MASTERFUL guitarist and singer Eric Bibb puts heart, body and soul into his music.

The skill of his dextrous fingers dancing over the frets combines with his rich, soulful voice to create a "tingle factor" that leaves the listeners feeling they have witnessed something special.

Bibb is a master craftsman as a finger-style guitarist and, when the song demands it, he sings with a tremendous passion.

He enthralled a capacity audience at the Oak House, Pocklington, last night with his musicianship and stories from the road.

Looking dapper in his smart suit and wide-brimmed hat, Bibb sat on a chair and opened with a wry song about "having champagne habits on a beer salary".

He was then joined by Eric Clapton's bassist, Dave Bronze, fresh from last Friday's television appearance in the George Harrison tribute concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

The two musicians complemented each other beautifully, playing gems like Panama Hat, Kokomo and To Know You, a lovely love song.

After the interval, Bibb appeared, minus his jacket, to play a rousing blues number called Come Back Baby. He followed this with a lyrical love song, Dance Me To The End Of Love, which is due to be the final track on his forthcoming album, Friends.

Sebastian's Tune was a delightful, foot-tapping instrumental. Such was the intensity of his playing that his amplifier was in danger of being bounced off the stage as he pounded the beat with his feet.

By this time the audience was joining in by either clapping or singing, creating a great atmosphere.

Bibb responded by rising to his feet to give a prodigious performance of I Heard The Angels Sing - a powerful song by the late Blind Gary Davis.

He left the stage with the audience yelling for more and returned for a two-song encore, before leaving with the words "It's been really lovely, thank you".

Thank you, Eric.

Updated: 12:02 Monday, April 05, 2004