Today’s leading proponent of the rural blues, Eric Bibb, is becoming known also an impressive composer, penning everything here as he mixes and matches support from small group to Spartan duets. His voice is richly avuncular, telling stories as well as delivering messages as on “Make A Change” and “Everybody’s Got A Right”. With mandolinist Glen Scott, he becomes a stripped down Rev Gary Davis on “Judgment Day” and “Dear Mavis” while a church-ish choir adds to “The River (Chains & Free) and a riveting story about baseball icon Jackie Robinson is delivered on “Stealin’ Home” mixing metaphors of baseball and the Bible. Picking strings and prophesying themes.