The Breakdown

これまでグラミー賞を5度受賞、ブルース界における生ける伝説、KEB' MO'の5年ぶり、17枚目のソロ・アルバム!

カーネギー・ホールからホワイトハウスに至るまで世界各地で公演を行い、B.B.キングからBTSに至るまで幅広いアーティストに楽曲を提供するなど、50年以上にわたるキャリアを築いてきたケブ・モーが、これまでで最もシンプルかつ親密なアルバムを携えて帰ってきた。本作では彼がこれまで一度も試みたことのない挑戦を行っている。それは、レコーディングを自身のギターと歌声、そしてソウェト・ゴスペル・クワイアとゴスペル・セクステットのテイク6による厳選されたヴォーカル・パートのみに絞り込んだことだ。
『The Breakdown』では、結婚や死、そして人間としての経験を探求し、これまでとは一味違う、より親密な世界観を披露。このアルバムはケブ本人と彼のソングライティングの才能にスポットライトを当てており、ゲスト・ヴォーカルが参加している2曲をのぞき、アルバムの残りの部分はケブと彼のギターに焦点を当てており、真の吟遊詩人としての姿を際立たせている。
全10曲を収録した本作は、ナッシュビル郊外にある自宅スタジオでレコーディングされたもので、命を救う開胸手術、20年近く続いた結婚生活の終焉、そして深い個人的な激動の時期を経て書き上げられた。率直で深く誠実な『The Breakdown』は、ケブがこれまでで最も内面をさらけ出した作品であり、時の流れや変化の必然性と向き合いながらも、常に彼を導いてきた希望、信仰、そして愛をしっかりと握りしめ続けている。

In late 2024, while on tour with Slash, Keb Mo experienced severe shortness of breath. He was diagnosed with a leaking heart valve and an aortic aneurysm, requiring extensive open-heart surgery and an extended period of recuperation. At the very same time, he was in the process of a divorce from his wife of nearly 20 years, and his studio was in disrepair. His physical recovery time also offered a period of reflection emotionally and spiritually. The Breakdown, recorded (mostly) solo with an acoustic guitar, is a record of that time. Cut at his Franklin, Tennessee studio, nine of its ten tracks are co-writes. Several were recorded earlier in his career. His writing, rooted in blues, folk, and soul, offers hard-won wisdom in loss and gratitude, with virtuosic fingerpicking and wry, poignant, and revelatory lyrics. Set opener "Fussin and Fightin," co-written with soul-blues legend Arthur Adams, is delivered on a National Steel guitar. Its lyric is bittersweet and reaffirms his love while addressing profound difficulties in his relationship. Its direct without being philosophical or sophomoric. "Every Step of the Way" was co-written with Lauren Lucas, part of his composing team for the score of Netflixs comedy series Leanne, and a member of the all-female Americana quartet Farewell Angelina. In its infectious melody, one cant help but hear the hook and lithe groove as contemporary soul (think Terry Callier). Mo offers gratitude as an attitude for everything and everyone in his life: "... I don’t know, what’s ’round the next turn/But I’ll win, or I’ll learn/No matter where my road leads/I’m gonna be grateful for every step of the way…. " "Don’t Make Em (Like They Used To)" features guest vocals by gospel sextet Take 6. Co-written with engineer Zach Allen, it wryly reimagines a long-present male response to feminine equality, then makes it a celebration of modern societys changing gender roles. "More Yesterdays," written with Mark Beeson, is a manifesto in seeking redemption while taking life as an exercise in gratitude and awareness while giving and seeking love. "Hand It Over” was originally released in 1996. It takes on new life as a directive with the participation of South Africas Soweto Gospel Choir. The poignant, tender "Living in the Moment," co-written with Andrea Weltman, was composed nearly 50 years ago. "Stitched Up Heart,” co-written with Rebecca Correia, is a thank-you love letter to the surgeon who saved his life, and an ode to the healing power of human connection. Closer "One Day Away" was written with Colin Linden. Its soft fingerpicking frames a lyric that offers self-reflection and encouragement to others who are struggling: "... Theres a window and theres a door/That leads you to a place you’ve never been before/You may be closer than you think/To your miracle…." In Mos large catalog, The Breakdown is unique in its intimacy, strength, vulnerability, resolve, and humility. ~ Thom Jurek