Keb' Mo' may be from Compton, Calif., but don't expect any gangster rap collaborations on his latest release, "Keep It Simple." And although he sings the blues, he's not down in the dumps.
Instead, Keb' Mo's release reflects a light-hearted, high-spirited mood.
Mo's soulful voice and humorous lyrics come bearing smiles. The CD has just the right amount of twinkling piano keys, harmonica bellows, soft yet steady percussion and twangy steel guitar riffs.
Don't misinterpret Mo's blues roots. Mo' croons, "Forget about the cover, read the book." Not only is this album blues, it is rock, R&B and has faint traces of gospel. There's a little something for every music fan.
The disc is also a sort of multi-task release. He seeks to inspire with such tracks as "Let Your Light Shine" and "I'm Amazing." Mo' even used one of his tracks, "Riley B. King," to praise Blues icon B.B. King.
Perhaps one of the smarter songs on the record is "Prosperity Blues." The song puts an ironic twist on the genre. Keb' finds himself singing the blues, only because the blues has left him in his happiness.
If Keb' Mo's stylings sound appealing, he'll be playing up close and personal when at the Rockwell Hall Performing Arts Center at Buffalo State College on April 2.
