Eric Bibb,Ruthie Foster,Martin Simpson Live Review @ Warwick Arts Centre (Coventry) - 26 Nov 2004

Photo:Elly Roberts

Live Review

New country Bluesman Eric Bibb brought his friends together for a fabulous night's music at the magnificent Warwick Arts Centre. Promoting his latest CD ' Friends ', Bibb proved why he's regarded as the main man of the genre. Taking his cues from the likes of Taj Mahal he's developed his own unique style of blending Country, Blues and Gospel. First up was country Bluemans Martin Simpson who gave a masterclass in style and technique. Opening with a lengthy medley of The Air For Maurice Ogg - One More Day - Boots Of Spanish Heather, delighting the 800 strong crowd with complete digital mastery. Lifting the only track from his superb CD Righteousness and Humidity, he launched into the traditional New Orleans classic Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes showing his sublime use of bottleneck on steel guitar. He truly recaptured the atmosphere and empathy of its originator Blind Willie Jefferson. Closing with a traditional song, a Bible story - Dives and Lazarus he rounded of a great support slot.

Second on were duo Ruthie Foster and Cyd Cassone. Again doing a fusion of styles,Foster showed a fine pair of lungs,rating as one of the best Gospel singers in the world.Her hot and smoky vocals were enough to get the emotions stirred,particularly as she belted out a cover of Big Baybelle Smith's Ocean Of Tears. Her album Runaway Soul is full of rousing cross-over styles,containing self-penned and traditional songs -the best being Hole In My Pocket and the title track.

Hatman Eric Bibb, absolutely blew me away. In the most emotionally charged set I've witnessed in years,he drew on the best of his performance skills. His singing was both delicate and sensual. His acoustic guitar work was simple but divine. His songs of profound love, hope (The Cape) and despair are enough to turn you into jelly. Putting the icing on the cake were Foster,Cassone and Simpson, as he drew predominantly from one of the best albums of all time - and I mean all time - Friends. Ultra cool melodies and lyrics we can all relate to - nothing cryptic - it all comes from the heart and that's the intended target. Tracks like Needed Time, Dance Me To The End Of Love( which he sang at his son's wedding ) and For You ( featuring Ruthie Foster ) brought tears to my eyes. Crowning a glorious night, the crowd demanded his cover of Taj Mahal's Loving In My Baby's Eyes, bringing a very noisy standing ovation. This guy certainly knows how to get ' Connected ' to people's emotions. Simply sensational!

Martin Simpson CD - Righteousness & Humidity on Topic Records

Ruthie Foster CD - Runaway Soul on Blue Corn Music

Elly Roberts