Following the release of Keb’ Mo’s
deeply thought-provoking album, Oklahoma,that brought worldly issues to the
forefront, the seasoned musician returns to lift spirits with a heartfelt
feel-good holiday album, Moonlight, Mistletoe & You, slated for release on
October 18, 2019 via Concord Records. After 25 years performing under the moniker
“Keb’ Mo’,” the widely respected artist has finally gifted his eclectic global
fanbase his first Christmas album, offering a melting pot of influences and
original songs.
Moonlight, Mistletoe & You embraces Keb' Mo's diverse
talents, having“built his now legendary reputation as a bluesman but [proving]
to be equally adept in R&B and Americana-styled roots music” (Glide
Magazine), showcasing the 4X GRAMMY-Award winner’s genre-bending capability.
Produced by Keb’ himself and recorded by Zach Allen at Stu Stu Studio in
Franklin, Tennessee, the malleable artist provides seven new songs sprinkled
with three covers.
“After 25 years of performing without releasing a Christmas
album, I felt now was as good a time as any to spread some love and
compassion,” Keb’ Mo’ says. “There’s something about Christmas time that makes
everyone’s hearts a little lighter and I wanted to contribute to the movement
of spreading a little joy. I feel like I was able to accomplish that through
the making of Moonlight, Mistletoe & You.”
Starting the album, Keb’ Mo’ puts his spin on a Christmas
Classic, “Please Come Home for Christmas” offering a more uplifting optimistic
disposition versus the Charles Brown original and the many covers that have
followed it. While singing lyrics like “Oh what a Christmas to sing the blues,
my baby’s gone, and I have no friends, to wish me greetings once again.” Keb’s
warm version of the song offers a sense of hope.
Staying true to his Blues roots, Keb’ uses the building
blocks of a proper Blues song with tracks “Santa Claus Santa Claus” and “Santa
Claus Blues,” while bringing his own flair to the Mildred Bailey original and
Billie Holiday covered classic, “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.” Keb’ keeps
a jazz-like sway throughout with the help of Melissa Manchester’s distinctive
vocals, acting as his female counterpart.
All can relate to the humorous track, “Christmas Is
Annoying,” helping ones inner Scrooge shine while pointing out the
always-maddening events that come along with the Christmas season like maxing
credit cards and having “no time to relax.”
Keb’ makes sure to also highlight the romance that soars
throughout the holiday season with the title track “Moonlight, Mistletoe, And
You” and closing track “One More Year With You,” both carrying a more
“traditional” Christmas sound. While
“Moonlight” brings on the saxophone solo, “One More Year With You” starts with jingle
bells accompanied by piano and brass horns throughout, giving one all the
Christmas feels and closing the album on a high note singing, “sign me up for
one more year with you.”
Keb’ Mo’ will hit the road later this year in support of the
release of Moonlight, Mistletoe & You. For a complete list of shows, please
visit www.kebmo.com.
Moonlight, Mistletoe & You track listing:
Please Come Home for Christmas
Moonlight, Mistletoe, And You
Better Everyday
Santa Claus Santa Claus
Christmas is Annoying
Merry Merry Christmas
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
Santa Claus Blues
When the Children Sing
One More Year With You
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