Sisters & Brothers

Eric Bibb | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 2004)
• Original Release Date: February 24, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B0001BDAQ4
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,047 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Rock Daniel

2. Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down

3. Get Up Get Ready

4. Lean On Me

5. Bessie's Advice

6. Good Stuff

7. Rolling Log

8. Gotta Serve Somebody

9. Travelin' Woman Blues

10. Little Rain

11. Maggie Campbell

12. Give A Little More

13. My Sisters And Brothers

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

That the trio recorded this stunning, spiritual-minded collaboration in the town of Unity, Maine, is one of life's fortuitous coincidences. Although their voices are dissimilar, Maria Muldaur, Eric Bibb, and Rory Block share roots in folk, gospel, and blues. Brought together, along with a three-piece backing band, in a barn-turned-recording-studio by producer Randy Labbe, the trio cooks up a feisty musical feast that sounds so comfortable and joyous, it seems they were lost soulmates finally joined in song. Bibb's smooth Keb' Mo'-style vocals join Muldaur's huskier, sassy approach and Block's deep blues on a combination of originals and covers that showcase each artist's strengths, both solo and in tandem with the others. From contemporary classics such as Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody" and Bill Withers's sublime "Lean on Me" to a languid version of Jimmy Reed's "Little Rain" and a swampy, roof-raising "My Sisters and Brothers," this upbeat album never gets predictable, preachy, or clichéd. --Hal Horowitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fervor, Wit and Great Blues Singing, April 1, 2004

By 

Thomas H. Moody "Music Enthusiast" (Nobleboro, ME United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sisters & Brothers (Audio CD)

Some might say that Maria Muldaur, Rory Block and Eric Bibb are as unalike as they are alike. But it's their "unalikeness" wrapped into their likeness that makes this recording something special. This album plays like a joint effort of three old friends having a jam session of sorts. Its totally relaxed, yet full of fervor, wit, and definitive blues/gospel singing. Some of the standouts are Block's version of Bill Wither's "Lean On Me" with great harmony from Muldaur, Bibb's take on Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody" and Muldaur's "Bessie's Advice" (cowritten with Bibb). That's just the icing. There's plenty more including two of Block's standards "Rolling Log" and "Maggie Campbell" where one gets to hear her wonderful guitar playing which sounds as fresh as ever. Bibb's languid, bluesy take on "Little Rain" is right on the money! Things close with Muldaur performing one of her old chestnuts, "My Brothers and Sisters". At the end when she cries out "Hallelujah..Thank Ya!..Thank Ya!" one knows that they've just experienced three great talents doing what they were born to do! If you're a fan of music at its most basic and stirring, this recording is a must! NOTE: Amazon has the son listings in the wrong order.

P.S. Please make another trip to Unity and do it again!!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Collaboration Makes a Great Album!!!, May 14, 2005

By 

Dennis Lee Cleven (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sisters & Brothers (Audio CD)

I was drawn to this album due to my admiration of Maria Muldaur and her vocals on this album are truly superb. It is not pop nor blues. This is a folk album if it must be categorized and the songs are fantastic. There is true life and spirit in every track. It is invigorating and I found myself drawn into listen to each and ever song and once the album was over, I wanted more. I admire Maria for taking part with Eric Bibb and Rory Block. As one other reviewer suggested, they should go back to that barn in Unity, Maine and do another album. Unity is the message of this album. It is uplifting but not "preachy". The songs such as "Lean On Me", "Bessie's Advice", have soul and a message of brotherhood. I love this album and when it is over, it is easy to hit "Replay". I cannot recommend this great album which deserves five stars if not more, highly enough. It is so fine!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Stuff, February 18, 2010

By 

L. Harris "skytag" (Winter Haven, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sisters & Brothers (Multichannel Hybrid SACD) (Audio CD)

A little background: I wouldn't describe myself as a blues (or whatever variation of blues this is) fan and I'd never heard of any of the people on this CD before I stumbled onto this album, but the samples sounded interesting and one of Amazon's Marketplace sellers was selling it cheap so I tried it. That said...

This is great stuff. I'm not a big fan of the first track (Rock Daniel), but as a whole this is genuinely engaging. The best music compels me to stop everything I'm doing and give it my full attention and this does that in spades.

You can get an idea of the music listening to the samples online but they don't do justice to what you'll hear listening to the SACD multichannel version on a nice system. Performances and recording are flawless. Surrounds place the listener on the stage with the performers on most tracks. Main performers are up front, but background vocals and instruments have a strong presence in the surrounds on several tracks. My subwoofer even gets used a little and it only kicks in for the lowest material. Definitely a strong multichannel mix that may not may not be to everyone's tastes but it really works for me. This hybrid disk has a CD layer as well as high resolution SACD stereo and 5.1 versions but I've only listened to the SACD 5.1 version.

Recommended without hesitation.

52'10"