Keb’ Mo’
The Englert Theater, Iowa City, Iowa • July 20, 2024
by Jeremy Glazier
I’m not sure a Saturday night in Iowa could be any better than spending it inside the always elegant Englert Theater in Iowa City, Iowa, while watching legendary singer-songwriter Keb’ Mo’. Mo’ has spent a lifetime honing his craft as a bluesman, and every time I see a show or listen to an album, I’m struck not only by how far he’s advanced the genre, but also by how he protects the history of the blues while pushing it to new realms. A quick scan of his audience will also attest to the agreement and enjoyment of his lyrical messages in the absolute diversity of his fans.
“I may be turning 70,” Keb’ reflects, “but I’m still breathing and I’m still hungry. I’m still out there going for it every single day.” That quote from his website is the roadmap that Keb’ follows and what he, his band, and the live show have brought to Iowa City. The near-capacity venue is alive with excitement as Keb’ takes the stage and performs 18 songs from 9 different albums, released between 1994 and his most recent 2022 release, Good To Be….
The band opens the evening with “Everything I Need” from Mo’s 2004 Grammy Award-winning album Keep It Simple, “Somebody Hurt You,” and “Sunny and Warm” before pausing to interact with the audience. A couple of fan favorites are next, with the always popular “Government Cheese” and “Am I Wrong” from his 1994 album Keb’ Mo’, which won Mo’ the W.C. Handy Award for Best Country/Acoustic Blues Album in 1995.
The band this evening is made up of Casey Wasner on drums, Dane Farnsworth on keys, Zachariah Witcher on bass, and 21-year-old Keb Hutchings on guitar, whom Keb’ Mo’ noted, in a conversation I had with him after the show, is a true prodigy. They all get moments to shine throughout the night as they perform songs like “Change,” “Good to Be (Home Again),” and “Life is Beautiful.” Some of the most fun of the evening comes from songs titled “Put a Woman in Charge” and “Shave Yo’ Legs,” as crowd engagement agrees with and loudly supports the messages in both songs.
Keb’ and the band perform tremendous versions of “Perpetual Blues Machine,” “The Worst Is Yet to Come,” and “I Remember You” before an encore of “She Just Wants to Dance” and “A Better Man.”
Keb’ Mo’ currently has a variety of tour dates scheduled through October on his website. Get out and experience a five-time, Grammy Award-winning artist who shows no signs of slowing down and continues to perform some of the best music around.
