Ably supported by local blues musician Sweet Baby James, a two piece on this occasion with Ron Eisner on drums, faithful blues fans had gathered in surprisingly good numbers to catch a solid support set of originals and inspired covers. John Lee Hooker went down well as did the standout,* Blind Willie Johnson’s* Nobody’s Fault But Mine.
Keb Mo’s regular inclusion on the bill of the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival over the last few years and subsequent side shows has helped bolster a healthy fan base Australia wide, with Adelaide no exception. It was obvious that he was more than a little shocked at crowd numbers though, as after taking the stage, he asked for the lights to be turned up, exclaiming “I didn’t expect there to be so many of you”.
He went on to apologise for his lack of band explaining their absence by stating “My band couldn’t be here tonight as they are all thugs and gangsters with criminal records meaning they can’t get into this country”. With his solo status explained Keb set out on the familiar journey of lust, lost love and redemption, though his lyrical storytelling and between song banter made sure all in attendance were kept wrapped up in awe of this modern day blues man.
His set began with the joyous Tell Everybody I Know and moved through the chapters of his life, including three marriages, numerous children and a whole lot of trouble and woe. Keb does not wallow in the strife for long however, with unsuppressed optimism and personal salvation being themes that constantly surface through his tunes.
He was open to suggestions from the adoring audience, with Angelina being a song called out for very insistently and which brought a tear to many an eye. The crowd, were brought into the performance in a genuine and beautiful way, with the call and response choruses made for participation. Fortunately, after a shaky start of a missed cue, this participation was enthusiastically embraced and provided a unifying and connecting aspect to the entire set.
Keb was full of good humour often interrupting his own song thread to interact with the audience and even poked fun at a photographer who had stepped up to get a closer shot of him in action. Personal highlights for me included Am I Wrong, and the title track of his new album Suitcase. The suitcase being the baggage that humans bring into a relationship and that we then pass on to any children coming from that union.
The set closer was another crowd request, Just Like Me, and ensured that the power songs have in highlighting and exposing the human condition was again proven. Resisting the urge to wax poetical I will simply say that I left the gig with a spring in my step and a smile on my face.
