Take the deep rooted musical influences and contemporary , original songwriting talent of native New Yorker Eric Bibb, add a group of musicians from across the world - America, U.K., Scandinavia, South Africa - finance from Germany and America, a blend of vintage and modern technology; put them together in the intimate atmosphere of an 18th Century farmhouse in the midst of the Norfolk countryside and the result of this heady and diverse mix is Eric Bibb's fourth album, "Home To Me"

So begins the start of the press release to Eric's most recent album. In those few short sentences, you get so many clues as to why Eric has been creating waves in the blues pond for a while now.

His life has always had music around it. His father, Leon, was an important figure in the New York Folk Revival in the 60s. His uncle, John Lewis, was a founder of Modern Jazz Quartet, whilst family friends include the likes of Pete Seeger and Josh White. He even managed to squeeze in a conversation about guitar with Bob Dylan when he was just eleven.

Some might have been tempted to bathe in reflected glory playing covers of songs from family and friends. Fortunately Eric had a wider vision. He headed to Europe where he picked up other blues influences. Following a period in Paris, blues and then his heart took him to Sweden where he settled.

The result was a whole host of sounds, styles and life influences for him to build his sound and songs around. The results on both record and live have justified every footstep.
Eric's singer/songwriter attitude to his blues helps to give it that 'heart on a sleeve feel'. It's that empathy he injects into his songs that can't help but move the listener. It also gives Eric another string to his bow.

By having so much heart in the core of the song, he is able to deliver both solo and as part of a group. It also allows him to bring life to subjects that are political rather than just experience.

Live Eric delivers a set that is something a bit different. Bibb has served a very different apprenticeship to most of his contemporaries and his reward is a set that is energised as well as distinct.