Blues
Keb' Mo's latest set is an excellent collection of great songs from the past. Mo' does a journeyman's job of delivering these tunes, letting the lyric and melodies speak for themselves. One of my favorites is his piano-backed version of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'." Using piano rather than guitar and Mo's world-weary wisdom result in a hopeful and unique rendition of this classic. The Youngbloods' peace anthem "Get Together" also works exquisitely with Paulinho Da Costa's percolating percussion. Alicia Keys recently re-did Donny Hathaway's classic "Someday We'll All Be Free." Keb's version again polishes this most beautiful of melodies. Other tracks like Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" and the Rascals' "People Got to Be Free" also work well. This set is upbeat and hopeful, not too distant from "Big Wide Grin" where Keb' did other cover tunes. This is an excellent set from one of our best. Enjoy!
By Lee Armstrong.
**
The velvety voiced Mo' shifts away from his usual matters of the heart to matters of the world on this disc of predominantly covers. He has also abandoned his bluesier roots in favor of a slicker, jazz-based pop. The result is a protest album for the double-latte crowd, most of whom can hum along to chestnuts from the Rascals ("People Got to be Free"), John Lennon ("Imagine"), and Bob Dylan ("The Times They Are A-Changin'"). While a jaunty banjo- and fiddle-flecked version of the Nick Lowe-penned "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" (popularized by Elvis Costello) uses a questionable rearrangement to convey the song's message, Mo' really connects when he raids the soul vaults for tunes by Marvin Gaye, Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes, and Donny Hathaway. It's a pleasant, subtle, and always professionally performed detour that's as comfy as a warm cup of hot chocolate on a chilly day.
By Hal Horowitz. AMG.
01. For what it's worth 4.00
02. Wake up everybody 4.07
03. People got to be free 3.45
04. Talk 3.38
05. What's happening brother 3.25
06. The times they are a-changin' 4.11
07. Get together 4.00
08. Someday we'll all be free 4.02
09. (What's so funny 'bout) Peace, Love and Understanding 3.43
10. Imagine 4.54
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