You Don’t Have to “Shave Yo Legs”: It’s Good to Be Home – Keb Mo’ Review

You Don’t Have to “Shave Yo Legs”: It’s Good to Be Home – Keb Mo’ Review – by Colin McCarthy.

Three songs into a sold-out show in downtown Troy, NY, Keb’ Mo’ took a moment to step to the side of the stage and settle into the groove while introducing his band member by me

In my 35 years of going to concerts, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a performer introduce the entire band that early in a set. It felt genuine,both a gesture of respect and an acknowledgment of the tight chemistry– a well deserved nod.

And the band deserved it.

For 90 minutes straight, they communicated almost entirely without words. Nothing was forced. No beats were missed. Every subtle laugh, knowing glance, and half-humbled shrug became part of the performance. The audience could feel it: the quiet, intuitive connection thats needed most for a successful night. It almost never comes down to how quickly the volunteer staff sat you and if you had to wait in line for a beer before the curtain draws.

The song playing beneath that introduction was “It’s Good to Be Home,” and midway through, Keb’ Mo’ gave the crowd a wink and salute, as if to suggest that he felt at home inside the warm acoustics of Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

By the end of the night, the entire room did.

Shortly after, the band broke into the Keb’ Mo’ classic “Shave Yo’ Legs,” from his 2004 album Keep It Simple. The record, released in 2004, would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Watching Keb’ Mo’’s music career unfold is kind of amazing. After all these years, he still walks on stage with the same easy charm, and before you know it the room is full of rhythm, smiles, and a little extra foot traffic as people start swaying closer to the stage. The songs feel timeless, the stories feel real, and by the time the night ends the crowd is always hoping for just one more encore. What makes it even sweeter is how far he’s come,still touring, still creating, still captivating audiences at an age when most people are thinking about slowing down. But Keb’ Mo’ clearly didn’t get  that memo… and thank goodness for that. His music proves that soul, talent, and a good groove only get better with time.

 

 

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