Eric Bibb isn’t trying to impress anyone. As one of the world’s preeminent living bluesmen, he doesn’t have to.
But he does want you to know what he thinks, what he values. And he does just that with Ridin’, the powerful follow-up to his open letter to all of us, Dear America, which was released in 2021. The title song on Ridin’, which recounts some of the highs and lows of the civil rights movement (“ridin’ on the freedom train”) is testimony to his sincere beliefs. But its spirit is mostly optimistic, characteristic of Bibb’s upbeat narrative approach (though “Tulsa Town” does tell the grim story of the 1921 Tulsa massacre).
Bibb appeared to be destined to take a prominent place music world. His father, Leon, was a prominent folk singer in New York City and his uncle, John Lewis, was a jazz composer and pianist with the prestigious Modern Jazz Quartet. Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Odetta and Paul Robeson were visitors to Bibb’s boyhood home, and Robeson was Bibb’s godfather. But Bibb made an unexpected choice to pursue a career in blues when he became fascinated with pre-war blues. A true jet-setter, Bibb’s career has taken him back and forth to Europe, and he has lived in Sweden for extended periods of time.
After a couple of isolated recordings, Bibb began recording in earnest in the 1990s, and his discography already includes more than 20 albums. Like his contemporaries, such as Guy Davis, Keb’ Mo’ and Otis Taylor, Bibb is no mere country-blues mimic. His music includes many influences. Highlights include 2001’s Painting Signs, 2004’s Friends, 2012’s collaboration with Malian Habib Koite, Brothers in Bamako, 2013’s fine Jericho Road, 2017’s Migration Blues, 2018’s Global Griot, and Dear America, which has been hailed as his masterpiece.
Ridin’ is right up there with Bibb’s best work. Save two traditional songs arranged by Bibb (“500 Miles” and “Sinner Man”) the tracks were all penned by Bibb. Among the better songs are the title track, “Family,” “Tulsa Town,” “Call Me By My Name,” and “Free,” performed with Habib Koite. “The Ballad of John Howard Griffin” piqued my interest to check out Griffin’s story in Black Like Me.
In addition to Koite, Russell Malone, Harrison Kennedy, Taj Mahal and Jontavious Willis joined Bibb on the album as guest artists.
About the author: Bill Wilcox is a roots music enthusiast recently relocated from the Washington, DC area to Philadelphia, PA and back again.