Eric Bibb

There does not seem to be a single unhappy bone in the body of Eric Bibb – not to say that he is smug but rather that he has a handle on his soul and on the things that are important to him and he is satisfied with his lot: or so it seems and I have no evidence to argue with.

He was quiet, understated and enormously musical and while his music has elements of religious fervour there is no feeling that you are being preached at – just that he is happy with where he is at and happy to demonstrate that happiness to you, the listener.

This is the sense that pervades his albums but live, in the presence as it were, the effect is amplified and even the most cynical of listeners – me – takes away the warm golden glow of a superb gig by a most magical of performers.

After a super support set by Emily Maguire that was received very warmly by the sell out audience and showed that talent does not have to come from 'normal’ sources, the hiatus before Mr Bibb took the stage was fairly short. He opened with some classic Blues featuring his easy finger picking guitar and with St Louis Jimmy’s 'Goin’ Down Slow’ a real delight and Guy Clarke’s 'The Cape’ setting the tone for the rest of the set..The remainder of his band came out after the first few numbers and we were treated to some high class playing from the legendary Larry Crockett on drums, Trevor Hutchinson on stand up bass, Glen Scott – who produced his latest album – on keys and melodica and Steffan Astner on guitar and they kicked into a heartening version of 'Still Livin’ On’, a litany of lost Blues and Gospel greats.

He mixed in material from his breakthrough album 'Diamond Days’ and from the new album 'get On Board’ and the feeling in the hall – appropriately for what was the old church of Christ The Scientist – was almost evangelical. The audience hung on his every word and seemed almost to be in a state of bliss at times and as he delivered great, rollicking gospel after a simple number like 'Pockets’ it was impossible not to get wrapped up in the feeling of joy in the hall.

There is nothing about religion or being saved or even about any deity, just a sense of the great goodness of the world that surrounds Eric Bibb and for a couple of hours it was wonderful to be sharing that world. Even roadworks and police emergencies couldn’t shake the feeling and for that I have to thank him. A special night.