Review: Eric Bibb ‘In The Real World’
By Martine Ehrenclou
Three-time Grammy nominee and Blues legend Eric Bibb returns with yet another message of hope amidst a world of chaos. In The Real World brings a sharp dose of reality to the listener, conveyed with a silky voice and beautiful acoustic guitar, alongside some of the best musicians around. Eric Bibb’s newest effort is a deeply moving collection of blues and roots tracks soaked in wisdom.
Bibb’s career spans five decades and includes three Grammy nominations and multiple Blues Music Award wins. In the storytelling tradition, each of the 12 tracks on In The Real World features stories with lessons about love and faith, current social issues including war, and the conflict that’s saturated the human race.
Recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios and produced, arranged and mixed by Glen Scott, Bibb’s new album is set to release October 18th via Stony Plain Records. Following Bibb’s 2023 studio record Ridin’ and Live at The Scala Theatre album released earlier this year, In The Real World is a salve to the soul, delivered by one of the true greats of roots music.
“It really tells me where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m headed,” Bibb explains. “Thematically, it’s about the you-me-we connection. It’s about the world we’ve created for ourselves and the world we long for.”
As is always the way with Eric Bibb, he delivers truths with a gentle voice. The album opens with “Take The Stage,” a softly sung rootsy tune about how our world is crumbling, lit on fire with anger and rage. But Bibb reminds us that there’s a new world waiting, one that’s renewed. The acoustic guitar is grounded in simplicity, warmed by subtle slide guitar (Robbie McIntosh,) and Bibb’s soulful voice, backed by gospel-esque singers and Hammond organ (Glen Scott). It’s all about creating top quality music that isn’t put through a meat grinder of mechanics. All the musicians are perfectly in sync, not unlike the new world that Bibb sings about.
More country blues, but this time with groove, fiddle (Esbjörn Hazelius), superb electric and slide guitar by Robbie McIntosh, and banjo (Glen Scott). “Walk Steady” beats with energy, percussion and of course the delightful fiddle and backing vocals. Bibb is deep in storyteller mode, ushering in reminders with his expressive voice about leaning into faith when the path gets too rocky or weary.
Complete with finger snaps, Bibb focuses on our right to do what we want as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone on “Everybody’s Got A Right.” Catchy acoustic guitar, bass and slide guitar mesmerizes. And before you know it, you realize that Bibb’s message isn’t about black or white, but about humans. Slinky slide guitar weaves in and out of this gem, with backing gospel singers adding to the richness.
Bibb’s forté for masterful storytelling doesn’t stop there—he’s a gifted songwriter, guitarist and singer. He collaborated on most of the tracks with Glenvin Anthony Scott who also produced the album. In “Make A Change” Bibb sings, “Want to make a change in the world, make a change in you.”
Bibb’s songs on this record aren’t blasters—you have to settle down to listen. They aren’t going to amp you up, but they’ll certainly instill peace, and for some, identify truths that will hit you where they’re supposed to.
Resonator guitar and harmonica open “Stealin’ Home” a compelling story about Jackie Robinson in 1955, who as one of the Dodgers won the World Series. Bibb’s story is so personal, so moving. He brings you into his world at that time when racism was at a peak, with expert percussion and guitar that enhance the story.
Bibb goes for the blues with a flash of brilliance on “King of the Castle,” an acoustic blues tune with one heck of a bass/guitar line and some fine harp . A finely wound story, Bibb sings about living on the streets in a cardboard box under the freeway. The electric guitar weeps honey tones, the harp moans. “Tried to live in the shelter, too crowded for my taste.” And Bibb, the master storyteller, reveals the tale of a homeless man with such detail, you can see it all unfold right before you.
“In the Real World” moves into more modern blues/R&B territory with some jazz flourishes and strings, complete with tuneful electric guitar. It’s an expansive song that captures a world based on love and kindness.
Grounded in blues and roots traditions with a contemporary spin, In The Real World by Eric Bibb is a standout.
Highly recommended.
Pre-order the album here
“Make A Change”
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