Friends is the accurate and revealing title for New York Bluesman Eric Bibbs tenth album since 1997. The cuts here feature rootsy folk and blues collaborations with different friends in differering small group settings. The set starts with a killer accoustic slide duet between Bibb and Guy Davis on the nugget 99 1/2 Wont Do. The control between Davis sweet and smoky delivery and Bibbs husky wail akin to Blind Willie Johnsons in places offers a double-sided dimension in interpretation for the listener, as well.

Elsewhere, Charlie Musselwite gives a killer snaky harmonica performance on Six Olock Blues/ Taj Mahal makes two appearances; one in a duet on Goin Down Slow and one in a trio with Bibb and Malian Guitarist Djellmady Tounkara on a medley of the traditional Kulanjan and Bibbs own Sebastiabnss Tune. Speaking of Mali, and Mahal. Bibb also covers the elder bluesmans classic Lovin in My Babys eyes. with the great Kora player madou Diabate that rivals the original. Theres also a gorgeous version of Guy and Susanna Clarks The Capa.with guitarist Martin Simpson, Bibbs moving For You with Ruthie Foster, and Taint No Such Thing. a bright new folk song written and sung with legendary folk singer Odetta Mohan Veena ace Harry Manx performs with Bibb on the high lonesome, droning blues of Needed Time. and with Kristina Olsen on her If I Stayed . The set closes with the tender Dance Me to the End of Love, (an original, not the Leonard Cohen tune), with the Lovin Spoonful Jerry Yester playing piano.

Given that most records of this type are mixed bags at best with star-studded collabs serving too much up or water down rather than enhance performances, Friends is an anomaly. There is nothing thats obvious or overblown here, everything is subtly shaded, and the performances serve the songs and not themselves. The listener gets no sense of back patting or self-congratulation. only the great pleasure of hearing the music in a revealing, emotionally honest way. Bravo. Thom Jurek/AMG

• LP x 2 gatefold sleeve

PPAN013 -Artist-Eric Bibb

• Internal ID: JIT
• Internal ID: JIT
• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: Jazz
• Handling Note: **Please allow an additional 5 business days for this item’s shipment.**
• Genre: Jazz
• Format Detail: 2LP Black
• Availability : Pre-Order
• Format Detail: 2LP Black
• Handling Note: **Please allow an additional 5 business days for this item’s shipment.**
• Format: Vinyl