Stony Plain Records, under an exclusive worldwide license agreement from Repute Records, announces the new album release from 2024’s “Best Traditional Blues Album” GRAMMY nominee and Blues/Roots music legend Eric Bibb, In The Real World, on October 18th. Available on both CD and vinyl formats, the CD contains all 15 album tracks, with the vinyl version totaling 12, plus an included download card with the additional three tracks.
In The Real World is the latest album from blues troubadour Eric Bibb, following his Grammy-nominated 2023 studio release, Ridin’ and Live at The Scala Theatre album, released earlier this year. Recorded at Peter Gabriel’s iconic Real World Studios and produced, arranged and mixed by Glen Scott, the new disc is a vivid representation of Bibb's musical and personal evolution, offering a glimpse into the world he's experienced and the hope he continues to foster through his music.
“There’s a wholeness about In The Real World that deeply moves me,” Bibb reflects. “It feels like Glen Scott and I have reached a milestone on our collaborative journey. Musically, the album feels like a self-portrait because it truly represents my influences.”
With a career spanning five decades, three Grammy nominations, and numerous Blues Foundation awards, Eric Bibb has solidified his legacy as a legendary figure in the blues and roots genre. In The Real World stands as a testament to his evolution as an artist, deeply rooted in the storytelling tradition of the blues; "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.”
Recording at Real World Studios provided the perfect backdrop for this deeply introspective album. “The sheer natural beauty of the grounds and the caring hospitality of the staff were inspiring, to say the least. We worked with a terrific engineer, Katie May. If I had to describe the sessions in one word, it would be ‘flow’,” Bibb shares. “What’s particularly enjoyable for me, listening to this album, is the prominence of my guitar. Glen Scott’s arrangements and production are a joy to hear. All the musicians involved made great contributions. Robbie McIntosh’s outstanding playing, in particular, is a treat. Every track is a favorite, and the duet with Lily James is a gift to my soul."
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.
ERIC BIBB - IN THE REAL WORLD – Track Listing and Credits
1. TAKE THE STAGE (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar
Glen Scott - Drums, Percussion, Bass, Electric Guitar, Hammond Organ, Backing Vocals
Robbie McIntosh - Slide Guitar
2. WALK STEADY ON (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal
Glen Scott - Drums, Percussion, Bass, Banjo, Electric Guitar, Mandolin, Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer, Backing Vocals, Programming
Robbie McIntosh - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar
Esbjörn Hazelius - Fiddle, Cittern
Sara Bergkvist Scott - Backing Vocals
3. EVERYBODY’S GOT A RIGHT (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar
Glen Scott, Johnathan L Mongi, Emmanuel Enwokeforo - Backing Vocals
Agnese Stengrevics, Chris McGreevy, Glen Scott - Additional Finger snaps
Robbie McIntosh - Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar
4. BEST I CAN (Eric Bibb)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar
David Davidson - Violin
David Angell - Violin
Monisa Angell - Viola
Carole Rabinowitz - Cello
5. MAKE A CHANGE (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar
Glen Scott - Bass, Percussion, Electric Guitar, Synths, Backing Vocals
Paul Robinson - Drums
Robbie McIntosh - Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar
Emilia Franklin - Backing Vocals
6. THIS RIVER (CHAINS & FREE) (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar
Glen Scott - String Arrangement, Programming, Backing Vocals
Shaneeka Simon - Solo Adlib Vocals, Backing Vocals
Sepideh Vaziri, Arezo Vaziri - Backing Vocals
Esbjörn Hazelius - Fiddle
7. STEALIN’ HOME (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal
Glen Scott - Drums, Bass, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Programming, Backing Vocals
Robbie McIntosh - Solo Slide Guitar
Michael Jerome Browne - Harmonica
Sepideh Vaziri, Arezo Vaziri, Shaneeka Simon - Backing Vocals
8. IF THERE’S ANY RULE (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Nylon String Guitar
Glen Scott - Drums, Percussion, Bass, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Wurlitzer, Synths
Robbie McIntosh - Solo Slide Guitar
Esbjörn Hazelius - Fiddle
9. KING OF THE CASTLE (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar
Glen Scott - Drums, Percussion, Bass, Electric Guitar, Hammond
Robbie McIntosh - Solo Electric Guitar
10. NESHOBA COUNTY (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Banjo Guitar
Robbie McIntosh - Lead Electric Guitar
Glen Scott - Drums, Percussion, Bass, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer, Synths, Backing Vocals
Robbie McIntosh - Solo Electric Guitar
Sepideh Vaziri, Arezo Vaziri, Shaneeka Simon - Backing Vocals
11. DEAR MAVIS (Eric Bibb)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar
Glen Scott - Synths
12. ROLL ON BUDDY (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott/Chuck Anthony)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Banjo Guitar
Chuck Anthony - Solo Electric Guitar, Wah Electric Guitar
Robbie McIntosh - Solo Electric Guitar
Greger Andersson - Harmonica
Sepideh Vaziri - Adlib Solo Vocals
Glen Scott - Drums, Percussion, Bass, Electric Guitar, MiniMoog, Hammond Organ, Backing Vocals
13. JUDGEMENT DAY (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar
Glen Scott - Mandolin
14. THE REAL WORLD (Eric Bibb/Glenvin Anthony Scott)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Nylon String Guitar
Glen Scott - Drums, Percussion, Bass, Rhodes, Backing Vocal
Robbie McIntosh - Electric Guitar
David Davidson - Violin
David Angell - Violin
Monisa Angell - Viola
Carole Rabinowitz - Cello
15. VICTORY VOICES FEAT. LILY JAMES [BONUS TRACK] (Eric Bibb/Gordon Cyrus)
Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar
Lily James - Lead Vocal
Robbie McIntosh - Electric Guitar
Glen Scott - Drums, Percussion, Bass, Electric Guitar, Piano, Synths
Backing Vocals
Sepideh Vaziri - Backing Vocals
Carole Rabinowitz - Cello
