Show Me the Way Home, Honey

Habib Koité & Eric Bibb - Brothers in Bamako

Styles: World, African-West, Acoustic Blues, Contemporary Blues
Label: Stony Plain
Released: 2012
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 120,6 MB
Time: 52:40
Art: front + back

1. On My Way To Bamako - 3:15
2. L.A. - 5:37
3. Touma Ni Kelen ~ Needed Time - 4:40
4. Tombouctou - 4:03
5. We Don't Care - 4:00
6. Send Us Brighter Days - 3:58
7. Nani Le - 2:31
8. Khafole - 4:18
9. With My Maker Iam One - 4:26
10. Foro Bana - 5:24
11. Mami Wata - 1:35
12. Blowin' In The Wind - 4:45
13. Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad - 4:00


Notes: The Stony Plain label, justly famed for myriad expositions of roots music via a cascade of legendary long-timers and incandescent newcomers is, in Brothers in Bamako by Habib Koité and Eric Bibb, lately giving the excellent Putamayo label a run for the money by releasing this compendium of mellifluous, enchanting, sigh-filled evocations of beauty, reminiscence, reflection, and humane commentary. Chiefly just the two gents Koité and Bibb singing and fingerpicking, with some session work added in here and there, the sound field is magically filled with delicate scintillating guitar work and light flowing vocals. Once the amber tones of Bamako disc start wafting through the room, everyone's gonna lighten up and smile.
The affinities between this blend of South African, folk, and blues musics is strongly mirrored in South American strains as well, in the gentler, easier-going selections from the samba / bossa / etc. catalogue. More than once, I was also reminded of recent excellent releases by James Lee Stanley and John Batdorf, and a number of times I found my fingers snapping oh so coolly, just like a Djavan LP was playing. The threads to Nick Drake are just as evident as there's a consummate ethereality running throughout the CD—whether you care to attribute it to a more cosmic mindset or not is your decision, but Donovan had a number of cuts that still ring down the years and are extremely kindred to Bamako atmospheres.
Taj Mahal and the like have sewn this kind of highly attractive strain into their repertoires, but Koité & Bibb present an entire 13-cut delicacy before us, and one can very easily drift off to sleep while listening, carried away from the clamor and insistence of the wearying world. Bamako reminds us that not everything is stress, furious intensity, and callousness, the disc gently beckoning one and all back to their human sides, where we live for the pleasure of living alone. Listeners know that any CD can be a risk—it might be 30% good, 50%, whatever—but this is one is a 100%-er, plain pure heaven. You might even call it medicine.
A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange by Mark S. Tucker

“It’s my first trip to West Africa. But I’m pretty sure, in some kind of way, it’s gonna feel like coming home”
Renowned blues musician, Eric Bibb, sings that revelation in the title track of his new disc with fellow renowned musician Habib Koite, On My Way to Bamako, and joining Habib in the capital city of Mali with his family. This warm and inviting blend of blues and world music is a delight to hear and experience as two songwriters journey to each other’s worlds. Habib praises ‘tequila time’ making him happy in “L.A” as he follows a hilarious line about taking five shots of the liquor.
Many of the tracks like fall under the category of spiritual awareness, but not tied to particular religious dogma. It’s more about reconnecting to each other and the land. “We Don’t Care” and “Send Us Brighter Days” are like a supplication to a deeper, interconnected life in two parts. Eric makes it very plain how intertwined both sinner and saint are to the Higher Power or God on the track, “With My Maker I am One”. Overall, a solid folk/blues treat that does indeed feel to coming home to me.

Brothers in Bamako



• Markus James - Snakeskin Violin •
• Tracy Nelson - The Best Of Tracy Nelson/Mother Earth •

Oznake: Habib Koité, Eric Bibb, World, African-West, Acoustic Blues, Contemporary Blues, mali

Eric Bibb, Rory Block & Maria Muldaur - Sisters & Brothers

Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Contemporary Blues, Folk-Blues, Modern Acoustic Blues
Label: Telarc
Released: 2004
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 120,4 MB
Time: 52:35
Art: full

1. Rock Daniel - 2:09
2. Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down - 3:27
3. Get Up Get Ready - 4:28
4. Lean On Me - 4:06
5. Bessie's Advice - 7:17
6. Good Stuff - 3:02
7. Rolling Log - 2:49
8. Gotta Serve Somebody - 5:34
9. Travelin' Woman Blues - 4:29
10. Little Rain - 4:06
11. Maggie Campbell - 2:58
12. Give A Little More - 3:20
13. My Sisters And Brothers - 4:44

Personnel:
Eric Bibb - Guitar, Vocals
Rory Block - Guitar, Vocals
Maria Muldaur - Vocals
Chris Burns - Piano, Wurlitzer, Wurlitzer Piano
Per Hanson - Drums
Mudcat Ward - Bass (Upright), Double Bass

Notes: Sisters and Brothers is a dynamic collection of blues. There isn't a bad track to be found, each one taking you in a new direction. This threesome gives their very best, never once overshadowing someone else. Each artists expressive originality truly compliments the other, highlighting their strengths and creativity. This trio opens the door to a different side of the blues, the hopeful, uplifting, inspiring side. You'll be pleasantly surprised just how infectious this recording becomes, as you play it again and again. It's a genuine "feel good" album with lots of toe-tappin' energy. I highly recommend you dive right into this one.
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Sisters & Brothers



• Paul Geremia - Gamblin' Woman Blues •
• Brother John Sellers - Sings Blues And Folk Songs •

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Posted by muddy

Oznake: Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur, Contemporary Blues, Folk-Blues, Acoustic Blues