VOA常速英语2008年-Blues Music Awards Nominee Eric Bibb Adds Touch

By Doug Levine
Washington
24 March 2008

One of the leading contenders for Acoustic¹ Artist of the Year at the upcoming Blues² Music Awards is singer and guitarist Eric Bibb. As VOA's Doug Levine tells us, Bibb adds a touch of gospel to his repertoire³ on his latest album, "Get Onboard."

Gospel meets blues on Eric Bibb's new release, which features an adaptation of a civil rights anthem⁴, "Stayed On Freedom." Bibb's album, while intersecting with soul and gospel influences, is steeped mostly in acoustic blues and folk.

Eric's musical training began at home. His father, a 1960s' folk singer whose friends included Pete Seeger, Odetta and Paul Robeson, introduced Eric to the blues.

Eric says, "He was my first musical hero and role model," adding that, "My performing repertoire was really based on my dad's."

Over the years, Eric Bibb has perfected his gift for storytelling. From a call-and-response duet with singer Ruthie Foster on "Conversation," to an ode to the birthplace of the blues, Memphis, Tennessee, on "New Beale Street Blues," Bibb strives to connect his words and music with life's trials and tribulations⁵.

Eric Bibb's competition for Acoustic Artist of the Year at this year's Blues Music Awards includes Bobby Rush, Doug MacLeod, Mary Flower, Guy Davis and Fruteland Jackson. The 29th Annual Blues Music Awards will take place in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi on May 8.

1 acoustic   

adj.听觉的，声音的；(乐器)原声的

参考例句：

• The hall has a fine acoustic.这个大厅的传音效果很好。
• Animals use a whole rang of acoustic, visual,and chemical signals in their systems of communication.动物利用各种各样的听觉、视觉和化学信号来进行交流。

2 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

3 repertoire   

n.(准备好演出的)节目，保留剧目；(计算机的)指令表，指令系统， <美>(某个人的)全部技能；清单，指令表

参考例句：

• There is an extensive repertoire of music written for the flute.有很多供长笛演奏的曲目。
• He has added considerably to his piano repertoire.他的钢琴演奏曲目大大增加了。

4 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

5 tribulations   

n.苦难( tribulation的名词复数 )；艰难；苦难的缘由；痛苦

参考例句：

• the tribulations of modern life 现代生活的苦恼
• The film is about the trials and tribulations of adolescence. 这部电影讲述了青春期的麻烦和苦恼。 来自《简明英汉词典》