Sherman Holmes Project: The Richmond Sessions

Sherman Holmes' solo debut The Richmond Sessions can't help being a milestone: It's the esteemed singer and bassist's first recording since the passing of his brother and musical partners, Wendell Holmes and Popsy Dixon, both in 2015. But his solo debut, dedicated to the memories of Wendell and Popsy, is no somber affair. The blend of bluegrass, gritty rock & roll and joyful gospel will be familiar from Holmes Brothers days. And with some of his strongest vocals on record, the album shows Sherman is still an artist in his prime. - Produced by Jon Lohman, Virginia State Folklorist and Director of the Virginia Folklife Program at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, The Richmond Sessions draws from Holmes' longstanding Virginia roots. Lohman made the new album a Virginia-style family affair, bringing in guests like the Ingramettes-Richmond's "first family of gospel" of 50 years standing-and instrumentalists like dobro master Rob Ickes, twice nominated for Grammy Awards; and Sammy Shelor, multi-time IBMA banjoist of the year. Another notable guest is long time friend of the Holmes Brothers, Joan Osborne, who duets with Holmes on the Dan Penn classic, "Dark End of the Street."