FOLK BLUES / COUNTRY BLUES / R&B

This album, comprising 12 new songs written by Kevin and one nicely done cover, seems to be about changes – in relationships, in our country, or back in the old neighborhood. As on several recent Keb’ Mo’ albums, notable guests help out, this time including Vince Gill, Darius Rucker, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth. FCC clean

1 * Visiting his hometown, reflecting on good things in life. A super pleasant song. (3:31)
2 * Lighthearted soul music about new love. You can’t help but smile and nod along. (3:08)
3 An upbeat summertime groove. Organ & strings are too schmaltzy. (3:26)
4 * Fun song with country influence: Darius Rucker duets; pedal steel adds twang. (3:19)
5 Old-timey jug-band feeing. Winking references to the pandemic & 2020 election. (3:37)
6 Optimistic view of life and the future. Overwhelmed by tons of strings. (3:34)
7 ** Nice cover of Bill Withers classic: slightly faster but otherwise quite faithful. (3:54)
8 * Sweet soul music about falling in love and how you know it. (3:41)
9 ** Slow, broken-hearted blues about a love gone bad. Elegant with nice horns. (4:14)
10 ** Trying to repair a relationship and driving an awesome car. Upbeat & soulful. (3:28)
11 ** A boomer’s salute to young people’s political aspirations. Stirring & hopeful. (4:24)
12 * A lightweight but still sweet love song. Bouncy beat and some nice lead guitar. (3:46)
13 Slow saccharine love song. A promising duet with Chenoweth is wasted. Awful. (3:54)