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C. GIBBS is one of those who die a little
with every show. With the applause, of course, he’s
back among the living, uninjured, but exhausted, like
after a successful stunt. All the same, it is almost impossible
to play music with this much intensity, with every fiber
of his body, every timbre of his voice, without losing
a piece of yourself.
The
new album “Medicine Bag” is the sixth full
length record of this musician and singer from Brooklyn,
NY, who teams up with collaborators such as drummer Russell
Simins (John Spencer Blues Explosion) and Kristin Mueller
(Lucinda Black Bear), as well as Swiss bass and cello
player Frank Heer (Melomane, Bingo Palace).
The
album will be released by the Zurich based label NOI RECORDINGS.
For years, C. GIBBS has had a special connection to Switzerland,
where he enjoys not only an enthusiastic fan base, but
also has a number of close friends.
With
the release of medicine MEDICINE BAG on Noi Recordings,
this “Swiss-American friendship” takes shape
in eleven new songs, two video clips and a tour of Switzerland.
“It was our vision to capture the enthralling energy
that Christian Gibbs releases during a live show on a
studio recording – a live album, but without the
audience,”, says Leo Sanfilippo of Noi Recordings.
The
songs were recorded in a couple of days, partly in Brooklyn,
partly in Admiral James T.’s studio in Winterthur,
Switzerland. The film music composer Balz Bachmann mixed
and mastered the record.
After
Growing up in San Diego, CA, the 20 year old moved to
London in 1986 with a guitar in his hand and a blazing
fire in his heart. He soon found work with the british
New Wave Band MODERN ENGLISH. But after extensive touring
and an MTV hit (“I Melt With You”), the young
whirlwind tired of playing second fiddle for other stars.
He moved to New York and took up with FOETUS, the band
of industrial pioneer JG THIRLWELL, and also formed THE
MORNING GLORIES, a trio fronted by Gibbs.
A
show at New Yorks famed club CBGB’s set a new course
at the end of the 90s. An A&R-Scout was fascinated
by the raw energy and melodic power of the band. Soon
thereafter, Gibbs signed a contract as solo artist with
Atlantic Records. The ensuing epic pop album “29
Over Me”, produced by Paul Fox (XTC, Björk,
They Might Be Giants) was promoted by an extensive US
tour with
JOHN MELLENCAMP and SON VOLT.
Styles
and directions are changed along C. Gibbs’ moods.
No matter what was on the radio at home in California
in the 70s, it found its way into his music: Eagles, Young,
Dylan. Springsteen, Beach Boys, Diddley. Beatles, Olivia
Newton John, Roky Erickson. Later on, he was influenced
by Punk rock, then country provided the outlet for all
the big issues in later life: loss, addiction, reconciliation.
Each
of his records opens a new chapter. “Parade of Small
Horses” (2005) was one of the finest Americana longplayers
of the last decade. “29 Over Me” (1999)
Takes its listener to an eclectic journey into Westcoast-Pop.
“Capo My Heart And Other Bear Songs” (2008)
comes with all the makings of a hit album, aided by the
wonderful combo LUCINDA BLACK BEAR. The music flows weightlessly,
enchanted by melody, causing to wonder if this is really
the same man, who in the early 90s screamingly exorcised
his rock’n’roll demons with the furious MORNING
GLORIES.
And
now MEDICINE BAG: The new songs pick up at the breaking
points of his career; open wounds, the callow, self-doubt,
trials and tribulations. For example in the title track,
basically a blues riff. But Gibbs opens up the rusty riffs
to create an instant classic - groovy, catchy rock music
in wide screen.
Living
room stadium rock for people who don’t like arenas,
MEDICINE BAG is not an overly polished album, maybe even
C. GIBBS’ most unwieldy, his loudest and his most
quiet at the same time. Full of humor, yet angry.
But
C. GIBBS – according to Swiss magazine “Züritipp”
optically “the cuddly version of Lou Reed”
– reveals on his new album his most personal and
surprising collection of songs. A truly great piece for
people new to his music as well as fans.
***
“C.
Gibbs is so talented that it's frightening. His curly
hair expands like a halo from his head and threatens to
swallow you whole. His music is just as tangled and enveloping.
He exudes music from his very pores, and his soulful voice
comes from the deepest place. You may detect echoes of
Elliot Smith, Neil Young, The Beatles but his vision is
something uniquely his own. He creates timeless, transcendant
music that embeds itself into your psyche.” - JG
THIRLWELL of Foetus |