12. June 2025
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Media Review

Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ – Room On The Porch

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo' - Room On The Porch

Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo' - Room On The Porch
4.7

Rating

 4.7/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Nice blending of country and blues
  • Great storytelling

Two big names of the music join forces for the second time: after Taj Mahal an Keb’ Mo’ already released the album TajMo in 2017, they do another record together. Their sophomore album is called Room On The Porch and will be released on 23rd May 2025. Here is my review.

 

Taj Mahal – About The Artist

Ta Mahal is the artist name of Henry St. Clair Fredericks, who was born on 17th May 1942 in Harlem, New York City. He played with multiple bands, like Rising Sons or The Phantom Blues Band. Hisfirst album, The Natch’l Blues, is dated as of 1968. The blues artist is a five time Grammy Award winner.

 

Keb’ Mo’ – About The Artist

I featured Keb’ Mo’ already once, at is Good To Be... album released in 2022. The blues and country blues musician was born on 3rd October 1951 in Greater Los Angeles. His civil name is Kevin Roosewelt Moore. He also worked in movie project and is a political activist. His 1980 album Rainmaker did not perform that well in the charts. However, already with his third record release, the 1996 Just Like You, he peaked second in the US Blues Charts. Room On The Porch is his 16th studio album overall.

 

Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ – Room On The Porch – Track by Track

The ten track album lasts 44 minutes.

1. Room On The Porch (feat. Ruby Amanfu)

There is a blues-ish groove in this opener, but overall, Room On The Porch feels like a slower classic country song. The Nashville based artist Ruby Amanfu, who is a guest singer in the song, adds a nice additional touch to it.

2. My Darling My Dear

With instruments like the banjo or the mandolin, My Darling My Dear again rather reminds of country music. The song is rather slow and comes with nice storytelling. Taj Mahal is just doing backing vocals in the second song of Room On The Porch – Keb’ Mo’ is driving the song beautifully.

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3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out

On the instrumental side, the third song with the long title is driven by the Hammond organ. The electric guitar steps in focus during the instrumental bridge.  This time, the two protagonists share the leading vocals, which leads to a nice and entertaining style of the song. The four backing vocalists in the chorus spread some gospel vibes.

4. She Keeps Me Movin’

Especially on the vocal side, but also in style of presentation, you feel in She Keeps Me Movin’. However, there are still parts of this rhythmic track, in which the Americana feeling is very obvious. This overall leads to a cool and laid back track, which is one of the best songs of the album.

5. Make Up Your Mind

Already the first tones of Wake Up Your Mind give you some definite country music vibes. However, instruments like the vibraphone lead to a rather pop-ish touch. With 4:40 minutes, the song is one of the longer tracks on this record.

Make up your mind, before it gets too late
You ain’t got much time, don’t hesitate
Make up your mind, Whatcha gonna do?
You’re just wastin’ time, I’m talkin’ to you

6. Thicker Than Mud

Blood is thicker than mud is the key statement of the chorus of this track. The song is comparably rocking, but overall holds some very interesting elements. Even though other songs of the album come with a larger number of instruments, the song is also very catching on the melodic side.

7. Junkyard Dog

David Rodgers on the Hammond organ is opening Junkyard Dog. When guitar and bass are joining, there is a flavor of the Dire Straits. As soon as the two artists share the microphone duties, the song turns into a lovely blending of blues and country elements.

8. Blues’ll Give You Back Your Soul

This almost five minute song spreads strong blues vibes. A very interesting feature of the eighth song of Room Of The Porch is definitely the saxophone, payed by Jeff Coffin.

9. Better Than Ever (feat. Wendy Moten)

The Nashville-based soul singer Wendy Moten is joining the duo in the penultimate song. However, Better Than Ever gave her quite a long shift. It is the only song on this record which is longer than five minutes. The percussion work is lovely.

10. Rough Time Blues

this final part of the album has a much stronger blues signature. This definitely includes Rough Time Blues, in which Ken’ Mo’ and Taj Mahal feel very comfortable. A nice finisher, which is absolutely fitting into the context of the album.

 

Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ – Room On The Porch – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ – Room On The Porch – My View

Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ underline their musical excellence in their sophomore album. Thereby, Room On The Porch offers really good country and blues vibes. I absolutely like this one.

Favorite Song: Thicker Than Mud

 

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