Saturday 17 March 2012

Eric Bibb - Deeper In The Well

Such Simple Depths

This is a bucketfull of music pulled expertly from a blues and folk well. And there's no unnecessary splash as its contents are tipped out for our listening thirst - it is rather a steady and even pouring of gentle sips to sooth and satisfy.

There is an admirable simplicity in the performance and production of this latest album. Bibb's voice and guitar playing are, to keep the analogy flowing, the bucket that has dipped, filled and quenched so often before, but the familiar contents this time around are enhanced by the fluid musicianship of Jerry Douglas on dobro, the fiddle of Cedric Watson, Dirk Powell's multi-instrumental offerings, and the great harmonica playing of Grant Dermondy, which includes a sparkling Southern-song solo as a hidden track ending. Just listen to the fiddle and harmonica licks on an emotive rendition of Sinner Man. Brilliant.

There is a faithful and yet fresh version of Dylan's The Times They Are A Changin' which exemplifies the whole with its uncluttered arrangement of simply strummed banjo, Bibb's heartfelt vocal, and minimalist drumming. As you listen you are struck with the powerful relevance of those lyrics in today's economic and social climate, but at the same time the sad recognition that this very power did not affect the change it so hopefully asserted in its time.

Perhaps the well will always retain its dark depths no matter how often we pull such richness from that place.

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