May 10, 2019: Blues by the Bay

Redwood City, CA
Fox Theater

Anticipation can either enhance or completely ruin an experience. When you've waited a long time for something, the build up to the event can sometimes overwhelm the event itself. I bought my ticket to see Keb' Mo' at the Fox Theater in Redwood City -- about 10 minutes from my house -- in October. I could hardly believe my eyes when I got the email from the Fox that he'd be playing in May. I first heard Keb' Mo' in 1994 and fell in love with his eponymous "debut" album. (His true first album had been released a decade earlier to underwhelming response.) At the time I was really looking for some new sounds beyond my usual classic rock vibe and my favorite radio station at the time was playing an eclectic mix of music that included not just rock of the current and previous few decades, but a bit of blues and other genres. I soon made sure to pick up new Keb' Mo' CDs as they were released over the years and just fell in love with his delta blues style. Due to a variety of circumstances, however, I'd never gotten to see him perform live. Most recently, he was at the Mountain Winery last summer with Taj Mahal, but as I had been laid off at the end of 2017 and just started a new job in April my budget was a little tight for concert tickets. So, after 25 years of waiting, was the anticipation worth it or was I disappointed? I was definitely NOT disappointed.

It's been a busy few weeks at work. Lots of getting in early and leaving late (ish) as I've been supporting two extra teams in my office while the hunt is on for an additional EA. I actually thought the show was last Friday as I drove to work last week and was relieved when I saw it was still a week out. Hopefully I'd have a slow Friday and could go out and enjoy the evening. Alas, that was not to be. It was another hectic week and equally hectic Friday and I was pretty tired when I left work a little after 5. Back in October I had thought I'd go out for dinner before the show as a nice Friday evening, but as I left work I knew if I did that I'd fall asleep at the show. So I headed back home and took a quick power nap before making myself a light dinner.  Showtime was 8:00, so I left the house about 7:30 and headed off to Redwood City.

I hadn't been a show at the Fox in a while -- I usually go to the smaller Club Fox next door -- and it was nice to see how they set it up for a regular show. The Fox is an old movie theater that has been remodeled for use as a live music and theater venue. The front of the theater had removable chairs set up rather than the traditional bolted in seating found in the back of the theater. That allows for some GA type shows such as the benefit show Gregg Rolie did back in 2007. I headed down to my seat in the second row and was pleasantly surprised to find it was nearly center stage. The stage was set up fairly simply with a stool and microphone set in front of a back drop with "Keb' Mo'" in lights. There was another stool and microphone off to the side of the stage that I guessed would be for a second backing musician. It was actually for the opening act, a young blues guitarist named Jontavious Willis. He was very entertaining for his 30 minute or so set singing and cracking jokes. I didn't hit the swag table at all, but I definitely think I'll pick up his album.

Keb' Mo' hit the stage about 9:00 and I immediately started smiling and I didn't stop until the show was over. My face hurt! I've never left a concert with my face hurting! (Well, maybe that weekend in Michigan.) I haven't bought a Keb' Mo' album in a few years had been a little afraid he'd be playing tunes I wasn't as familiar with as I was with his mid-90s-early 2000s stuff. Nope, he played many of my favorite tracks from those albums. There were a few songs I hadn't heard before, but I enjoyed them almost as much as the ones I did know well. The show had a real intimate feel with just Keb' and his guitar on stage. It was a great vibe. A couple of personal highlights for me were "More Than One Way Home" and "House in California." The former is probably my favorite song of his, the latter is amusing and oh-so-true even more now than it was 20+ years ago. Jontavious Willis came out towards the end of the show for one song and it was fun seeing them play off each other.

Sometimes it can be difficult to describe the emotion and power of live music. I went into that show absolutely worn out from a busy work week and left three hours later invigorated with a relaxed and happy feeling that's stayed with me. Sitting in that theater and thinking "oh I love this song! .... I love this song too!.... Wow I'm so glad I finally got to this show!" all night long is just a great feeling. Just letting the music wash over me and take me out of time and space for a little while is a magical experience.

Who knew the blues could make you so happy?

Set list (courtesy setlist.fm)

Every Morning
Angelina
Just Like You
You Can Love Yourself
Soon as I Get Paid
Henry
More Than One Way Home
House in California
Life Is Beautiful
Am I Wrong
Anybody Seen My Girl
Government Cheese
Infinite Eyes
The Old Me Better
Old Walkin Blues (with Jontavious Willis)
I Remember You
This is Where I Belong
Put a Woman in Charge
Hand It Over

Encore:
She Just Wants to Dance
Shave Yo' Legs
I'll Be Your Water