Sinner man

In less than ten years, Eric Bibb has become a household name for blues fans in France, Europe and the rest of the world. A beacon for the next generation of folk music lovers, Bibb has opened new ways for the future of American roots music with his subtle playing and creative vision. Born in New York in 1951, Eric is the son 1960's folk and musical theatre singer, Leon Bibb. His uncle was the world-renowned jazz pianist, John Lewis, of The Modern Jazz Quartet, and his godfather was singer/actor/activist Paul Robeson.

Eric has toured throughout the world, enjoying success in Britain, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Benelux, France, Sweden & Germany. In all of these countries, Eric has appeared on major TV and radio shows. During this period Eric and his band have played at many major festivals incl. Glastonbury (twice) Cambridge Folk Festival in the UK; Byron Bay & Port Fairy in Australia; Vancouver, Calgary & Edmonton Folk Festivals in Canada; Poconos & Bull Durham Blues Festivals in the USA; Midfyns Festival in Denmark, Womex in Sweden, and the Cognac Blues Festival in France.

Eric's talent for both performing and songwriting has been recognised with a Grammy Nomination and 4 W.C.Handy nominations. Eric is at the top of his game on stage, giving performances often met with standing ovations, and all blues lovers concur in saying that an Eric Bibb concert is a truly unique experience.

« Eric is one of the new, young singers that has appeared on the scene that, much to my delight, has a great voice, is an excellent performer and has a great knowledge about the roots of this music » - Taj Mahal

Anyone with an avid interest in the traditional folk music of North America knows that Louisiana has long been, and still is, a place where the old styles survive and thrive and new sounds are born. Its rich history of African, French, Spanish, Caribbean and Native- American influences has gifted the world with a unique culture that no catastrophe, natural or man-made, can ever destroy.

Arriving, mid-September, at Dirk Powell's Cypress House Studio in Pont Breaux, Louisiana, with a satchel of new songs, I felt the thrill of great expectations. The last time I'd met up with Dirk was back in January when we both had been invited to be a part of the BBC's ³Celtic Connections²- filmed in the Scottish countryside. That was the first time we'd had the opportunity to playmusic together and we really hit it off.

The original idea to record in Louisiana was hatched even earlier during a meeting with Matt Greenhill from Folklore Productions. His many talents include getting like-minded musicians together in interesting combinations. Anyway, knowing that I was looking for a versatile multi-instrumentalist to record with alongside harmonica virtuoso Grant Dermody, he suggested Dirk, an amazing musicianer who also has a wonderful studio.

Matt also later came up with the idea of calling in the fabulous Cedric Watson, a young lion of the new Creole music evolving in and around Lafayette. Also on hand was the sublimely groovy Danny DeVillier, on drums, and Michael Bishop, sound engineer extraordinaire, who flew in from Ohio with his gear and million-dollar ears.

Thusly assembled, in beautiful, not-too-hot, bayou weather, the seven of us, brothers of varying hue, came to record a celebration of our shared Americana héritage : « Deeper In The Well ».

Eric Bibb
October, 2011