Suitcase

by Keb' Mo

Overview

On Suitcase, his eighth studio release, Keb' Mo' (Kevin Moore) reunites with John Porter, the producer of Moore's critically lauded first album, and the result is a pleasant, midtempo suite of songs dedicated to the emotional baggage everyone carries with them as they plow through increasingly complicated lives in search of peace, love, and some measure of personal redemption. Moore covers this ground with a wink and a grin in his voice, though, and Suitcase emerges as a wry commentary on modern life that still manages to sound bright and positive, beginning with the effervescent, sprung reggae rhythm of the opening track, "Your Love," one of the best cuts here. Other highlights include the lovely ballad, "Still There for Me," a celebration of the little man and his private victories, "I'm a Hero," and the soothing, hopeful shuffle that closes things out, "Life Is Beautiful." Moore is generally classified as a blues player, but the truth is, aside from his first album, he has actually done very little true blues material, and it is probably more accurate to call what he does blues-informed, but even that ignores the point that he is probably much closer in tone, theme, and feel to James Taylor than he is to Robert Johnson or any other blues figure. He does turn to the blues here, though, on the title track, "Suitcase," and morphs it into a wonderfully engaging song about what people bring into a romantic relationship and what they take away in the end, making full use of the "emotional baggage" connection inherent in the title. It is Keb' Mo' at his best, drawing on his ability to synthesize roots forms like the blues into completely contemporary commentaries on the struggles, travails, and blind faith in personal redemption that accompanies people as they slog their way daily ever deeper into the 21st century. ~ Steve Leggett

Product Details

Release Date:	06/13/2006
Label:	Epic/Red Ink / Red Ink Records
UPC:	0828767762128

Tracks

1. Your Love
2. The Itch
3. Eileen
4. Remain Silent
5. Still There for Me
6. Rita
7. I'm a Hero
8. Suitcase
9. Whole 'Nutha Thang
10. I See Love
11. I'll Be Your Water
12. Life Is Beautiful

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Keb' Mo'   Primary Artist
Paulinho Da Costa   Percussion
Steve Ferrone   Drums
James Ingram   Vocals (Background)
Greg Leisz   Pedal Steel
Joe Sublett   Sax (Tenor)
Jeff Paris   Mandolin,Wurlitzer,Piano (Electric)
Jon Cleary   Piano,Wurlitzer,Organ (Hammond),Piano (Electric)
Kathleen Dyson   Guitar (Leslie)
Reggie McBride   Bass,Bass (Upright)
Darrell Leonard   Trumpet,Trombone,Trombonium
Sergio Gonzalez   Drums
Paul Oscher   Harp
Fran Banish   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),National Steel Guitar
Vincent Bonham   Vocals (Background)
Greg Tardy   Clarinet
John Porter   Soloist,Mandolin
Sir Harry Bowens   Vocals (Background)
Terry Wollman   Guitar (Electric Baritone)

Technical Credits

John Porter   Audio Production,Producer,Mixing,Engineer
Colin Linden   Composer
James Ingram   Composer
Jeff Paris   Composer
Josh Kelley   Composer
Jenny Yates   Composer
Keb' Mo'   Composer
David Bett   Art Direction
John Boncimino   Management
Jeff Dunas   Photography
JoAnn Tominaga   Music Coordinator,Production Coordination
Michael Caplan   A&R,Direction
Pete Strobl   Assistant Engineer
Mark Johnson   Engineer
Kevin R. Moore   Composer
Rik Pekkonen   Engineer
Mac Davis   Composer
Allan Rich   Composer