Blues legend Eric Bibb has announced details of h*is new album ‘Ridin” and r *eleased lead single “Family”, listen here .
Following the release of ‘ Ridin’’ (on March 24 on Repute Records) Bibb will embark on an extensive headline UK tour throughout May 2023. Full dates and details below.
The follow-up to his multiple award-winning, critically acclaimed 2021 album ‘Dear America’, ‘ Ridin’‘ is a continuation of the vision that informs Bibb’s artistry as a modern-day Blues troubadour. Grounded in the folk and blues tradition with contemporary sensibilities, Bibb’s music continues to reflect his thoughts on current world events and his own lived experiences, whilst remaining entertaining, uplifting, inspirational and relevant.
“As a songwriter, studying African American history has always been a deep well of inspiration. The true stories of my ancestors and their communities are at the heart of many of the songs on my new album – Ridin’. Together with co-writer/producer Glen Scott we’ve created a concept album focusing on the ongoing task of understanding systemic racism and purging it from our world. For all its seriousness, Ridin’ is a funky, groovy, hopeful collection of songs that feature stellar guest appearances by Taj Mahal, Jontavious Willis, Russell Malone and Habib Koité. At a time when popular political movements are attempting to delete truth from the historical record, I feel called upon to sing songs that contribute to greater understanding and much-needed unity. The making of Ridin’ has been a labour of love. We hope you’ll enjoy the journey.” ERIC BIBB
The ethos for ‘Ridin” was hugely inspired by the oil painting by Eastman Johnson, A Ride For Liberty (1862) that depicts an African American family fleeing enslavement in the southern USA during the American Civil War. In Eric’s own words: “Johnson’s painting embodies all the hope, determination and courage that is at the core of the African American experience and needed now throughout the world.”
‘Ridin” is produced by Glen Scott and features Habib Koite, Taj Mahal, Steve Jordan, Tommy Sims, Harrison Kennedy, Russell Malone, Jontavious Willis as well as a host of brilliant session musicians & singers from around the globe.
A two-time Grammy Award nominee with multiple Blues Foundation awards, Eric Bibb is known and revered globally for having carved his own musical destiny with honesty and power. Eric’s father, the late Leon Bibb, was an activist, actor, and folk singer who marched at Selma with Dr. Martin Luther King. Eric’s youth was spent immersed in the Village folk scene. Names like Dylan, Baez, and Seeger were visitors to his home. He was deeply influenced by Odetta, Richie Havens, and Taj Mahal – who guests on ‘Ridin” – and he has synthesized all of that into his very own style.
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ERIC BIBB RIDIN’ TOUR – UK & IRELAND DATES
May 3 Basingstoke The Anvil
May 4 Pontardawe Arts Centre
May 5 Birmingham Town Hall
May 6 Wimborne Tivoli Theatre
May 8 Bury St. Edmunds The Apex
May 9 Bexhill on Sea De la Warr Pavilion
May 11 London King’s Place
May 13 Frome Cheese & Grain
May 14 Exeter Phoenix
May 16 Edinburgh Queen’s Hall
May 17 Glasgow Saint Lukes
May 19 Manchester Stoller Hall
May 20 Leeds City Varieties Music Hall
May 22 Whitley Bay Playhouse
May 23 Milton Keynes The Stables
May 25 Belfast Mandela Hall
May 26 Dublin Liberty Hall Theatre
May 28 Limerick Dolan’s
May 29 Cork Cyprus Avenue
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ERIC BIBB RIDIN’ TRACK LIST
01 Family
02 Ridin’
03 Blues Funky Like Dat feat. Taj Mahal & Jontavious Willis
04 The Ballad of John Howard Griffin feat. Russell Malone
05 500 Miles
06 Tulsa Town
07 Onwards (Interlude)
08 Hold The Line feat. Russell Malone
09 I Got My Own feat. Amar Sundy
10 Call Me By My Name feat. Harrison Kennedy
11 Joybells
12 Sinner Man with Eric Bibb String Band (Live at Wheatland Festival)
13 Free feat. Habib Koité
14 People You Love
15 Church Bells (Interlude)
