Artists who lack Keb’ Mo’s stature might not have the grit to deliver a solo acoustic record. Yet, he’s a national treasure, sure to draw attention to each release. He’s a five-time Grammy winner and recipient of the AMA Lifetime Achievement Award. You likely know his storied career and have some of his records, though this is a first, born out of life changing events. Keb’ Mo’ survived a life-threatening heart injury that required open-heart surgery. As he recovered and grappled with the dissolution of his 20-year marriage, he recorded The Breakdown in his home studio. It’s his first-ever stripped-down record featuring just his voice, guitar, and carefully selected vocal contributions from The Soweto Gospel Choir and the gospel sextet Take Six, thereby adding…
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Both Keb’ Mo’ and Taj Mahal have been playing their music for over half a century. Taj is approaching seven decades. We throw the term ‘legend’ rather casually these days, but these two have long attained that status. A successful collaboration almost inevitably leads to a second, so we are here eight years later from 2017’s TajMo to Room on the Porch. When one carefully listens, the history of Black American music unfolds over just ten tracks. These two trust their instinct,s and their artistry is well-rounded and rather boundless.
This time, there’s more original material with six co-writes, a tune from Taj, two from contemporary writers, and one old blues chestnut. Taj sings on most tracks, but he brings out his trusty ukulele several times and his resonator…