Eric Bibb – Live at the Scala Theatre – Stockholm
This is a well-recorded live document by New York City-born traditional blues artist Eric Bibb (whose uncle was the famed jazz pianist John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet). So, the acorn didn’t fall too far from the tree.
Mr. Bibb’s blues are more rooted in the time-honored mode of Taj Mahal & Keb ‘Mo than Muddy Waters or Buddy Guy. There’s a rural feel that’s weaved through this showcase. Each tune that opens this live performance from “Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Fine,” “Silver Spoon,” & “Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie,” are wonderous examples of the warm bluesy feeling of the back roads of America, good feelings of being alive rather than the melancholy down & out “grapes of wrath” trek.
These are 10 delicious tunes that celebrate the artistry of Eric Bibb & his musicians on this lively Live at the Scala Theatre – Stockholm (Drops April 5/Stony Plain-Repute Records/45:00). It includes a blues violin in some tunes that renders many songs creatively original despite their vintage sources. Bibb’s vocals are rich & savoring. The Glen Scott (bass/bgv/drums/keyboards/piano) produced & arranged set boasts a recording that sounds as pristine as a studio recording.
Each song was selected by the Grammy-nominated 5-decade career Bibb (acoustic guitars/vocal) & has a special place in his repertoire. The 72-year-old blues troubadour shows no age through his vocals. His voice is riveting, up close with a tonality that produces a fine vocal personality. This is not easy for some singers – who wind up singing words rather than understanding the lyrics.
The most beautiful of all is without a doubt “River Blues.” I found myself playing it 5 times in a single day. Marvelous. With no embellishments or showboating – just skill, melody & perfection by a professional.
Some tunes are originals, others are classics & many are traditional, all rendered with an Eric Bibb musical imagination. It’s a deep-toned set but where sincerity is needed it’s there, where poignancy is required, it’s applied & where skill is relevant – well, that’s sprinkled throughout the 10 pieces. Recordings seldom get this perfect. Dive in head first the music is fine.
Highlights – “Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Fine,” “Silver Spoon,” “Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie,” “Rosewood,” “River Blues,” “500 Miles” & “Mole In the Ground.”
Musicians – Ollie Linder (drums/acoustic bass), Johan Lindstrom (pedal steel/electric guitar), Esbjorn Hazelius (fiddle/Citern), Christer Lyssarides (electric guitar/Mandola), Greger Andersson (harp), Lamine Cissokho (kora/vocals), Sarah Dawn Finer, Rennie Mirro & Ulrika Bibb (guest artists bgv) with Hanna Helgegren (1st violin), Sarah Cross (2nd violin), Christopher Ohman (viola), Josef Ahlin (cello) & Erik Avinder & David Davidson (string arrangements).
Color image courtesy of Eric’s Facebook. CD @ Amazon + https://www.ericbibb.com/ & https://stonyplainrecords.com/ericbibb/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Eric Bibb “Ridin”
