Send "Eric Bibb " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Popmatters |
 After a lifetime playing music, most musicians probably have a sense of what their sound is. Maybe it’s because he’s made a career and an art out of slipping between genres, but singer and guitarist Eric Bibb might not have officially named his role until 2005, nearly 30 years after his solo debut, Rainbow People. That year he released “Troubadour” on A Ship Called Love. The mantle of troubadour fits Bibb perfectly, so it’s no wonder he named his new live album simply Troubadour Live. The album, which features guitarist Staffan Astner as well as Psalm4, succinctly captures Bibb’s aesthetic, summing up who he is without sating the desire for more.The track “Troubadour”, of course, made it onto the album, taken from a live set in Sweden last December. This performance bounces more than the original recording, probably fitting for the tone of the concert. Coming third in the show, the song’s positioned to explain what’s to come. Bibb explains himself when asked (in the song) what kind of music he plays: “Gonna hear some blues …. Gospel, soul, and some good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll … They call me a troubadour”. All those styles and more do show up throughout the rest of the set. Listeners might most quickly categorize Bibb as a blues guitarist. Cuts like the BB King ode “Tell Riley” wouldn’t dispel that idea, and Astner’s electric work here builds a classic sound beautifully against Bibb’s acoustic. You can trace the blues sound throughout the album—“Walkin’ Blues Again” is an obvious choice for more than just its title—but the folk influences probably stand out more, particularly in Bibb’s situating himself as an acoustic guitarist-storyteller....full text |
| Guardian |
| The talents of this soft-spoken US bluesman have never quite enjoyed a killer album. Instead have come near misses like his last, Booker's Guitar, and a confusing number of live albums. Still, this well-recorded live set from Sweden showcases Bibb's polished acoustic blues nicely. Bibb retains the bemusement and determination of a good man confronting a bad world; playful on "The Cape", steely on "New World Comin' Through". "Walkin' Blues Together" and "Tell Riley", his homage to BB King, also feature. Two so-so studio pieces at the end don't belong with an often intense performance....full text |
| Ericbibb |
| Eric Bibb’s last few studio efforts have proven he can deliver the goods when it comes to folk, blues, and soul music. And with Troubadour Live, we get a feel for his stage presence and versatility; all but one of the live cuts here also feature veteran Swedish guitarist Staffan Astner, and it’s obvious they are comfortable playing together. Bibb is a great storyteller, as is evident from the first cut, “The Cape,” a tale of hope and faith accompanied by Bibb’s fingerpicked acoustic. Astner joins for the country-blues boogie of “New Home.” Bibb’s husky vocal is accented by Astner’s thick fills, and he takes the song to a different place with a solo that burns. “Shavin’ Talk” has a lyric that resonates, fine acoustic from Bibb, and a punchy electric solo from Astner. The gospel group Psalm4 brings a pop/soul feel to “For You,” which also shows Bibb’s comfort level outside the blues and proves Astner’s versatility. Bibb’s acoustic guitar is big and full, and his fingerpicking plays to the strengths of the songs. Astner has an amazing tone – clean, but hot. Coupled with his chops and knowledge, his work here practically serves as a tutorial on how to play electric guitar. – John Heidt...full text |
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