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Eric Bibb Listening to "Rainbow People" so many years after it was recorded evokes a whole rain-bow of feelings in me! More than 30 years later, I realize that what I was musically passionate about in 1977 still fascinates me today. Listening to my fledgling trips down the blues path makes me smile with the knowledge that there's no substitute for putting in your time. The fact is, 30 years ago I wanted to sing and play like I do today. It sure has been a journey! My love of world music sounds and jazz found expression in “Catalina Estimada” and “Encuentro en la Estacion.” Writing for strings has been an interest since my years at the High School of Music & Art (seems like a lifetime ago!) and I can clearly hear the influence of some of my favourite musicians: Milton Nasciamento and A.C. Jobim with Claus Ogerman. I'm still in contact with some of the friends on “Rainbow People” today: Cyndee Peters and I still perform, write and philosophize together. Rudy Smith (the Trinidadian steel pan vir-tuoso) is someone I'd love to record with again. That goes for saxophonist Ed Epstein, too. Stockholm was always, and still is, a Mecca for musicians from all over the world with adventurous spirits. Speaking of adventurous spirits, recording engineer Jan-Eric Persson has been my friend and supporter since our first meeting 32 years ago. His love of the true sound of voices and acoustic instruments has been a tremendous blessing throughout my career. We continue to work together. For all of you who have been following my music, “Rainbow People” will give you an idea of how far I've come on my musical journey. For me, musical ideas are like children, for those of you who are hearing me for the first time, you might want to have a listen to some of my recent work to hear how the children of the Rainbow People have grown. Your friend, Eric Bibb January 6th 2009
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