Eldridge Holmes
Album : Deep Southern Soul
Time : 191
Year: 2006
Comments : First-ever complete Eldridge Holmes release features legendary recordings produced by Allen Tousaint and includes the cream of New Orleans musicians (Meters, Neville Bros., Dr. John, and more). Born in New Orleans in 1942, Eldridge Holmes recorded almost exclusively with producer Allen Tousaint from 1962-1972 . Considered by soul music scholars to be one of the greatest southern singers of the genre to come out of New Orleans, Holmes recorded for Alon, Jet Set, Desu, Sansu, Decca, Atco, Brown Sugar, Kansu, and Pama in his ten-year career before succumbing to heart disease in 1998. 1960s New Orleans was full of incredible singers who didn't achieve the fame they deserved outside that city. Eldridge Holmes, one of the most soulful vocalists to record in the Crescent City, is also one of it's most obscure. Between 1962 and 1972 he recorded just over thirty soul and funk sides, many among the best to come out of the city (Funky16Corners). His music encompassed R&B, pop, gospel, country, and more. After 1972 there is no evidence that Holmes ever recorded again before he passed away (Funky16Corners). Eldridge Holmes is long overdue for a proper tribute!