Sunday, February 18, 2007

Eric Bibb - Blues with a Sunny Disposition

I saw Eric Bibb in concert at Happy Days Visitor Center in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park on Friday (02-16-07). I was overwhelmed with peace and joy as I listened to his music and heard his message, "We are all Connected".

Here are links from Amazon to purchase music by this gifted artist. Most have clips for previewing cuts from the albums. (Sidenote: An album is a collection of things. The term dates me as it is now used with reference to music. Let's bring it back to mean a collection of things ... stamps, photos, MUSIC!)

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Click on the album titles to hear samples of all the songs.

1) Diamond Days, 2007

Editorial Reviews, Amazon.com: His honeyed voice and clean acoustic guitar wrap around songs like a flannel blanket. Bibb's music is filled with hope and uplifting sentiments without being spiritually pedantic. "Forgiveness Is Gold" and "So Glad" tell their stories in the titles alone. Even the lowly shoeshine man can approach his job and life with exuberance ("Dr. Shine") as he helps others improve their lives in his own small way.

2) A Ship Called Love, 2005

Editorial Reviews, Amazon.com: Steeped in various shades of blues, folk, gospel and reggae, A Ship Called Love is a reflective 14-song set that reaches out across boundaries with simple yet straightforward messages of love, unity and peace.

3) Friends, 2004.

On the sample page at Amazon for this album is a clip of "Connected", but there is not enough of the song to tell that the message is: "We are all Connected" ... Eric played this at the Happy Days Visitor Center, and it really spoke to me of peace.


4) Sisters & Brothers, 2004.

Editorial Reviews, Amazon.com: That the trio recorded this stunning, spiritual-minded collaboration in the town of Unity, Maine, is one of life's fortuitous coincidences. Although their voices are dissimilar, Maria Muldaur, Eric Bibb, and Rory Block share roots in folk, gospel, and blues. Brought together, along with a three-piece backing band, in a barn-turned-recording-studio by producer Randy Labbe, the trio cooks up a feisty musical feast that sounds so comfortable and joyous, it seems they were lost soulmates finally joined in song.

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Click on the album titles to hear samples of all the songs.

5) Natural Light, 2003.

He told us that his music was inspired from many areas of his life, including things his mother said to him. This album contains the song, "Champagne Habits", a reprimand from his mom.

6) Painting Signs, 2001.

Contains a band-backed version of Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down, the hand-clapping rockin' gospel blues number ending to the first set at Happy Days Visitor Center.

7) Home to Me, 2000.

Editorial Reviews, Amazon.com: The fourth album from modern bluesman Eric Bibb is a get-out-of-bed delight, the kind of record that makes you feel like being productive. As with his previous efforts, Home to Me contains some strong folk elements, especially on the slower, mellower numbers such as "Singin' in My Heart." The son of folk musician Leon Bibb, the Eric Bibb met and learned from such luminaries as Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger.

8) Spirit & the Blues, 1999.

1 comment:

TedMcDermand said...

I knew you were an artist but had no idea you liked blues. I am a real freak for the blues, I play harp and have for years, My son is a guitarist and we often jam. Do you play or sing?
There are a lot of blues type drawings and poems in my blog, I keep waiting for my son to put his music to one of my poems but he is too much of a purist. I've heard of Eric Bibb but don't have any of his music. I'll bet I find him on Youtube.
Peace, groundhogger