Eric Bibb - In 50 Songs: Best Of (2014)

Eric Bibb, for the uninitiated, is part of music's royal family. His father and uncle were part of the New York folk scene - Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan being family friends. Paul Robeson is his godfather. Fairly impressive so far. Unusually he moved to Europe in the 1970's and has been here ever since (mostly in Scandinavia it appears).

It's unclear where this particular record appears from although all indications are that it is of French origin so good luck in tracking it down in the UK. It might be an import job if you feel so moved to seek it out (it's not listed on his own website so who knows). What it represents is a pick and mix compilation of his recordings over the last ten years (think Neil Young's "Decade" but…erm…slightly less well known). Again, it's unclear as to who decided that these were "Best of…" tracks. Probably not the man himself and most likely some Francophone label sort who jotted the titles down on the back of a packet of Gauloises. Actually it was probably a 200 export pack given the number of songs. Anyhow it is what it is and it's out there for our perusal and enjoyment.

So what do we have in Eric Bibb? Well he's a bluesman and an authentic one. He can play it and sing and, in fact, BE it. It's not a lush arrangement as such but it is pretty laid back with an acoustic feel even when it's purely electric. I like that sound - the sort of feeling that the players are in the front room giving it up when you are in the kitchen fixing a drink. None of that echo/reverb/back of the concert hall feel here (the odd live track thrown in by Pierre the office temp notwithstanding). And we all like a bit of blues don't we? The blues (and its funk and soul progeny) and its conjugations with rock 'n' roll and country are at the heart of Americana music after all, right? Yes sir they are. And yes I do like the blues. There is a caveat to that, though. I like the blues (a polished, understated, laid back kind of blues all the better) but - to sound like a spoilt brat - there is a limit. Remember that there are fifty songs here…something like three hours and twenty minutes worth of music. For all the readers out there for whom Eric Bibb is the best thing since sliced Clapton I apologise but…crikey…there's a limit to what a man or woman can stand.

Frankly CD 1 is enough in a 'have a drink and relax' or 'chuck it in the car for a long journey' sort of way. I can't even imagine playing all three cds presented here back to back. I think I'd rather pull my own teeth. The fact that I have just booked an appointment with my dentist of choice is merely testament to my dedication to the Americana-Uk Writers Guild cause.

TRACKLIST

CD1
01. Eric Bibb - In My Father’s House (Remastered)
02. Eric Bibb - Guru Man Blues (Remastered)
03. Eric Bibb - Heading Home (Remastered)
04. Eric Bibb - Champagne Habits (Remastered)
05. Eric Bibb - Too Much Stuff (Remastered)
06. Eric Bibb - Destiny Blues (Remastered)
07. Eric Bibb - Sittin’ In A Hotel Room (Remastered)
08. Eric Bibb - Come Back Baby (Remastered)
09. Eric Bibb - Saucer ‘N’ Cup (Remastered)
10. Eric Bibb - Sinner Man (Remastered)
11. Eric Bibb - Right On Time (Remastered)
12. Eric Bibb - In My Time (Remastered)
13. Eric Bibb & Ruthie Foster - For You (Feat. Ruthie Foster) [Remastered]
14. Eric Bibb & Kristina Olsen - If I Stayed (Feat. Kristina Olsen) [Remastered]
15. Eric Bibb & Guy Davis - 99 12 Won’t Do (Feat. Guy Davis) [Remastered]
16. Eric Bibb - No More Cane On The Brazos (Remastered)
17. Eric Bibb - Boll Weevil (Remastered)
18. Eric Bibb - Kokomo (Remastered)
19. Eric Bibb & Jerry Yester - Dance Me To The End Of Love (Feat. Jerry Yester) [Remastered]
20. Eric Bibb - Victory Voices (Remastered)
21. Eric Bibb - She Got Mine (Remastered)
22. Eric Bibb - Tell Riley (Remastered)
23. Eric Bibb - Stickin’ To You (Remastered)
24. Eric Bibb - A Ship Called Love (Remastered)
25. Eric Bibb - Have A Heart (Remastered)
26. Eric Bibb - Forgiveness Is Gold (Remastered)

CD2
01. Eric Bibb - Let the Mothers Step Up (Remastered)
02. Eric Bibb - Dig a Little Deeper In the Well (Remastered)
03. Eric Bibb & Habib Koite - On My Way To Bamako (feat. Habib Koite) [Remastered]
04. Eric Bibb & Martin Simpson - The Cape (feat. Martin Simpson) [Remastered]
05. Eric Bibb - Bayou Belle (Remastered)
06. Eric Bibb - With My Maker I Am One (Remastered)
07. Eric Bibb - Hold On (Remastered)
08. Eric Bibb - Connected (Remastered)
09. Eric Bibb - Stagolee (Remastered)
10. Eric Bibb & Taj Mahal - Goin' Down Slow (feat. Taj Mahal) [Remastered]
11. Eric Bibb - Drinkin' Gourd (Remastered)
12. Eric Bibb - The Right Thing (Remastered)
13. Eric Bibb - Shine On (Remastered)
14. Eric Bibb - Faded Jeans (Remastered)
15. Eric Bibb - The Way You Are (Remastered)
16. Eric Bibb - Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down (Remastered)
17. Eric Bibb - Bourgeois Blues (Remastered)
18. Eric Bibb - Diamond Days (Remastered)
19. Eric Bibb & Habib Koite - Send Us Brighter Days (feat. Habib Koite) [Remastered]
20. Eric Bibb - Water (Remastered)
21. Eric Bibb - Weepin' Mary (Remastered)
22. Eric Bibb - Wayfaring Stranger (Remastered)
23. Eric Bibb - Shingle By Shingle (Remastered)
24. Eric Bibb - Needed Time (Remastered)