Bibb, Eric / Dear America
Album: Dear America   Collection:Blues
Artist:Bibb, Eric   Added:Oct 2022
Label:Provogue  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2022-11-09 Pull Date: 2023-01-11 Charts: Blues
Week Ending: Jan 8 Jan 1 Dec 25 Dec 18 Dec 11 Dec 4 Nov 27 Nov 13
Airplays: 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2

Recent Airplay
1. Feb 02, 2023: Traditions
Emmett's Ghost
4. Dec 24, 2022: Music Casserole
Different Picture
2. Jan 04, 2023: Run-Away Radio
Whole Lotta Lovin'
5. Dec 15, 2022: Traditions
Dear America
3. Dec 29, 2022: Traditions
Whole Lotta Lovin'
6. Dec 07, 2022: No One Gets out of these Blues Alive
Whole World's Got the Blues

Album Review
Be Sharp
Reviewed 2022-10-24
FOLK BLUES

This excellent record from ex-pat Eric Bibb (who resides in Sweden) is a (tough) love letter to his native US. The moods range from somber to uplifting; the content is sometimes righteously angry, sometimes sweet, always thoughtful. America’s past and present racial divides are examined from various angles. Some impressive guests contribute. The enclosed booklet with lyrics, song notes, and photos is a nice addition. FCC clean

1 ** Light-hearted folk song about simple pleasures: music, soul food, lovin’. (3:35)
2 ** Mid-tempo R&B calls out men’s violence toward women. Terrific slide guitar. (3:50)
3 * Tough blues crawl. Things are not ok. Full band incl shredding lead guitar. (5:36)
4 ** Title song opens with famous MLK quote; then we’re asked, what will we do about America’s hypocrisies? and when will we make amends? Stunning. (3:49)
5 ** Soulful ballad contrasts scenes of Black life in America: “race riots”; milestones by musicians & athletes; drugs; the church. Has a hopeful refrain. (5:38)
6 Slow folk song about staying positive. Mix of acoustic & electric guitars. (2:55)
7 * Slow ballad. Reflecting on Emmett Till’s photos & what they still mean today. (3:13)
8 * Mixed tempos. Calls out our implicit biases. Stirring choral ending. (4:39)
9 Gentle folk song about resilience, forgiveness, and being good to yourself. (2:42)
10 Slow blues. Train song with various blues and folk references. Blues harp. (4:11)
11 Another train song, this one more metaphorical. Funky rhythm & horns. (4:07)
12 * Uplifting soul music w three great male voices. A real feel-good song. (4:57)
13 Slow love song. Terrific singing (especially from female guest) but too sappy. (3:17)

Track Listing
1. Whole Lotta Lovin'   7. Emmett's Ghost
2. Born of a Woman   8. White & Black
3. Whole World's Got the Blues   9. Along the Way
4. Dear America   10. Talkin' 'bout a Train (Part 1)
5. Different Picture   11. Talkin' 'bout a Train (Part 2)
6. Tell Yourself   12. Love's Kingdom
  13. One-Ness of Love