Review: Keb’ Mo’ – The Breakdown
On ‘The Breakdown’, Keb’ Mo’ strips his music back to its essence: his voice, guitar and songwriting
Keb’ Mo’ – The Breakdown
Format: CD / Vinyl LP / Digital
Label: Concord Records
Release date: August 21, 2026
Text: Tom Wouters
On ‘The Breakdown’, Keb’ Mo’ strips his music back to its essence: his voice, guitar and songwriting.
Keb’ Mo’s career has been going remarkably well in recent years. He has won five Grammy Awards, including one for his acclaimed collaboration with fellow blues artist Taj Mahal. More recently, however, he experienced major changes in his personal life, and their repercussions are reflected in his new solo album ‘The Breakdown’. Recorded in his home studio outside Nashville, Keb’ Mo’ chose a completely stripped-back approach: just his voice, guitar and songwriting.
‘The Breakdown’ opens with Fussing and Fighting, a song that lyrically sets the tone for the entire album with its focus on relationship troubles, delivered in a style reminiscent of Robert Johnson.
The album is not entirely a solo affair. On two songs, Keb’ Mo’ is joined by gospel vocalists. The gospel sextet Take 6 provides vocals on They Don’t Make ’Em Like They Used To, while Hand It Over receives a tremendous boost from South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir.
For the rest, the spotlight remains firmly on Keb’ Mo’. This results in typical Keb’ Mo’ gems such as Every Step of the Way, Walking on Water, Living in the Moment, Stitched Up Heart and One Day Away.
‘The Breakdown’ finds Keb’ Mo’ choosing personal intimacy over grandeur. Ten beautiful songs built around his voice, guitar and songwriting.
Tracks:
01. Fussing and Fighting
02. Every Step of the Way
03. They Don’t Make ’Em Like They Used To (feat. Take 6)
04. More Yesterdays
05. We Make Love
06. Walking on Water
07. Hand It Over (feat. Soweto Gospel Choir)
08. Living in the Moment
09. Stitched Up Heart
10. One Day Away
Website: https://kebmo.com/
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Review: Taj Mahal en Keb’ Mo’ – Room On The Porch
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Review: Keb’ Mo’ – Good To Be…
An earlier Bluestown Music review of Keb’ Mo’s 2022 studio album.
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