Feb 13, 2009

Music Video Fridays - Keb' Mo'

Happy Friday the 13th.

Continuing a proud tradition that is at least a week old, I give you Keb' Mo' this Friday for your music video pleasure.

For those of you not familiar with him, Keb' Mo' (born Kevin Moore) is an American guitarist and blues singer originally from Los Angeles, CA. He's received a lot of mainstream recognition lately for his soulful style and appearances on shows like "The West Wing" as himself, of course.

The first video is his rendition of "America the Beautiful" and it is my favorite version of the song. No need to provide the lyrics, eh?



The next video is a collaboration with reggae/blues artist Corey Harris on "Sweet Home Chicago". I was lucky enough to see Corey Harris live at The Green Parrot in Key West a couple of years ago. He's a great musician and a smart dude. I've written about him before on this blog. Once again, if you have even a rudimentary knowledge of the blues then lyrics won't be necessary.



The last video is a live performance of an original song by Keb' called "Perpetual Blues Machine". This was one had a bit of a crossover appeal and played on some alternative/public radio stations when it first was released back in the 90's. And it's the first time he ever flew into my radar.



Perpetual Blues Machine
You had style, you had class
you had everything to make a love last
you had grace, you had charm
you had me hanging on your arm
when I found out you were a fake
you rared up and bit me like a snake
and I was ready to let go
and let all my feelings show.

Chorus:
Tell me why you wanna be so cold
why you wanna be so mean
you've gone and let your true colors show
you're a perpetual blues machine.

We could've been just fine
if you'd have only been all mine
'cause I was for real, but you did not know
that you were steppin' on my heart
as you were walking out the door.
But now I know who you are
and it's a damn good thing we didn't get too far
'cause I'm not the one who's right for you.
You need a man to do your rolling
like you want him to do.

Chorus

Now you've gone, and I'm glad
that we didn't let it get too bad
you know I tried to make it go
but there was just no way to tell you so.

Chorus

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

___________________________________________________

Note: Remember to play the Bug-Eyed Trivia Challenge every day. Don't let the blues get you down.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I love that Blues. I went over to the official site of Keb' Mo' and there he's described as the "living link" to the Delta Blues.

Fantastic. Thanks so much for tuning me into him. I miss a lot of cool stuff living outside the States.

Michelle said...

Do you need to be blue to enjoy the blues???

Come on you know i always ask some sort of asinine question when i comment right??

Great music. I really never got into the blues but this stuff rocks....

Thanks!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Barlinnie said...

Ah reet.. now you'se are finally talking my language. Twas a great swatch and my keeks are bursting with the effort of chapping my haunds.

Verdant Earl said...

MikeB - I haven't checked out his official site yet, but I will.

Michelle - any color should work just fine.

Jimmy - I think I understand that. :)

Heff said...

That be some good ol' black man blues thay. I love it.

Verdant Earl said...

Heff - word.

Slyde said...

and here i thought you'd give us a "friday the 13th" post...

ok, if i can get off my ass, i'll just have to do it myself...

~E said...

Yummy! Those songs are like dark chocolate in my tummy! (no racial puns intended of course)

Verdant Earl said...

~E - of course. ;)