In the Real World

Son of singer, actor and civil rights activist Leon Bibb, Eric Bibb carries forward his father’s legacy in all the right ways on In the Real World. The album’s 15 songs, some covers and some originals, draw on elements of urban blues, country blues, rhythm’n’blues, folk and, most pointedly, gospel. ‘Walk Steady On’, an anthemic expression of righteous resistance, directly accesses the 18th-century hymnal database. Set to an easy walking rhythm, ‘Make a Change’ enjoins the beholder with the notion, ‘[If you] wanna see a change in the world, make a change in you.’ Buoyed by Esbjörn Hazelius’ sinuous fiddling and gorgeous vocals by Shaneeka Simon, Sepideh Vaziri and Arezo Vaziri, Bibb wades into the deeply soulful waters of ‘This River (Chains & Free).’ Cleverly rendered tributes to Jackie Robinson (‘Stealin’ Home’) and Mavis Staples (‘Dear Mavis’) contribute to the inspiring nature of In the Real World.