guitar
  • David Piltch - upright bass
  • Patrick Warren - organ
  • Greg Leisz - lap steel guitar, acoustic guitar

References
  1. Gendron, Bob (21 Jan 2005). "The Holmes Brothers' galvanizing crossroads". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 4.
  2. "The Holmes Brothers Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. "Music Review: 'Simple Truths' from the Holmes Brothers". NPR.
  4. Takiff, Jonathan (20 Feb 2004). "Holmes Brothers come into their own with 'Truths'". Features. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 68.
  5. McLennan, Scott (25 Mar 2004). "Holmes Brothers find 'Truths' in basics". Telegram & Gazette. p. C1.
  6. Andrews, Marke (15 Jan 2004). "CD Reviews". Vancouver Sun. p. C17.
  7. Daly, Mike (25 Mar 2004). "Simple Truths". Green Guide. The Age. p. 4.
  8. Durchholz, Daniel (11 Mar 2004). "The Lights Are On, and the Music Is Holmes". Get Out. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 29.
  9. Christiano, Nick (20 Feb 2004). "Wide range for Holmes Bros". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. W21.
  10. Meyer, Marianne (23 Dec 2004). "Live!". The Washington Post. p. T6.
  11. "The Holmes Brothers - Simple Truths Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  12. Matheson, Emmet (14 Feb 2004). "Holmes Brothers shine on new CD". Leader-Post. p. A8.
  13. Mansfield, Brian (13 Jan 2004). "'Truths' is true; 'Stars' burns bright". USA Today. p. D3.
  14. "Simple Truths". EW.com.
  15. Young, Jon (May–Jun 2004). "Simple Truths". Mother Jones. 29 (3): 81.
  16. Fidler, Eric (23 Jan 2004). "It's Simply the Truth". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 13.
  17. Morris, Chris (Jan 10, 2004). "Simple Truths". Billboard. 116 (2): 35.
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