Dear America

Over five decades and 46 albums, singer/songwriter has entwined the messages of hope, social justice, and empowerment in his art. 's empathic, folksy approach to societal difficulties holds court even when his lyrics express anger, spirituality, love, or prophecy. Recorded in Brooklyn, Nashville, London, Chicago, and Quebec, is a tough-love letter to his homeland. Aided by a star-studded guest list, he puts their collective and individual talents to excellent use on these 13 original songs. Opener "Whole Lotta Lovin'" is a sweet, tender folk-blues. In his warm, slightly grainy baritone, he sings: "Give me a little bit of jazz, a lit bit of blues, a little bit of calypso, honey you can't lose/Little bit o' rockin', little bit o' roll/whole lotta gospel music, soothes my soulâ?¦" atop a fingerpicked, West African highlife-style guitar, jazzman 's upright bassline, and a small backing chorus. "Born of a Woman" is anti-misogynist Delta blues driven by electric slide guitar, handclaps, and longtime collaborator 's duet vocals. "Whole World's Got the Blues" emerges from a hypnotic, slow-burning Delta blues that recalls and and features on lead guitar and on drums. 's lyric acknowledges blues as a feeling that haunts the entire world at present -- and he can't shake it. The title track commences with a spoken quote from amid fifes and flutes that sound like . Deep-blue moans, electric resophonic guitars and mandolins, swampy drums, and handclaps help to carry 's lyrics with ragged force. 's dirty pedal steel guitar, a Hammond B-3, and funky drums join to become the conduit for the grimy "Different Picture," which depicts the bleak history of violence and unrest across the U.S. with stellar backing from . "Tell Yourself" offers a breezy series of hard-won affirmations above the layered guitars. It's a break from the hard stuff that re-emerges with the quietly devastating "Emmet's Ghost" (about Emmet Till), pairing acoustic guitar and 's upright bass. "White and Black" is a gorgeous folk-rock waltz that holds a mirror up to the history of racism, past and present. The two parts of "Talkin' 'Bout a Train" are choogling blues tunes with harmonica ace , brass, organ, and funky NOLA-style drumming. shares lead vocals with on the glorious, -esque "Love's Kingdom" before closing with "Oneness of Love," in duet with and accompanied by a string quartet. It's arguably the most resonant paean to committed relationship has ever written. Despite a catalogue of fine, groundbreaking albums, stands apart. It's a tender, wise, album-length manifesto of love for a place, history, and people that haven't always loved him back. Throughout it, he invites listeners to abandon small thinking and hate and to engage empathy in order to set real change in motion. Ultimately, is 's masterpiece. ~ Thom Jurek