Bob Gibson was a folksinger in the mid-'50s before folk singing became cool. Along with
Hamilton Camp, he made a big splash in 1961 with
At the Gate of Horn, and by the time he released
Where I'm Bound in 1964, the folk revival was winding down. Like a number of albums from the revival, much of
Where I'm Bound holds fast to tradition by featuring no more than a man and a guitar. "Betsy From Pike" calls to mind a tall tale of the dusty frontier, while "Fare Thee Well" evokes the religious symbolism of the Great Awakening.
Gibson breaks from tradition, however, in several ways. Even on solo pieces like the title cut and "The Waves Roll Out," the ring and harmony of his 12-string guitar provide a full, rich sound. Fancy lead guitar and banjo augment "Baby, I'm Gone Again" and "Stella's Got a New Dress," while a steady bassline fills out "Some Old Woman" and "Wastin' Your Time."
Gibson separates himself from the pack most impressively with a number of original songs, composed with the assistance of
Shel Silverstein. There's the happily bizarre "The New 'Frankie and Johnnie' Song"; the lovely "Fog Horn"; and the bluesy, sexist "Wastin' Your Time." Artistically,
Where I'm Bound stands as one of
Gibson's finest statements, so it's ironic, as Richie Unterberger points out in the liner notes, that
Gibson wouldn't record another album in the 1960s. The album is a fine late revival statement, and a perfect introduction to a talented folksinger. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.