Eric Bibb, Queen Elizabeth Hall - music review

Relaxed and stylish beneath his trademark flat-brimmed Panama hat, Eric Bibb applied his laid-back larynx to strong new songs
24 October 2013

The sea of faces greeting singer-guitarist Eric Bibb last night was impressive but almost entirely white. It’s unclear why but Bibb deserved better. The artistry of this soulful and sophisticated traveller transcends his Delta country-blues genre.

Relaxed and stylish beneath his trademark flat-brimmed Panama hat, he applied his laid-back larynx to strong new songs. These are Needy Days resonated with any struggling family, and Back to Bamako described his recent trip to West Africa, which “I knew was gonna feel like coming home”. Tributes to Nelson Mandela and Rev Gary Davis were his own.

Behind him were Michael Jerome Browne, an excellent Canadian singer-guitarist whose solo set had opened the show, plus three British worthies, drummer Paul Robinson, bassist “Level Neville” Malcolm and MD/keyboarder Glen Scott, producer of Eric’s latest album, Jericho Road. They combined well but the best moments came when Bibb stepped forward alone with his guitar. A stunning version of Goin’ Down Slow was followed by a neat riposte to anyone enquiring what kind of music he played.

“I’m just singin’ what I’m livin’ and a little bit more/I guess you can call me a troubador.” Great line.

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