It's 'Simple:' Give us Mo' fire

Meb' Mo' (né Kevin Moore) grew up in Compton, Calif., the cradle of so-called gangsta rap. But unlike Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, Keb' Mo' was more interested in channeling Robert Johnson than sparking a hip-hop revolution.\nThe result of such ambitions, nurtured from the time his uncle began giving him guitar lessons when Moore was 12, is nearly 30 years of recording dependable, inspiring modern blues and traditional rhythm and blues. While his blues have generally lacked the blazing fire of, say, R.L. Burnside, Robert Belfour, T-Model Ford and other guys at Fat Possum Records, Keb' Mo' has been more able to cross over into the mainstream like one of his idols, B.B. King. (His two Grammys are evidence of such popularity and acceptance.)\nOn Keep It Simple, Keb' Mo' sounds like Mississippi John Hurt, a bluesman whose deceptively soft and melodic sound contrasts sharply with the raw, angry style of contemporaries like Son House. Like much of Hurt's output, many of the tracks on Keep It Simple are well-crafted, laidback songs that almost lull the listener into a bluesy serenity.\nBut, like Hurt's stuff, Keep It Simple, Keb' Mo's fifth album for Okeh and seventh overall (he also recorded an album as Kevin Moore in the early '80s), is passionate, emotional and deeply personal. Songs like "Closer" and "Shave Yo' Legs" explore the complexities of relationships with loved ones, sometimes with humor, sometimes with poignant sincerity. "Let Your Light Shine," the CD's first single, perfectly utilizes the talents of session man Jeff Paris on organ and mandolin to create a hoppin,' toe-tapping feeling that borders on infectious.\nThe album was recorded in L.A. and Nashville with a solid cast of session musicians, including bassists Nathan East and Reggie McBride, drummers Ricky Lawson and Steve Ferrone and organist and mandolin player Jeff Paris. Keb' Mo' (who's scheduled to play the Vogue in Indy on March 18) also rolls out some impressive guest appearances; blues prodigy Shannon Curfman supplies pretty backing vocals on "One Friend," while guitar studs Robert Cray and Robben Ford show up on "Riley B. King," the three men's tribute to the Blues Boy himself.\nHowever, although the 12 tracks (which were all written or co-written by Keb' Mo') wonderfully reflect his roots in gospel, jazz and straight blues, they're all a bit too polished. While Keb' Mo' has self-produced a relaxed, endearing album that will surely attract many hesitant listeners looking for an entrée into the blues, a more experienced blues fan is left wondering if and when he'll just throw down and cut loose.