Bobby Bishop - 'Everyday Man'

Everyday Man is one of those releases that is going to get attention -- either because it is so good or because it is going to make some folks extremely uncomfortable. Listening to songs about the life that Bobby Bishop willingly lives in order to help others can lead to a fairly ugly picture the next time you look in the mirror. Bobby captures and delivers a thought-provoking yet humbling journey as he shares his life, thoughts and discoveries about himself in this CD.

Bobby Bishop's second major full-length release, Everyday Man is one of those albums that gets better each time you listen to it. As a songwriter, Bobby has come a long way from his Government Name days. While there are plenty of good writers and storytellers out there, his material is so real and so raw that you are drawn in and let's face it - the "real" stuff is what hooks us! For this project, each and every song was written straight from the heart of a man searching for meaning in the triumphs and tragedies of life in the hood. Every line is based on his own experiences and the experiences of those he sees around him daily. As a social worker in the inner city who works with abused and neglected children and youth who have made bad choices, he sees plenty. But he goes a step further too -- he lives in one of those neighborhoods that most of us would worry about even visiting. Why? To make a difference. His heart for the lost shows through every note and that alone makes this a winner.

The thing is, it's not just Bobby Bishop's heart and strong songwriting skills that make Everyday Man a winner. There is a lot more about this project to admire. Musically, each song is dead on with beats that complement the lyrics without ever overpowering them. His delivery (even when it is so rapid fire, it leaves you speechless) is smooth and clean and his chorus lines are practically infectious, keeping the tunes in your head long after the CD has finished playing.

We even get to hear Bobby sing on this release as the title track is sans rap except for one verse. Not my favorite tune at first, "Everyday Man" has grown on me the more I have listened. It was never that it was a bad song, it was just, well ... not rap and that was what I had come to expect from Bobby. And if the truth be told, it hit close to home, making me more than a little uncomfortable. Like many others, I want to feel like I have "made it" in my field. On one level, "making it" in my mind meant having the title, the money and all of the trappings that come with success. The problem with that is that in ministry, "making it" isn't about money, power or fame. It is about reaching people and making a difference in their lives. If you get so big that you're larger than life, you're too far away from your people to make any difference at all. Bobby sharing that realization made me look at my own reflection and part of that picture wasn't one that I liked.

"Step 1, Step 2" is another song that makes life uncomfortable but it has been a favorite through multiple listens. A story about a child who dreams of a normal family but lives the reality of a mom who is in prison for prostituting herself to support her drug habit and a dad who walked out, it makes you really question if you are actually doing enough? There are kids out there living that very life, but in the nice neighborhoods, we don't see it and it doesn't touch us where we live.

"I Get My" is another fave and if your heart beats at all, you won't be able to sit still through this one. About where we should get our strength from (we are the branches, he is the vine), it is a funky way to learn the lesson. Move on to the jazzy "Mud From My Eyes" and it is time to wipe the mud from your eyes and see your life and your motivations for what they are. (Yes, it's another mirror moment.)

"Please" is the lead off radio single and the first video from the project. Written after the shooting of two kids right in front of his house, Bobby begs everyone to take their fingers off of the triggers and let those around them live.

I could go on and on about more winning songs like "Launch," "One Shot" and "T.I.M.B.S. (This Is My Bridge to the Streets)," but then I would start to sound like a raving fan (which I am - but hey, even music writers can have favorite artists!). So I will end the review with this piece of advice: If you want fluff that will ride around with you in the car, not actually impacting you or your day, then don't buy Everyday Man. However, if you want one of the most heartfelt and real CDs that you will hear this year, then go grab a copy of this release (and don't forget to clean those mirrors because you will be seeing quite a few clear pictures of yourself.)

• Style: Gospel Rap / Hip-Hop
• 13 songs (45 minutes, 16 seconds)
• Release Date: July 14, 2009 by Chosen/EMG/Universal Christian

More Bobby Bishop

• Bobby Bishop - An Everyday Man - A six-part interview series that touches on topics we are all dealing with. (2009)
• Bobby Bishop Profile