Sin and hard times often give rise to the most enduring songs. This is the case with the latest release by the Holmes Brothers, a collection of songs that is both intensely personal (“Fair Weather Friend”) and a distanced, nuanced reflection on the state of the North American economy today (“Edge of the Ledge”). These are songs with a deep moral message, one which is best expressed in the piano-based blues number "Living Well is the Best Revenge," with its chorus reminding listeners that we need to forget the past, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and move on.
Take what you want from these songs, accept or reject the message — that's OK. Although it may help if you connect with the obvious Christian theme of the material, you can enjoy these songs without doing so. There are some songs that are purely secular, well-written blues numbers with no attached agenda. Linking all of them are the sylvan vocals of Wendell and Sherman Holmes and Popsy Dixon, grown stronger through more than 30 years of performing together. You can't beat that kind of familiarity.
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