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Elly Roberts reviews
supported by Ruthie Foster and Martin Simpson
at Warwick Arts CentreFriday 26th November 2004
New country Bluesman Eric Bibb brought his friends together for a fabulous nights music at the magnificent Warwick Arts Centre.
Promoting his latestCD,Friends,Bibb proved why hes regarded as the main man of the genre.Taking his cues from the likes of Taj Mahal hes developed his own uniquestyle of blending Country, Blues and Gospel.
First up was country BluemansMartin Simpson who gave a masterclass in style and technique. Opening with alengthy medley of The Air For Maurice Ogg One More Day Boots Of SpanishHeather, delighting the 800 strong crowd with complete digital mastery.Lifting the only track from his superb CD Righteousness and Humidity, helaunched into the traditional New Orleans classic Cant Keep From CryingSometimes showing his sublime use of bottleneck on steel guitar. He trulyrecaptured the atmosphere and empathy of its originator Blind WillieJefferson. Closing with a traditional song, a Bible story Dives andLazarus he rounded of a great support slot.
Second on were duo Ruthie Foster and Cyd Cassone. Again doing a fusion ofstyles, Foster showed a fine pair of lungs, rating as one of the best Gospelsingers in the world. Her hot and smoky vocals were enough to get theemotions stirred, particularly as she belted out a cover of Big BaybelleSmiths Ocean Of Tears. Her album Runaway Soul is full of rousing cross-overstyles,containing self-penned and traditional songs the best being Hole InMy Pocket and the title track.
Hatman Eric Bibb, absolutely blew me away. In the most emotionally chargedset Ive witnessed in years,he drew on the best of his performance skills.
His singing was both delicate and sensual. His acoustic guitar work wassimple but divine. His songs of profound love, hope (The Cape) and despairare enough to turn you into jelly. Putting the icing on the cake wereFoster, Cassone and Simpson, as he drew predominantly from one of the bestalbums of all time and I mean all time Friends. Ultra cool melodies andlyrics we can all relate to nothing cryptic it all comes from the heartand thats the intended target.
Tracks like Needed Time, Dance Me To The End Of Love (which he sang athis sons wedding) and For You (featuring Ruthie Foster) brought tearsto my eyes. Crowning a glorious night, the crowd demanded his cover of TajMahals Loving In My Babys Eyes, bringing a very noisy standingovation. This guy certainly knows how to get Connected topeoples emotions. Simply sensational!
Weblinks:Ruthie Foster.comandEric Bibb.com
Runaway Soul
Righteousness & Humidity
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.