Half-Speed Mastered from the Original Master Tapes: Gorgeous Vocal Inflections, Astonishing Acoustic Guitar Lines Possess Incredible DetaiL
Pure Blues: National Steel Guitar Playing, Raw Harmonica Solos, Soulful Strumming Infuse Originals and Pair of Covers
In an age where most contemporary bluesmen strive to mimic the past and pattern their music after the greats, Keb' Mo' is content to be himself. Original, charismatic, and immensely gifted, the guitarist/vocalist (born Kevin Moore) brings country blues in the late 20th century on his stunning self-titled Epic debut, which quickly climbed the charts and turned the former backing instrumentalist into a household name. Replete with gritty textures, close-up vocals, and resplendent acoustics, Mobile Fidelity’s scintillating analog version of this 1994 set finally possesses the fidelity that brings Mo’s Delta strains out of the backwoods and onto a lively back porch.
Half-speed mastered from the original tapes, this numbered limited-edition 180g LP represents the very first time that Mo’swatershed album has been given a much-needed sonic facelift. Gone are the hazes that obscured his singing, artificial ceilings that blunted the highs, and digital fog that interfered with the multitude of illuminating tones, details, and notes. What’s revealed is startling intimacy and soothing emotion, Mo’s gorgeous vocal timbres and inflections given equal space with his guitar, harmonica, and pace. Finally, a great-sounding contemporary blues record that doesn’t resort to derivative recycling and bland revivalism.
The son of Southern parents, Mo' channels his heritage via a batch of superb folksy songs that relax, refresh, and regale. While he’s since traveled in a more commercialized pop-oriented direction, Mo’s initial salvo is nothing but raw, pure blues played with unbridled passion, tremendous conviction, and what is best deemed the essence of heart and soul. Keb' Mo'engages with a compelling mix of tradition and modernity, the headliner refraining from any attempt at assuming an artificial personality and instead basing his reputation on quality songs. As such, Mo’s material resonates with deep, mellow vibes and extraordinary National steel guitar work, which complements his fluid, acoustic finger-picking and soulful strumming.
Mo' occasionally teams with an ensemble. But this record is mostly all about the basics: guitar, voice, and harmonica. Tunes such as “Victims of Comfort” and “Angelina” testify on behalf of his phenomenal country-blues songwriting; his covers ofRobert Johnson’s “Come On In My Kitchen” and “Kindhearted Woman Blues” speak to his reverence for the past. Shuffles, ballads, dance songs—Mo nails them all.
You owe it to yourself to hear this master musician in the finest possible sound. Every movement on the guitar fretboard, every breath Mo' takes before exhaling words, every crisp and gutsy pluck of the strings—they have never possessed more dynamics, detail, or life. Imaging and soundstaging are incredible.
Keb' Mo' remains one of the finest blues albums made in the post-Stevie Ray Vaughan era. Don’t miss this American gem that so many have since tried to copy.
Keb' Mo' Keb' Mo' Track Listing:
1. "Every Morning" - 3:00
2. "Tell Everybody I Know" - 3:10
3. "Love Blues" - 3:02
4. "Victims of Comfort" - 3:21
5. "Angelina" - 3:47
6. "Anybody Seen My Girl?" - 2:56
7. "She Just Wants to Dance" - 3:29
8. "Am I Wrong?" - 2:19
9. "Come on in My Kitchen" - 4:09 (Robert Johnson)
10. "Dirty, Low Down and Bad" - 3:08
11. "Don't Try to Explain" - 3:58
12. "Kindhearted Woman Blues" - 3:29 (Johnson)
13. "City Boy" - 4:05
