work from Godfrey) are all equally great. The set closes out with “Paris Mountain,” a
love song to the greater Greenville area and happy memories of time spent on the mountain during his youth. It’s a heartfelt, beautiful song, and my favorite song on an album filled with great songs. I just cannot put into words exactly how much I love this album, but believe me, you will too. Buffalo says, “Check it out.”
-Michael Buffalo Smith
Keb Mo Moonlight, Mistletoe & You (Concord) For his first ever Christmas
record, the ultra-smooth Keb Mo delivers ten mighty fine
tracks that are sure to make your bells jingle! Be- ginning with the classic “Please Come Home for Christmas,” delivered in the past by everyone from the Eagles to Edgar and Johnny Winter, Keb puts his own unique stamp on it, with a strong bass and percussion bed and smooth guitar lay- ered in along with his super soulful vocals. The title track, “Moonlight, Mistletoe and
You” features a guest appearance from Gerald Al- bright on sax. A very tender Christmas love song. “Better Every day” is an upbeat, happy tune, and “Santa Claus, Santa Claus” is a seriously blues- soaked tune, reminiscent of BB King or Stevie Ray Vaughan. Same with “Merry, Merry Christ- mas.” Good stuff. “Christmas is Annoying” is pretty funny,
all about how much of a hassle the Holiday be- comes after we grow up. Keb enlists Melissa Man- chester to duet on the lovely “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” and “Santa Claus Blues” is a great blues tune, enhanced by piano and smooth slide guitar. “When the Children Sing” might just be
my favorite track on the album. Beautiful imagery and Keb Mo at his best, accompanied by a chil- dren’s chorus. Keb wraps up this Holiday gift with “One More Year with You,” another very nice Christmas love song. Moonlight, Mistletoe & You is destined to become a holiday classic. If you aren’t feeling the
Holiday spirit, put this CD on and sit back and watch the spirit wash over you.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
Savoy Brown City Night (Quarto Valley Records) I’m happy to hear anything by the British blues-master Kim Simmonds and his band Savoy Brown. Their latest release
City Night, is no exception. This is the fortieth album from them, and is another smash hit record. With bassist Pat DeSalvo and drummer Garnet Grimm holding down the rhythm section, Simmonds takes charge as he does and delivers yet another round of stellar original straight-up, nose-to-the-grind blues. Simmonds’ searing guitar licks, joined
with a fearless driving beat, kicks this treasure- trove of blues-rock off with “Walking On Hot Stones”. It is scorching and fantastic. I love “Conjure Rhythm”, with its hypnotic hoodoo pulse. “Hang in Tough” is a rugged rocker of hard-hitting blues which cuts to the bone. A feel- good mood is set by title-track “City Night”, and fully enjoyed. It’s so great to hear Simmonds wail on guitar. Simmonds nicely closes the album out with a heavy dose of blues in the fabulous “Ain’t Gonna Worry”. It’s amazing how Savoy Brown just keeps getting better and better with each release. City Night is as good as it gets. Blues fans are sure to enjoy this record.
-Phillip Smith (
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/)
Kanye West Jesus is King (Getting Out Our Dreams II / Def Jam Recordings) Kanye West has the country
in an uproar with his new gospel hip-hop album, Jesus is King.
There are those who feel that it is a masterpiece, and applaud him for voicing his new-found Chris- tianity from his lofty platform. There are just as
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