Keb’ Mo’ – Keep It Simple (2004)

Keb' Mo' lets his light shine on this CD. The music is a mix of blues, pop, with a bit of gospel and even bluegrass thrown in. The first track, "France" sets an upbeat mood, and makes you smile from the start. "Let Your Light Shine" has an affirming message with a gospel tone. The sardonic "Prosperity Blues" laments that things can be so good, they're bad. And the title track, "Keep it Simple" features some of the best guitar work on the CD.
Keb's "Riley B. King" is a great tribute to a great man, and it features outstanding guitar solos from Robert Cray and Robben Ford. In "House In California" we get to hear Keb's bango playing, and some fine bluegrass instrumentation. Background vocals on the song are provided by Vince Gill, Amy Grant, and Andrea Zonn (who also plays the violin on the track). The other tracks are not disappointing, either. This is not "low down blues" but "up high blues". Keb's in fine voice and great songwriting form.

Please note that this is an old but good rip (without log), made with an old version of EAC, and coming from my archives on external hard disc.

Personnel Includes:

Keb' Mo' - vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, synthesizer, percussion
Robben Ford, Robert Cray - guitar, background vocals
John Porter - guitar
Paul Franklin - dobro
Jeff Paris - mandolin, harmonica, piano, organ, keyboards
Sam Bush - mandolin
Andrea Zonn - violin, background vocals
Greg Philinganes - piano, electric piano, keyboards
John Hobbs - electric piano, Fender Rhodes piano
Ricky Lawson, Steve Ferrone, Chad Cromwell - drums
Munyungo Jackson - percussion
Bobette Harrison-Jamison, Alex Brown, Amy Grant, Phillip Ingram, Shannon Curfman, Vince Gill - background vocals

Tracklist:

01. France
02. Let Your Light Shine
03. One Friend
04. Shave Yo' Legs
05. Prosperity Blues
06. Closer
07. Keep It Simple
08. Riley B. King
09. House in California
10. Walk Back In
11. I'm Amazing
12. Proving You Wrong

Produced by Keb' Mo'

Recorded at The Village Recorders and Stu Stu, West Los Angeles, California; House Of Blues Studio, Encino, California; Blackbird Studios, Nashville, Tennessee

Sound Quality: 9