Sherman Holmes

One Step Ahead Of The Blues

Nola Blue Records

Sherman Holmes was born in New Jersey and raised in Virginia. A two-time Blues Music Award winner, Sherman launched his musical career in 1959 as a founding member of the Holmes Brothers. The band built a devoted following throughout New York and the tri-state area. I remember seeing them at New York City’s club the Bottom Line when they were an opening act. In 1989, they signed with Rounder Records, a deal that propelled them to international acclaim.

The Holmes Brothers later joined the Alligator Records roster for five more releases and, in 2014, received a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor for traditional artists. Following the deaths of bandmates Willie “Popsy” Dixon and Wendell Holmes, both in 2015, Sherman channeled his grief into new work, forming the Sherman Holmes Project and releasing 2017’s The Richmond Sessions. Now Sherman returns with a fresh collection including two previously unrecorded Wendell Holmes originals and a new approach to the Holmes Brothers’ “I’m So Lonely” that emerged magically in the first take.

Blues Music Award–winning producer Andreas Werner first met the Holmes Brothers at a concert in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2004. Years later, he reconnected with Sherman at the 2019 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, reigniting a friendship and creative partnership that has only deepened since. Drawn to Sherman’s musical history, personal depth, and philosophy, Werner assembled a stellar team of collaborators to help capture the essence of the man and bring his artistry to new audiences. Included were Grammy-nominated songwriter Mark Narmore, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Funky Chester Rhythm Section, and the Honorary Holmes Sisters.

The Funky Chester Rhythm Section features guitarist Werner; keyboardist Harvey Thompson Jr.; bassist Paul Ossola; and drummer/percussionist Lynn Williams. The Muscle Shoals Horns include Charlie Rose, trombone and horn arrangements; Steve Herman, trumpet and flugelhorn; Tom McGinley, baritone sax; and Jim Hoke, tenor sax. The Blind Boys of Alabama are Jimmy Carter, Ricky McKinnie, Joey Williams, Rev. Julius Love, and Jackie Banks. The Honorary Holmes Sisters feature Catherine Russell, Joan Osborne, Ada Dyer, and Amy Helm.

On the opening track, “One Step Ahead of the Blues,” written by Jon Tiven and Werner, Sherman sings, “Trouble, trouble, we’ve all got trouble, from the top of our heads to the toes of our shoes. Moving, moving, moving, keep me moving, I stay one step ahead of the blues…keep on moving, got nothing to loose, keep on moving, I stay one step ahead of the blues.”

“Your Livin’ Does Your Preachin'” was written by Mark Narmore and Werner, as Sherman chimes, “mama, said son you gonna get your preacher, talk about a big fat church…actions speak louder than words, when your livin’ do your preachin’ every day…when it comes time for the end of this world I’d like to hear the angels sing, but when the preacher starts preachin’, you wouldn’t have to say a thing.”

On “Voices in the Hall,” written by Sherman, he chants, “When I feel, it’s real, the things that burn inside of me, I know, that you show, that life is still my destiny, I’ll be, set free, the world of mystery, the world keeps on burning, time keeps on turning, smoke in the mirror, the signs on the wall, I feel the terror of the voices in the hall.”

“Strike While the Iron Is Hot” is a never-before-released song written by the late Wendell Holmes, as Sherman bursts, “Strike while the iron is hot, get it while the gettin’ is good, I’m ready to make my move, I had to get myself in the groove, seems to me, I may have to force it, maybe I’ve lost it, ready or not, against my life, I’m gonns strike while the iron is hot…for your love, for your kisses…low and behold, truth be told, since you’ve been gone, all alone…ready or not, against my life, I’m gonna strike while the iron is hot.”

On “The Blues Done Got My Soul,” written by Narmore and guitarist Werner, Sherman moans, “The Blues done got my soul, I’m going to get my thrill, keep me running till my old feet fail…can’t borrow and steal…the blues done got my soul, got the blues down deep in my bones, save my soul from getting lost, that’s my lone request, get me to higher ground, got the blues down deep in my bones, the blues done got my soul.”

On the topical “Oh America (Still Standing),” written by Sherman, he wails, “We all see, the pale horse rising, standing there on the winds of time, we all heed the lost man’s warning and we drink the freedom’s wine, time has come, dance together, the winds of war try to wreck our way, and don’t stop, full of surprises…Oh America still standing, still standing, Oh America, at the break of day, a golden torch to light our way, Oh America, still standing, still standing…if you join the legions marching…Oh America, still standing, still standing.”

“One More Go ‘Round” was written by Mickey Buckins and Werner, as Sherman howls, “Up and down this old highway, bring the people joy, trying to do it my way, since I was a little boy, mama always told me go out and use your lip, so I sing my songs for anyone who needs to hear a little bit, I got one more go round, go round, to get my message thru, I got one more river, I got more miles to ride, I got more songs in my heart, I want to sing for you, I got one more go round, go round, to get my messgae thru, I still got the fire to do, what I was born to do.”

On “Prophet in Another Land,” written by Werner, Sherman cries out, “Nobody knows, nobody seems to care, nothings certain, but he’s back again, across the seven seas, he’s a man of men, he’s a begger in his home town, a prophet in another land…he is always still standing tall, wondering when his back against the wall, he’s a begger in his hometown, a prophet in another land…he’s a king far from home…an undercover man…a begger in his home town, a prophet in another land.”

“Fair to Midland” is a second never-before-released song written by the late Wendell Holmes, as Sherman belts, “Asked her how you doin’ baby, since I been gone, she asked how I been doin’ since I was gone, she was a misery woman, this house was not a home. Kids known you were gone, but not for how long. Kids asked why mom and dad can’t get along…waiting for you to call, sang the blues, the would and the would nots could not get along…I was blind but I could not see, what you were doin’ to me, one thing baby, I don’t want this to end, won’t you come on back home.”

“I’m So Lonely,” written by Sherman, is a new take on an old song, as Sherman groans, “I’m so Lonely, in my world, not the same, little girl, I’m so lonely, my world is not the same, oh baby…my tears they feel just like rain, I got a bad, bad feeling, my little girl is gone to stay, whoa, pretty baby, she broke my heart in pieces when she turned and walked away…it just might be the wrong time to hold my head up and walk away, whoa baby, I fell down on my knees and begged her to stay, little girl, I’m so lonely, and my world is not the same.”

On the closer, “Change My Heart,” written by Charlie Taylor and Werner, Sherman croons, “Change my heart, change my soul, just change a broken man, and make things whole again…help me walk again, stand up right again, and make me change my heart…and make me whole again. I would change my heart, I’m on my knees at night, Oh lord change my heart.”

The resulting One Step Ahead of the Blues is both a tribute to Sherman’s six-decade career and a testament to the enduring power of his music. The impeccable backing and intimate production by Werner warm the heart. This tasteful collection of beautifully paced songs proves that Sherman Holmes has still got it.

Richard Ludmerer

Subscribe to Our Newsletter