© Bluestronomical Publishing Inc. 2009

Billy Gibson
Live At The North Atlantic Blues Festival
North Atlantic Blues

Billy Gibson is a modern day staple of the Beale Street music scene in Memphis, Tenn. He has performed there for over a decade. Originally from Clinton, Miss., Gibson developed his jazz harmonica technique while studying under Pete Pedersen in Memphis. Gibson’s music is wrapped in many genres but has a foundation in blues.

Recorded live at 2007 North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland, Maine, this DVD reveals the intimacy of the respected festival and captures the essence of a summer blues festival. As if they’ve been given the opening spot for a major headliner, the band comes out with all their guns blazing. In this hour long performance, Gibson – a natural at working a crowd and putting on a show – leaves no doubt in the minds of the viewers. Each will conclude that he is a powerhouse harp player. The six song set isn’t strictly blues – you’ll hear the theme from The Flintstones TV show – but the pumped-up crowd doesn’t seem to care. Instead, they feed off the radiating energy that Gibson gives off the stage. For example, on ‘Down Home,’ he struts around the stage like a caged animal that has just been set free. On ‘Bad Boy,’ he sucks and blows his harmonica past the point of hyperventilation. Gibson is a monster harp player but his invitingly warm and friendly vocals do not possess the same power. Cedric Keel’s lengthy rock concert style drum solo could have been omitted without removing any of the band’s genuine enthusiasm. Guest Charlie Wood – another mainstay of modern day Beale – demonstrates his brilliant keyboard talent on a couple songs. David Bowen moves his guitar and vocals from the background to the foreground on the finale ‘Polk Salad Annie’. Here, Gibson, a busy entertainer, permanently attaches his mouth onto his harp and plays so many notes; you’ll be exhausted from the experience.

The concert was filmed during the day with the stage in the shade and the crowd in the full sun. This contrasting combination has produced some dark images of the band. Six cameras provide stage views from different angles as well as close-up artist views that capture the true feeling being put into the performance as well as unusual facial contortions. The simple DVD authoring doesn’t present a choice for 5.1 sound, so the soundboard quality audio is assumed to be available in stereo only. This DVD will be best used as a promotional demo video of Gibson’s energetic show and gymnastic harp capabilities.

- Tim Holek -


Southwest Blues DVD Review - May 2009

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