Keb’ Mo’ – The Breakdown
Years ago, I was impressed with some early Taj Mahal albums. I’d been overdosing on progressive rock, mainstream pop, country rock, singer-songwriters, & all kinds of rehashed blues. But Taj Mahal was an oasis. Something rural, fresh, front porch, free & easy. After a good few years of Taj, I realized I’d never come across an artist with such a delicacy of strength in pure homegrown music. Richie Havens was great, but he was folky.
Then came Keb’ Mo’. I found that solace & warmth again through his perfect fusion of country-folk & blues elements with rootsy authenticity. No aggression. And then Taj plays with Keb’ Mo’ – how perfect was that? The multiple Grammy-winning artist arrives now with a stripped-down, intimate set of songs with contributions from the Soweto Gospel Choir & the sextet Take 6. The rest is Keb’ Mo’ voice & guitar.
This set comes in the wake of Keb Mo’s profound personal challenges. The songs reflect stark & deeply honest themes, but his voice has no scars. Recorded at Keb’ Mo’s home studio in Franklin, TN & produced by Keb’ Mo’ with Zach Allen, The Breakdown (Drops August 21/Concord Records/38:42) comes with 10 new tracks. People accustomed to big embellished productions will find this a high-end demo session. It’s not. Demos seldom sound this pristine.
“Fussing & Fighting” opens the set & the poignant lyrics paint a touch of sadness but not anger, or bitterness. This is a mature statement. Surprisingly, Keb’ Mo’ dips a big toe into the waters of easy listening. He replaces the lounge piano with gentle acoustic guitar picking & warm, sincere vocals that sound almost like we’re eavesdropping on someone’s private moment…recollecting. “Every Step of the Way” is meaningful without being too melancholy & sentimental. A perfect Nat King Cole type tune. It’s more of a song of acceptance & facing all the next, different steps ahead.
The Taj Mahal spirit drifts in on the excellent “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To.” With the gospel singers Take 6 & Keb’ Mo’s distinctive & distinguished vocals, a haunting back porch harmonica, it’s all slinky & humid with the smell of the wet earth in the air with baked biscuits.
“More Yesterdays” explores the time in one’s life when you realize you have lived more years than you have left. Despite the spare instrumentation, it’s Keb’ Mo’s voice & words that penetrate where the guitar strings can’t. Listen to this with someone you love & who has come close to the great unknown.
Highlights – “Fussing & Fighting,” “Every Step of the Way,” “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To,” “More Yesterdays,” “Hand It Over” (with the Soweto Gospel Choir), “Stitched Up Heart,” & “One Day Away.”
An 8pp stitched lyric insert is included. Image courtesy of Rachel Deeb. CD @ Bandcamp & Amazon + https://kebmo.com/new-solo-album-the-breakdown/ & https://i.concordjazz.com/kebmo_thebreakdown
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Interview: Keb’ Mo’ on Honorary Degree from Williams College, Family, Plastic, and New Album “Oklahoma”