Customer Reviews

A Ship Called Love

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just discovered Eric Bibb while listening to the Music Choice Blues channel on Comcast Cable TV. Wow! I'm no expert but know what I like. After buying this CD, I bought four more. I loved them all and can't stop playing them. Somehow, the songs speak to my soul and at 60 years old it's a good thing!

Eric was playing a benefit in Seattle a few years back, and KPLU played "In My Father's House". That was my intro to Eric's music. And, that song says so much about Eric's view of people and the world and life. He wants to tell you and me "we're ok" "we're all loved by God" "there is a place for all of us" and that positive, affirmative vibe just rings in that song, and in so much of Eric's work. I've been to several of Eric's concerts since then, and you know you're in the presence of a good, simple, honest man when he's on stage.

I can use all the positive, affirmative, encouraging sound I can find, so I started my Eric Bibb search on Amazon. I found that Bonnie Raitt included "A Ship Called Love" on her Amazon music favorites list..... not a bad recommendation. So, I got the CD.

If you're looking for something on the edge, something avant garde, something exploratory, sizzling guitar riffs, well this isn't the CD for you. At least on this CD that's not what Eric is going for. He's got a message and he just wants to get it through to us using primarily an acoustic blues format with that wonderful warm voice of his, excellent guitar work, and accompanying piano, harmonica, and voices when they're needed.

A few examples of the message: "We need every faithful heart/love's the only ship that will get us over, we need every hand on deck." (A Ship Called Love)
"Deciding in our hearts/to be voices for the victory/of love, light and harmony/over darkness" (Victory Voices) In the midst of all our clamoring for MORE he can sing about getting off the treadmill, giving up the penthouse, the cabin cruiser, etc and be content with being in love "right where we are." Man, it's good to hear a voice affirming contentment as a virtue! In the "Way You Are" he assures his lady she doesn't need to "wear high heels/skip no meals/hide your scar/I love you baby/just the way you are." The final song on the CD "Praise N Thanksgiving" perhaps sums up Eric's message on this CD; "you're walking to heaven on holy ground/every day, every day/don't let nobody turn you around/on your way, on your way." He wants you to know your little slice of the cosmos is enough, give praise and thanksgiving, go forward with love and joy. Maybe it sounds corny or trite, but it's encouragement I'm glad to receive.

"Faded Jeans" is my favorite song on the CD. It keeps the simple, graceful tone of the rest of the CD, but it also brings back all of the "simple sunny places with old screen doors" that I've known in the simple, plain homes of my grandparents, and other elders. People who lived on farms, or worked in simple blue collar jobs. Kitchen tables covered with worn but very clean oilcloth. He values the woman he sings to for her "kindness, honesty and grace/no makeup or perfume/just a smile on your pretty face." I hear my values in Eric's songs, and it's good have his kindred voice in my ears.

So, if you're bored with those values, yep, you probably want to skip this one. If those values resonate with you, this is a great place to find some peace and encouragement.

This is a fantastic album, easy listening and so relaxing a very good choice of great love songs anyone would appreciate this album.

A lovely insightful album from Mr Bibb. I have had the pleasure of seeing him perform live in Australia, (at the Currumbin RSL, if you remember, Eric!!!), and have always been a fan of his wonderful presentation.
Seeing him perform live in an intimate venue, (200 people max), it was just great.
On this album........beautiful, sensitive songs from several genres, but all with that trademark Eric Bibb uniqueness!!! Listening to this album always mellows me out.