Keb' Mo' Movies
Keb' Mo' draws heavily on the old-fashioned country blues style of Robert Johnson, but keeps his sound contemporary with touches of soul and folksy storytelling. He writes much of his own material and has applied his acoustic, electric, and slide guitar skills to jazz and rock-oriented bands, as well. Born Kevin Moore in Los Angeles to parents of Southern descent, he was exposed to gospel music at a young age. At 21, Moore joined an R&B band later hired for a tour by Papa John Creach and played on three of Creach's albums. Opening for jazz and rock artists such as the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jefferson Starship, and Loggins & Messina helped broaden Moore's horizons and musical abilities. He cut an R&B-based solo album, Rainmaker, in 1980 for Casablanca, which promptly folded. In 1983, he joined Monk Higgins' band as a guitarist and met a number of blues musicians who collectively increased his understanding of the music. He subsequently joined a vocal group called the Rose Brothers and gigged around L.A. Moore portrayed a Delta bluesman in a local play called Rabbit Foot in 1990 and later playing Robert Johnson in a docudrama called Can't You Hear the Wind Howl? He released his self-titled debut album as Keb' Mo' in 1994, featuring two Robert Johnson covers, 11 songs written or co-written by Moore, and his guitar and banjo work. Keb' Mo' performed a well-received set at the 1995 Newport Folk Festival. His second album, Just Like You, was equally well-received. Slow Down followed in 1998 and Door was issued two years later. ~ All Movie GuideTyrone (Danny Glover) is the proprietor of the Honeydripper juke joint. When business at the once-popular club begins to trail off and Tyrone hires unpredictable electric guitarist Sonny (Gary Clark Jr.) against his better judgment, Tyrone's last-ditch bid to draw in crowds during harvest time has surprising results that neither desperate Tyrone nor the ambitious Sonny could have ever anticipated. Blues guitarist Keb' Mo' co-stars in the film, which was written and directed by John Sayles. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Danny Glover, Lisa Gay Hamilton, (more)
A musician who is supposed to mend his ways ends up changing the habits of a group of fellow inmates in this comedy. Wesley Benfield (William Lee Scott) is a guitar player with a habit of walking on the wrong side of the law. One night, Benfield gets into a fistfight in a Missouri honky-tonk, and when police discover the car he drove to the club is stolen, it's not long before he finds himself standing before a judge. Benfield is ordered to move into a half-way house near a small Baptist college, and as part of his therapy he joins in a small gospel combo comprised of the house's residents. However, Benfield is a lot more interested in playing the blues; with a bit of persuading, he convinces his bandmates to pursue a new musical direction, and they start sneaking out at night to play shows at a local nightspot. Killer Diller co-stars Fred Willard, Lucas Black, John Michael Higgins, Mary Kay Place, and veteran blues artist Taj Mahal. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Lee Scott, Lucas Black, (more)
The United States Congress named 2003 the "Year of the Blues" as part of an initiative by several musical education groups to make more Americans aware of the history and heritage of blues music, one of America's most important homegrown art forms. To kick off this celebration of the blues, a special concert was held at New York City's historic Radio City Music Hall, and Lightning in a Bottle documents a memorable evening of music from a star-studded roster of artists. Offering a glimpse at the rehearsals and preparations that went into putting the show together as well as the evening's best performances, Lightning in a Bottle includes appearances by B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Macy Gray, Buddy Guy, Chuck D., Solomon Burke, David Johansen, Jimmie Vaughan and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Alison Krauss, and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Ruth Brown, (more)
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Monica (Roma Downey) continues struggling with her emotions as Tess (Della Reese) sinks deeper and deeper into Alzheimers' Disease. Tess' plight makes Monica's current assignment, to help reformed wastrel Kevin Greeley (Charlie Schlatter, repeating his role from the third-season episode "Inherit the Wind", adopt his foster son despite resistance from a woman named Hannah (Jenice Bergere), who claims to be the boy's real mother. The fact that Hannah works in the same nursing home where Tess is currently residing is a subtle hint that somehow, some way, the episode's two main crises will intertwine. Ossie Davis and Keb Mo' make return visits as the Archangel Gabriel and the Angel of Music. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
When First Unto This Country narrates the origins of American roots music and follows its development through the 1920s. When Africans and Europeans founded the new world in the 17th century, each ethnic group brought its unique musical heritage to the new world. It was the combination of these different heritages that created a uniquely American music, or, American roots music. At the beginning of the 20th century, scholars and musicians became more aware of this musical legacy. At first, traveling musicians had spread blues, folk songs, and "hillbilly" music. The Fisk Jubilee Singers traveled widely in the 1870s, popularizing African-American spirituals. Later, the phonograph and radio accelerated the process, carrying local sounds beyond their region of origin. Ralph Peer recorded both Jimmie Rogers and the Carter Family in 1927 in Bristol, TN, while WSM in Nashville began to broadcast a Saturday night barn dance in 1925, later to be called the Grand Ole Opry. When First Unto This Country includes rare footage of country music founder Rodgers and blues legend Son House, and interviews with Ricky Skaggs, Bonnie Raitt, and Pete Seeger. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Movie Guide
In the conclusion of Touched by an Angel's two-part Season Seven finale, angel Monica (Roma Downey) and psychiatrist Rebecca Markham (Faye Dunaway) continue their (extremely separate!) efforts to help Diana Winslow (Delta Burke), a member of a famous gospel-singing family group, come to grips with the death of Danny Winslow--and to locate Diana's brother-in-law Jed (Randy Travis), who caused the accident that killed Danny. Diana remembers nothing of the tragedy, while Joshua Winslow (John Schneider), son of family patriarch Carter Winslow (John Schneider) remains on life support. Although the taciturn Carter is unable to forgive Jed, his wife Lila (Rue McClanahan) may be willing to do so--and forgiveness is the only thing that can keep the family from permanently breaking apart. Of course, Monica's first concern is the Winslows, but it turns out that Dr. Markham needs her assistance as well. Musical highlights in this episode, performed by the formidable guest-star lineup as well as the real-life gospel aggregation The Gaither Homecoming Singers, include "Shallow Water", "See Myself In You", "Don't Ever Sell Your Saddle", "God Trying to Get Your Attention". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the first episode of Touched by an Angel's two-part Season Seven finale, Monica (Roma Downey) is celebrating her newly acquired ability to see humans "from the inside out." It doesn't take long to find the perfect test for her new skills, as manifested in a famous gospel-singing aggregation called the Winslow Family. When the group splits up after a bitter argument, Monica is certain that she can bring them back together--and thenl tragedy strikes. The bulk of the story is told in the form of a therapy session, as the troubled Diana Winslow (Delta Burke) tries to assuage her sorrow with the assistance of her cynical psychiatrist Rebecca Markham (Faye Dunaway). Among those appearing as the Winslows are guest stars Randy Travis, David Canary, John Schneider and Rue McClanahan, as well as the members of the real-life gospel group The Gaither Homecoming Singers. Musical highlights include "Shallow Water", "Oh, What a Time" and "Because He Lives". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The famous candy factory Taffy Town has been inherited from its jovial creator Uncle Dudley (Louie Anderson in a cameo role) by his less-than jovial son Bo (Greg Evigan). Having no great affection for Taffy Town, Bo has allowed the business to run into the ground. Enter Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey), in the guise of an efficiency expert hired to turn Taffy Town around. Though it would seem that the dispirited Bo is Monica's "client" on this occasion, there are several others who need her help, notably Bo's employees Clarence (Tom Sullivan), Susi (Joe Dee Messina), Norma (Jennifer Holliday) and Isaac (Keb' Mo'). Curiously, the solution to everyone's problems involves transforming the Taffy Town work force into a singing group. Alas, a devastating explosion nearly ends Monica's reclamation project before it begins. Musical highlights in this episode include "Hand it Over", sung by Keb' Mo'; "I Have Decided", sung by Joe Dee Messina"; "My Tribute", sung by Jennifer Holliday; and "How Great Thou Art, sung by Greg Evigan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

- 1999
- Add The Blues Guitar of Keb' Mo': Basic Techniques for the Contemporary Player to QueueAdd The Blues Guitar of Keb' Mo': Basic Techniques for the Contemporary Player to top of Queue
This video features the talented Keb Mo teaching the viewer some of the techniques that make him one of the most distinctive blues guitarists of his time. Starting with basic Blues techniques, the tape then provides tips on how to play Keb Mo's songs. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Granted one hour by Andrew (John Dye) to set his affairs in order before his death, wealthy old Edward Greeley (John McMartin) uses the time he has left to straighten out his spoiled-rotten son Kevin (Charlie Schlatter). After Edward shuffles off his mortal coil, Kevin is shocked to learn that his dad has cut him out of his will. Enter angelic caseworker Tess (Della Reese) in the guise of a lawyer, informing Kevin that he must embark upon a cross-country odyssey in search of one Joseph Wells (whom he's never even heard of!) to claim his inheritance. Along the way, Kevin learns a few sobering life lessons from a philosophical dishwasher who looks a lot like Tess' supervisor Sam (Paul Winfield), and from no less than the Angel of Music, played by singer Keb' Mo'. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

- 1997
- Add Can't You Hear the Wind Howl? The Life and Music of Robert Johnson to QueueAdd Can't You Hear the Wind Howl? The Life and Music of Robert Johnson to top of Queue
A mix of new interviews with old footage and recordings, this documentary, narrated by Danny Glover, highlights legendary Mississippi blues guitarist-singer Robert Johnson (1911-38). Kevin Moore (who records as Keb Mo) appears as Johnson in narrated reenactment sequences, and producer Don Law is portrayed by Don Law Jr. With both color and black-and-white footage, the film traces the brief but extremely influential career of this near-mythic figure, generally regarded as the king of the Delta blues. Shown at the 1997 Boston Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Danny Glover, Keb' Mo', (more)

- 1997
- NR
- Add The Best of Sessions at West 54th, Vol. 1 to QueueAdd The Best of Sessions at West 54th, Vol. 1 to top of Queue
Sessions At West 54th is an acclaimed PBS series that features some of the finest artists in contemporary pop music performing live in an intimate setting. This video features highlights from the show's first season, including performances by Suzanne Vega, Emmylou Harris, Patti Smith, Wynton Marsalis, Ben Folds Five, Ani DiFranco, Richard Thompson, Shawn Colvin, Rickie Lee Jones, Keb Mo and more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

- 1997
- Add Keb' Mo': Sessions at West 54th - Recorded Live in New York to QueueAdd Keb' Mo': Sessions at West 54th - Recorded Live in New York to top of Queue
Sessions at West 54th is an hour-long program taped at Sony Music Studios in New York City that features live performances from an eclectic group of musicians in various musical styles. In this edition, blues artist Keb Mo performs 15 songs before a live studio audience. The intimate concert setting with 200 fans was recorded June 10, 1997. Also included is an offstage interview with the two-time Grammy winner. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide


















