Sherman Holmes
One Step Ahead Of The Blues
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © Oct 2026
Over sixty-five years since he first launched his career, eighty-seven-year-old Sherman Holmes - a founding member of The Holmes Brothers - is still at it. His latest release, which is dedicated to late bandmates Wendell Holmes and Popsy Dixon, is titled One Step Ahead Of The Blues. The album's eleven blues, Gospel and R&B tracks include a fresh collection of songs mixed in with two previously unrecorded Wendell Holmes originals, and a new take on a Holmes Brothers classic. With some of the tracks written by Sherman, some by Wendell, and others by current band members, the album contains all original music.
Making that music are: Sherman Holmes on the vocals, of course; The Funky Rhythm Section, which include: Paul Ossola on electric and upright bass, Lynn Williams on drums and percussion, Harvey Thompson Jr. on piano, Wurlitzer, and Hammond B3 organ, and Andreas Werner - the albums producer - on electric and acoustic guitars & harmony vocals; The Honorary Holmes Sisters (Catherine Russell, Joan Osborne, Ada Dyer, and Amy Helm) on vocals; The Blind Boys Of Alabama (Jimmy Carter, Ricky McKinnie, Joey Williams, Rev. Julius Love and Jackie Banks) on vocals; and The Muscle Shoals Horns with Charles Rose on trombone and horn arrangements, Steve Herman on trumpet and Flugelhorn, Tom McGinley on baritone sax, and Jim Hoke on tenor sax.
On the disc's very soulful opening and title track, lyrics like "Moving, moving, down the road I keep on moving" are Sherman's explanation as to how to keep away from trouble and stay "One Step Ahead Of The Blues". Musically it features a robust rhythm led by strong drumming from Lynn, smooth guitar leads from Andreas, and the always impressive horn blowin' from those Muscle Shoals guys.
On "Your Livin' Does Your Preachin'", Sherman shares some very good advice that was given to him by his mother. Simply said, it boils down to it's not what you say, it's what you do that matters.....
'"Cause your livin' does your preachin'
Your sermon’s how you live every day
Is it a good or bad lesson you’re teachin’
‘Cause Your livin', your livin’ does your preachin'".Led by Rev. Julius Love doin' some preachin' of his own, this one features the The Blind Boys Of Alabama on harmony vocals, and Harvey driving us straight to church with the Hammond organ. Everything about this one screams 'song of the year'.
If there were ever a song title that most of us in the blues community could agree with, it's "The Blues Done Got My Soul". From my point of view, it nailed it. As Sherman so soulfully and truthfully sings, "Got the blues way down deep in my bones".
One of the most beautiful, inspirational, and truthful tracks on the disc is Sherman's own "Oh America (Still Standing)". As the powerful and very real lyrics say....
"Time has come to stand together
The winds of war try to breach our walls
Pandora’s box is full of surprises
A stronger faith will break our fall
Oh America, still standing, still standing
Standing strong at the break of day, a golden torch to light our way
Oh America, still standing, still standing
Standing there at the break of day, a golden torch to light our way."
This one features The Honorary Holmes Sisters on harmony and background vocals and together with Sherman, this is one heck of a masterfully sung song.
"Fair To Midland", one of the two previously unreleased Wendell Holmes compositions, are the words Sherman uses to describe how he feels since his woman's been gone. It's a melancholic track on which he laments over his lost love. Wearing his heart on his sleave, lyrics like these clearly convey his pain:
"You ask me how I’m doin’, baby
How am I doin’ since you been gone
I’m doin’ fair to midland, woman
Hey…hey, this house is not a home".....
"The kids all ask about you, baby
They know that you’re gone but they don’t know for how long
Sometimes they stop and ask me, baby
Why can’t mom and dad get along"......
"Stay up at night, waiting for you to call
Four hours later, baby, I’ve heard nothing at all
Been tryin’ the blues, I been pacin’ the floor
Oh baby, I’ve been wishing, baby, for a knock at the door".....
Perhaps the most compelling line is one one that professes his hopefulness:
"I’m cautiously optimistic
Hey…hey, that you were come on back home".
Musically, with the band in a solemn rhythm groove behind him, Andreas puts on a masterful acoustic guitar performance.
"I'm So Lonely" is an updated version of a song The Holmes Brothers did back in 2004. Lyrically, it could very well have been the prelude to 'Fair To Midland'...
"Gotta bad feelin'
You know my girl she’s got to stay
Gotta bad bad feelin'
My little girl shes got to stay
And woah hey lady
She broke my heart in pieces
When she turned and walked away"
It features Sherman, once again, painfully and emotionally singing his heart out and Harvey putting on a magical and delicate performance on the piano.
Before "Change My Heart" comes on, stop whatever it is you're doing, find yourself a comfortable and relaxing setting, sit back and close your eyes, and allow yourself to be entranced......then hit replay a dozen or so times. Yeah! This one is that good.
Other tracks on what will surely be a well nominated album come next year's various awards ceremonies include: "Voice In The Hall"; "Strike While The Iron Is Hot"; "One More Go 'Round"; and "Prophet In Another Land".
For more information about Sherman Holmes, check him out at - www.shermanholmes.com. As usual, whomever you contact, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.
