by Al Campbell
Home to Me is the forth U.S. release from acoustic roots chameleon Eric Bibb. These 13 tracks, the majority penned by Bibbs, encompass his deep musical debt to folk (maintaining a healthy dose of his early Woody Guthrie influence), soul (a respectful cover of Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home to Me"), and gospel, underscored by a consistent blues base, not unlike the first Keb Mo disc. Bibb combines his poetic flair with political concerns and universal issues on "Mandela Is Free," "World War Blues," and "Walk the Walk," while special guest Taj Mahal is featured on the concluding duet "Sing Your Song."