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Eric Bibb
in concert review
by Jon
Andriessen
Town Hall, Cheltenham
Wednesday , November 19
He's hardly a household name,
but Eric Bibb has a solid, if not cult, following. So what is the secret
of this ageless acolyte of jazz, folk, gospel, fusion and blues? After an
evening of expert, yet questionable, entertainment, I'm still not sure.
 He's laid-back, often endearing and unflinchingly self-assured, has the
voice of an angel with a band of cherubim to match and just when you think
he's going in one direction, well you guessed it, he takes another path.
Perhaps it's Bibb's expansive upbringing, being surrounded by so many
influences and genres, that make him so interminably difficult to review,
or maybe it's the fact that he has so many facets to pay lip service to
that no single one manages to shine. It's not that he's lacking in
ability; far from it. Bibb could probably do anything he wanted or was
asked to do - including appearances on Songs of Praise. It's just that he
doesn't really have much to say.
He's best playing solo, with all due respect to the band, and surely a
guitar collector's guru - he used at least five different six-stringed
strum machines - with many a tale to tell the expectant audience. His
songs are light, almost refreshing, with even a hint of universality and
accessibility, but are far too often forgettable and whimsical, like lift
music that fails to actually lift.
Perhaps it was just a cold night in Cheltenham and I wanted something to
warm my bones. The music was pleasant and well performed, but I could
happily have spent an evening in, inspired by the flames of my fire.
© Jon
Andriessen
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