Keb' Mo' - Good To Be... (2022)

Leave it to Keb' Mo' to record a feel-good album during a pandemic. God bless him for that - these days, I'll take ebullience and optimism wherever I can get it. But I'll be honest, I didn't care much for this album initially and usually bailed by track 7, an uninspired cover of Lean On Me. But I stuck with it over the past few months and now enjoy parts of it. Metacritic has it ranked at a 67 and that's about right. I would like more blues and less country, but that's just not where Keb' is these days. So while this isn't the best album he's put out, there's some quality tunes to be found, nonetheless.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Top Album Sales: #55
• Billboard Top Current Album Sales: #31
• Billboard Heatseekers Albums: #11

Tracks: The album certainly starts strong with the first three tracks: Good To Be (Home Again), So Easy, and Sunny And Warm. Also good are Marvelous To Me, All Dressed Up (the bluesiest track on the album), The second tier of tunes includes Like Love and '62 Chevy.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, but should Keb' ever make his way to San Antonio, I'll be at his show. Hell, I might even drive up to Austin.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Moonlight, Mistletoe & You (2019)
Live: That Hot Pink Blues Album (2016)
Live And Mo' (2009)
Suitcase (2006)
Peace...Back by Popular Demand (2004)
Keep It Simple (2004)
Just Like You (1996)
Keb' Mo' (1994)

Keb' Mo' - Moonlight, Mistletoe & You (2019)

Keb' Mo' lends his folksy Americana-blues style to 10 holiday tunes, including five originals written by Mo'. There's nothing here that will end up in rotation on your preferred holiday music radio station (although the romantic title track should be given the chance), but if you like Keb' Mo's rootsy music (and I do), this is a nice addition to your library. Very comfortable with enough variety to keep this from becoming simply background music, but not your typical sleigh-bell schmaltz.

Downbeat, December 2019, p. 77

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: In addition to the title track (featuring saxophonist Gerald Albright), I like the laid-back pop take on Please Come Home For Christmas with its slightly altered lyrics, as well as all the other blues tunes. Track 3, Better Everyday, doesn't mention Christmas or snow in its lyrics, but it's a catchy feel-good tune. Speaking of not mentioning Christmas, Melissa Manchester contributes to the 1937 Irving Berlin standard, I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, and the duo's voices blend much better than I would have imagined.  The only skippable tune here is the precious When The Children Sing (co-written by Mac Davis) which predictably includes a children's chorus. The album finishes with a New Year's song, One More Year With You, which is a beautiful cherry-on-top and makes me wonder why we don't have more New Year's tunes in the standard repertoire. And who wouldn't like an album, however brief, that finishes with lyrics like "all I want is one more year with you"?

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Live: That Hot Pink Blues Album (2016)
Live And Mo' (2009)
Suitcase (2006)
Peace...Back by Popular Demand (2004)
Keep It Simple (2004)
Just Like You (1996)
Keb' Mo' (1994)

Keb' Mo' - Live: That Hot Pink Blues Album (2016)

Is there such a thing as "feel good blues"? (The question is rhetorical - the answer is yes and the supporting evidence is right here.)

Most live albums seem like a shameless money grabs or concert souvenirs, but this double disc set simply makes the argument that all Keb' Mo' should be live albums. 16 songs from nine stops on his 2015 nationwide tour. Blues, roots, folk, pop, whatever you wanna call it, it's day-umm good. My only complaint would be the oversight of omitting the song Am I Right from the setlist.

I'm left with this question: how much would I have to pay Keb' Mo' to come sit on my porch and sing blues songs with me?

Album chart Peaks

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Blues: #3
• Billboard Folk: #12
• Billboard Independent: #33

Tracks: From Disc One, my favorites are Tell Everybody I Know, Somebody Hurt You, The Worst Is Yet To Come, and the funk of Government Cheese. On Disc Two, my picks are More Than One Way Home, The Old Me Better, and Rita.

Favorite bit of patter: when one fan yells out "Freebird!" Keb' Mo' stops what he's doing, laughs along with the audience, then replies, "Ima learn that song to shut y'all up."

DownBeat, August 2016, p. 73

For the record, that 3 star rating is low, especially when you consider DownBeat has a reputation for handing out 4 stars like candy.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Live And Mo' (2009)
Suitcase (2006)
Peace...Back by Popular Demand (2004)
Keep It Simple (2004)
Just Like You (1996)
Keb' Mo' (1994)

Keb' Mo' - Suitcase (2006)

One of those albums where I wasn't in the right mind when I listened the first time so I stubbornly only listened once and mistakenly thought the thing wasn't very good. I'm such an idiot sometimes. There's some good stuff here, the only real problem is that it's all midtempo pop so the songs all run together after a while. In spite of the pop leanings, this album was nominated for the Grammy award for Best Contemporary Blues Album, losing to After The Rain by Irma Thomas. There ain't much blues here, but that don't mean I can't appreciate the songs for what they are. Think I'll add this one to a full Keb' Mo' discography shuffle this afternoon by the pool. Keb' doesn't make it down to Texas very often, but I'm keeping my eyes open. On a related note, how great would a Keb' Mo'/Bonnie Raitt double bill be?

I'm told that track 10, I See Love, is used as the theme song for the sitcom Mike & Molly. I can't confirm since I've never watched.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #176

Tracks:  Top tracks include Your Love, Whole 'Nutha Thing, I'll Be Your Water, and the bluesy title track. The album loses steam in the middle but finishes strong. For an album I didn't like much the first time 'round, I sure can't find any tracks to skip this time.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  Bought it used at a Half Price books, tried to listen immediately in my truck and put it on the shelf where it's rested until this morning. Like I said: I'm such an idiot.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Live And Mo' (2009)
Peace...Back by Popular Demand (2004)
Keep It Simple (2004)
Just Like You (1996)
Keb' Mo' (1994)

Keb' Mo' - Keep It Simple (2004)

In at least one press release, Keb' Mo' described himself as a "singer songwriter dabbling in the blues." For Keb's fifth studio album, it's more of the same modern pop-blues, not low-down old school blues. And for that, his fans thank him (including myself). Keb' is happier than most bluesmen and that contagious optimism weaves it way through the whole album. Heck, he even sings "I can't even crack a frown since the blues slipped out of town" on Prosperity Blues without the slightest bit of irony. The National guitar sounds great and the lead vocals are always smooth. This stuff goes down easy.

The album won a Grammy in 2005 for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #149
• Billboard Blues: #1

Tracks: As I've written before, Keb' is hit-or-miss, but usually more of the former than the latter. My picks on this disc are France, Let Your Let Shine, Prosperity Blues, the title track, and Walk Back In, but there's nothing here that has me reaching for the skip button.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, although I've noticed that Keb' Mo' plays much better on the porch than in my truck. Fine with me.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Live And Mo' (2009)
Peace...Back by Popular Demand (2004)
Just Like You (1996)
Keb' Mo' (1994)

Keb' Mo' (1994)

This debut blues album (Keb' previously released an R&B album in 1980 under his birth name, Kevin Moore) has been called "gritty country blues" but I think it would better be described as blues-pop. I enjoy Keb's guitar playing and his voice is perfect for the blues. His songwriting isn't bad, either. And, of course, he covers the requisite Robert Johnson tunes which all bluesmen include on their albums. It's a nice blend of solo acoustic blues and, on other tracks, full band. Being born in the Delta myself, I'm a fan. This guy understands the blues, which is unusual for someone born and raised in Los Angeles. This album won the W.C. Handy Award for Best Country/Acoustic Blues Album of the Year.

Rolling Stone, December 15, 1994, p. 98

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Blues: #4

Tracks: Nothing to skip here. My favorite cut is Am I Wrong. Other outstanding tracks are Love Blues, Angelina, Kindhearted Woman Blues, and the gospel-tinged Don't Try To Explain.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Perfect for porch sittin' and I speak from experience.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Live And Mo' (2009)
Peace...Back by Popular Demand (2004)
Just Like You (1996)

Keb' Mo' - Live And Mo' (2009)

A curious release combining 6 live tracks interspersed with 4 studio tracks. This his first release on his own Yolabelle label and I guess he wanted to get something out quick and make some money on his older catalog at the same time. In any case, I can't get too upset because I'm a fan of Keb's blend of blues, jazz, and pop. I will complain about the lack of liner notes that might explain the decision to put this out. We don't know where the live tracks were recorded and they could have at least put in some dates so we'd know when songs were written. Overall, this is a laid back mid-tempo release that leans more towards folk pop than blues. However, listening to this really makes me want to see Keb' in concert.

Tracks:

• Victims Of Comfort (studio, originally on Keb' Mo')
• More Than One Way Home (live, originally on Just Like You)
• Change (live, originally on The Door)
• Shave Yo' Legs (live, originally on Keep It Simple)
• Hole In The Bucket (studio)
• One Friend (live, originally on Keep It Simple)
• The Action (live, originally on Just Like You)
• Perpetual Blues Machine (live, originally on Just Like You)
• Government Cheese (studio)
• A Brand New America (studio)

Best are the live tracks More Than One Way Home and Perpetual Blues Machine. Of the studio songs, I like Hole In the Bucket and Government Cheese. The children's choir on the last track, A Brand New America, is bit much.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: This is a difficult CD to acquire, but it is readily available for download. I had given up hope of finding a copy when I just happened to come across this one at the local Hastings.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Peace...Back by Popular Demand (2004)
Just Like You (1996)

Keb' Mo' - Peace...Back by Popular Demand (2004)

Keb' is hit-or-miss with me, but when he hits, there's almost nothing better. Unfortunately, this isn't his best effort. As Amazon.com says in its review, this CD "is a protest album for the double-latte crowd." Nine covers and one original number and none of them come close to being bluesy. Buyer beware, this is smooth pop. Nothing awful, but nothing particularly memorable. If you want a CD of protest covers, get Wake Up! instead.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #174 (Oct 9, 2004)

Tracks: while not my favorite Keb' Mo' CD, there are a few keepers on here, including the cover of Buffalo Springfield's For What It's Worth, the cover of Marvin Gaye's What's Happening Brother, and Donny Hathaway's Someday We'll All Be Free. The Keb' Mo' original, Talk, is fairly good although its premise of having a dialogue with the President is a little far-fetched. Skip the piano bar version of Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin' and the bluegrass version of Nick Lowe's (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding. Finally, skip the cover of John Lennon's Imagine, a song that shouldn't be covered because the original is the definitive version (which is beautiful even though I don't agree with all of the lyrical content).

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: none

Previously revisited for the blog:
Just Like You (1996)

Keb' Mo' - Just Like You (1996)

Even though this release won the 1997 Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album, it definitely leans towards other genres: folk, gospel, rock, soul, pop, country. In fact, it's almost too happy to be considered blues. This is the second release from Keb' Mo' (Kevin Moore) and is quite different from his debut release which was far more traditional: Delta blues from a boy reared in LA (that's Los Angeles, not Louisiana). He took some heat from the critics for trying a different sound on his sophomore release, but I like it. If you were to put this on at a backyard BBQ, all your guests would enjoy at least one track.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #197
• Billboard Blues: #2

Tracks: I never skip any of the 13 tracks here. There's five acoustic tracks on this disc and they're all good. The most traditional Delta blues tracks are Dangerous Mood and Momma Where's My Daddy. The Robert Johnson cover (obligatory on any blues CD) is Last Fair Deal Gone Down. My favorites include That's Not Love, the acoustic song Perpetual Blues Machine, More Than One Way Home, and Standin' At The Station.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I was going through a "blues phase" around 2005 and picked this up from a used bin, not knowing anything about Keb' Mo'. Good decision.