Acoustic Singer/Songwriter/Musician Eric Bibb Hits Charts With New Release

Market Wire, 20050229

Eric Bibb, a popular icon in Europe and two-time Handy award nominee is becoming a familiar face, and voice, on the U. S. acoustic folk-blues scene and his new CD, "Painting Signs" is rising on the charts as well. As his popularity escalates, earlier comparisons to legendary greats Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal are being replaced by quotes that speak to Bibb's ability to "use standard blues ingredients to cook up something all his own."

Bibb is fast becoming known for his positive approach to the blues, his ability to expand on the standard blues patterns and his successful mixing of various genres, resulting in the refreshing edge his music takes. Since his performance at the London Blues Festival in 1996, he has toured the world, enjoying success in the UK, USA, Canada, France, Sweden, Ireland and Germany, appearing on major television shows and radio programs. Bibb has performed at many major festivals including Glastonbury, The Barbican American Festival, The Guinness Blues Festival, Midfytns Festival, Cognac Blues Festival, Vancouver Folk Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Chicago World Music Festival and Bull Durham Blues Festival.

Eric Bibb's 4th U. S. album for the California-based EarthBeat! Records successfully blends the diverse influences of his music, from the singer/songwriter approach of "To Know You" and "Painting Signs" to the traditional blues of "Delia's Gone" on to the full sound of the gospel infused "Hope in a Hopeless World." The album features several new compositions by Eric, as well as tracks written by some of the major influences in American roots music, including Reverend Gary Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Pops Staples. Guest musicians include bassist (and album producer) Dave Bronze (of Clapton fame) and guitarist Robbie McIntosh (The Pretenders and Paul McCartney's "Wings") and Henry Spenetti on drums (Eric Clapton and Tina Turner bands).

It seems the buzz is catching on, as "Painting Signs" (just released August 7th) charted almost immediately. The week of August 7 saw "Painting Signs" on Gavin's Top 5 most added, with 11 adds. It charted the second week at #35 and was #5 on spincrease, going from 18 spins the first week, to 96! The third week it hit at #29 with 108 spins, the next at #30... you get the picture. This week, it jumped to #11 on Gavin's AAA charts and hit at #1 on Gavin's "Gridbound".

The Album Network/Totallyadult also had "Painting Signs" in the Top 5 most added for the week of August 7, with 13 adds and it was #94 on their non-commercial AAA chart. The following week, it climbed to #38.The third week had the album at #27, gaining 30 spins in a week, with an overall 52 spin increase on non-commercial and commercial combined.

Currently, the album is still charting and is #34.

It is also on the College radio charts, CMJ, at # 35 on their Top 200!

Bibb's rich and sensitive vocals and lyrics provide a perfect balance to his fine fingerpicking technique. Purveying a beautifully realized and deftly accomplished soulful and gospel-infused, folk-blues, Bibb has no problem fusing various genres effortlessly, melding a traditional rootsy American style with a subtle, contemporary sensibility. As one critic wrote, "Eric's singing and versatile guitar playing fuses a variety of genres to become a New World blues."

Born in 1951, Bibb is a native New Yorker with deep roots in American Blues and Folk tradition. He is the son of '60s folk and musical theatre singer and television personality, Leon Bibb. Eric and Leon have recently been collaborating musically, something Eric is very excited about. They will perform together in Vancouver, BC in November of this year.

Eric's uncle is world famous jazz pianist/composer, John Lewis, of the Modern Jazz Quartet, and singer/actor/activist Paul Robeson was his godfather. Surrounded by major musical figures of the day, the young Bibb was inspired and influenced by Odetta, Richie Havens, Pete Seeger, Earl Robinson, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins and many others.

Bibb continues to tour the U. S. this summer in support of "Painting Signs", including September/October dates with Robert Cray. To check out Bibb's itinerary, go to:

www.earthbeatrecords.com/hometome/tour_dates.html See tour dates for Cray shows below.

Last month, Bibb was a heavily featured and promoted endorsee for Harmony/Stella Guitars, and performed at the NAMM 3-day exhibition in Nashville. He will be performing at this year's NARM conference on September 13th, as well. Consumer and industry awareness has been heightened for Bibb by the W. C. Handy nominations of both his earlieralbums, Spirit and the Blues (EB#75686) and Home To Me (EB#79793).

Like Eric's personality, his music is intimate, assured and passionate, drawing listeners into the moment. His music purveys a beautifully realized and accomplished soulful and gospel-infused, folk-blues, fusing various genres effortlessly, melding a traditional rootsy American style with a subtle, contemporary sensibility. A performance by Eric is an enriching experience--both musically and spiritually. Folk on Tap's Phil Aldridge described it as "...one of the best evening of acoustic music I have ever heard. A truly magnificent performance from a truly charismatic artist." Guitarist Magazine said, "To have such an immediate ability to communicate is a rare talent, but Eric's got it down to a fine art. You can't help but feel good watching him. An Eric Bibb concert is a moving experience."