Stony Plain Records announces an October 26 release date for Grammy-nominated roots music troubadour Eric Bibb’s new 2-CD set, Global Griot (“GREE-O”), distributed in the USA by ADA and in Canada on Warner Music. Recorded in Sweden, Canada and several other studios around the world in late 2017, Global Griot features special guest appearances by World Music star Habib Koité, with whom Eric recorded the acclaimed Brothers in Bamako album in 2012, as well as acclaimed West African musician Solo Cissokho, a master of the kora, the 22-stringed harp creating cascades of notes and beautifully-addictive grooves. Eric’s long-time friend and music compadre Harrison Kennedy is also a special guest, singing on “Brazos River Blues,” “Black, Brown & White,” “Listen for the Spirit” and “Spirit Day.”
Watch a video about the making of Global Griot here: Global Griot EPK
“‘Global Griot’ - two words that describe many of my friends and myself, as well,” says Eric Bibb about his new album. “Connecting to the West African tradition of storytelling and oral history through music, this album features brothers and sisters from around the globe - serving the listener a tasty gumbo, spiced with hope for these challenging times.”
On Global Griot, the masterful Eric Bibb adapts the West African historian and oral storyteller tradition with his own background of blues, folk and world music for a scintillating blend of sound that is absolutely mesmerizing. Bibb also pulls no punches with his songs that tackle our current state of affairs in the world, with socio/political commentary on everything from our desire for conspicuous consumption (“We Don’t Care,” the album’s first single out today) to the present occupant of the White House (“What's He Gonna Say Today”).
Watch the “We Don’t Care” lyric video
About Eric Bibb:
Eric Bibb was born into a musical family and raised in New York City. His father was noted folk singer Leon Bibb, and his uncle was John Lewis, the world-famous jazz pianist and composer of the Modern Jazz Quartet. Legendary actor/singer/activist Paul Robeson was Eric’s godfather, and some of the musical friends who could be seen and heard around the Bibb household in those days included Pete Seeger, Odetta and Bob Dylan.
Eric got his first guitar at age seven and by 13 had entered New York City’s famed High School of Music and Art, studying several instruments, as well as vocals. When he was 16, his father asked him to play guitar in the house band for his local TV talent show.
In 1970, Eric left New York City’s Columbia University for Paris, meeting legendary guitarist Mickey Baker, and began to focus on blues guitar. He later moved to Sweden and travelled extensively throughout Europe, writing and performing his own songs in festivals and clubs all around the continent.
Over the course of many album releases in the intervening years, Eric Bibb has been nominated for multiple Blues Music Awards in several categories. He received a Grammy nomination for his 2017 album, Migration Blues, in addition to one for the Shakin’ a Tailfeather children’s album (which also featured Taj Mahal). Some of his other noted albums included A Family Affair, which teamed him up with his father for a series of duets and solo tunes; and Friends, which included special guests Taj Mahal, Odetta, Charlie Musselwhite and Guy Davis.
Eric first met Habib Koité 15 years ago, when both were invited to play on the album Mali to Memphis(Putumayo). They struck a chord, exchanged a few notes, then a few songs. A connection was established, friendship followed. Both recognized that blues has its roots in Africa. The dialogue continued and a follow-up meeting launched the project that would become Brothers in Bamako in 2012. Both men draw on the organic material of tradition and the world realities that demand their comment, to release a sung vision, a musical cry of hope.
Eric Bibb – Global Griot – Track Listing
Act One:
Gathering of the Tribes - featuring Solo Cissokho
Wherza Money At
Human River
What's He Gonna Say Today
Brazos River Blues
We Don't Care – featuring Habib Koité
Black, Brown & White
Listen for the Spirit
Hoist up the Banner
Mami Wata / Sebastian's Tune - featuring Habib Koité
Send Me Your Jesus
A Room For You
Remember Family
Act Two:
Race & Equality
Grateful
All Because
Spirit Day - featuring Solo Cissokho
Let God
Last Night I had the Strangest Dream
Picture a New World (instrumental)
New Friends - featuring Linda Tillery
Mole in the Ground
Michael, Row da Boat Ashore
Needed Time
“We Don’t Care” Purchase Links: http://smarturl.it/sqgnxd
