As Mike Rimmer’s 2008 Cross Rhythms interview with revered US-born and Helsinki-based bluesman Eric Bibb showed, the man is arguably the leading light in acoustic blues music. He has quite a pedigree. The son of singer and actor Leon Bibb, the young Eric was not unaccustomed to various folk and blues luminaries passing through his parents’ New York City home in the late ’50s and early ’60s and even counted legendary spirituals singer, actor and civil rights activist Paul Robeson as his godfather. Since then, Bibb has forged a niche for himself as a world travelling purveyor of upbeat gospel-tinged blues. He has been the collaborator of choice for artists such as the Blind Boys Of Alabama, Jean Jacques Milteau, Ruthie Foster and Taj Mahal whilst racking up a substantial back catalogue of albums that always hit the mark in terms of portraying the man’s positive outlook on life as well as communicating a passion for social justice and a determination to honour his musical forefathers.