Steve Forbert
“Ebenezer’s Back In Town”
Rolling Tide
Renowned Americana singer-songwriter Steve Forbert unveils his new single/music video, “Ebenezer’s Back In Town,” a song about the ever-shifting, surreal status quo of American politics.
Forbert explains, “‘Ebenezer’s Back In Town’ is a song I’ve written in response to the current administration’s first five weeks in office. Annoying Canada with remarks about making it the 51st state doesn’t seem at all constructive. Talk of annexing Greenland doesn’t seem at all reasonable. Instigating Trade Wars with our closest neighbors and/or best friends doesn’t seem manageable.”
More a probing exposition than a protest song, like Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth,” “Ebenezer’s Back In Town” offers an existential examination along the lines of ‘Just what the heck is going on?’
The lyrics narrate the situation: “You keep up / I don’t really think I can / There’s too much / Beamin’ offa that one man.”
Riding a measured rhythm, “Ebenezer’s Back In Town” travels on low-slung, soft, platinum guitars forming a deliciously swaying melody. Forbert’s luscious, slightly raspy vocals imbue the lyrics with residual remnants of wariness.
In 1976, Forbert left Meridian, Mississippi, and headed to New York City, where he became part of the ‘new folk’ revival. Almost immediately, he was signed by Nemperor/CBS Records, followed by releasing his debut album, Alive on Arrival, followed by his sophomore album, Jackrabbit Slim, featuring “Romeo’s Tune,” which topped Billboard’s Pop chart.
Artists recording Forbert’s songs include Rosanne Cash, Keith Urban, Marty Stuart, and Webb Wilder. In 2017, a tribute album was released, with covers of his songs by twenty-one artists.
With “Ebenezer’s Back In Town,” Steve Forbert infuses the almost gentle song with wide-eyed incredulity at what’s transpiring.
