Gig - Eric Bibb: Live In Ipswich, Suffolk

The Shades site has seen Eric perform many times over the years and in many different settings. This is the review we've decided to keep on the site however, primarily because it emphasises Bibb at his best, performing to a (relatively) small audience in an intimate and relaxed setting.

Over the past few years, Eric has been a fairly frequent visitor to these shores and, remarkably, Ipswich has been a reasonably regular stopping off point for the great man. Eric and the band hit the stage and began proceedings with the blues standard 'Sugar Mama'. From the outset, it was clear that this was very much a band performance. Bibb was still centre stage but much of the pleasure of the evening was to be found in the wonderful accompaniment. We had Janne Petersson on various keyboards and accordion, Bjorn Gideonsson on drums and percussion and Dave Bronze on bass and each greatly contributed to a fuller and more robust sound than has been usual on past Eric Bibb performances.

Bibb standards were much in evidence, along with a number of tracks from the latest album (at the time) "Painting Signs". Some of the old favourites (in particular 'In My Father's House', 'Good Stuff' and the encore 'Don't Let Nobody Get Your Spirit Down') gained a great deal from the high energy and undeniably good time vibe that the band generated. Special mention goes to the terrific keyboard work of Janne Petersson and the subtle bass of Bibb's arranger and producer Dave Bronze.

It's interesting to ruminate on why Eric has recently taken this approach to his material - it is after all a highly personal and singular view of the world, albeit one steeped in a long and valued tradition. Humorous asides throughout the evening about the marketing and categorisation of his music suggests he might be trying to broaden his appeal - and a few in the audience would undoubtedly have liked to see and hear more of Eric and guitar alone on stage, and we did get a solo section midway through the set. A particular highlight of the night was a sort of low key 'mini set' mid way through the gig, starting with Eric's version of Hendrix's 'Angel', accompanied as on record only by piano, followed by the lovely 'For You' and the title track from the latest album.
Overall though, the more muscular band setting lent a freshness and weight to many of the songs - 'Saucer and Cup, 'Needed Time' and 'Shingle by Shingle' all fared well with fresh readings without losing any of the warmth for which Eric is rightly renowned; I guess everyone feels the need to move on!

You always get the impression with Eric Bibb that he genuinely enjoys performing live. His future may or may not lie in a broadening of his sound but we need never doubt the integrity, sheer musicality and life affirming nature of his music. A real star, and wonderful stuff.