five-time GRAMMY winner Keb’ Mo’ released a cover of Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me” from his forthcoming album Good To Be that will be released on January 21, 2021 via Rounder Records. Good To Be is now available for pre-order.
“‘Lean on Me’ is probably one of the most famous songs about friendship. I wanted to record it to honor my friend, Bill Withers, who we sadly lost last year. What makes this version special to me is the contribution from my lifelong friend, the Freedom Rider, Ernest ‘Rip’ Patton, who passed on this year. This was the last time I got to record his booming bass voice. I’m gonna miss calling on my brothers,” explains Kevin Moore, who is best known by his stage name Keb’ Mo’.
Last Month, Keb’ Mo’ announced the album with the official video for “Good Strong Woman” featuring Darius Rucker, which was praised by American Songwriter, Billboard, Wide Open Country and many more. Guitar World said the song “…flexes the guitarist’s impeccable blues-based abilities via some pinpoint slide licks, as well as his supremely soulful vocals.” Earlier this year, he released “Sunny and Warm” and “The Medicine Man” (feat. Old Crow Medicine Show), which will both appear on the forthcoming album.
Good To Be was co-produced by Keb’ Mo’ alongside country music legend Vince Gill, who produced three of the album’s 13 tracks, and three-time GRAMMY winner Tom Hambridge (B.B. King, Buddy Guy). Darius Rucker, Kristin Chenoweth, and Old Crow Medicine Show all make guest appearances on the album.
The album was written between Nashville and his childhood home in Compton, California, which Keb’ recently purchased and renovated. He often found himself reflecting on the idea of home and contemplating what it means to belong and what it takes to stay true to yourself. “You can’t bring an attitude to Compton,” reflects Keb’. “You can’t pose. You can’t be anything but real when you’re walking down the same streets you used to ride your bike on as a kid. In a lot of ways, coming back there felt like it completed me.”
Good To Be Tracklist:
01) Good To Be (Home Again)
02) So Easy
03) Sunny and Warm
04) Good Strong Woman (feat. Darius Rucker)
05) The Medicine Man (feat. Old Crow Medicine Show)
06) Marvelous to Me
07) Lean on Me
08) Like Love
09) Dressed Up in Blue
10) ‘62 Chevy
11) Louder
12) So Good to Me
13) Quiet Moments (feat. Kristin Chenoweth)
Tour Dates:
11/14/21: Atlanta, GA – City Winery (2 Shows)
11/15/21: Atlanta, GA – City Winery (2 Shows)
11/16/21: Charleston, SC – Gaillard Center
12/09/21: Nashville, TN – Country Music Hall of Fame (Keb’ Mo’ Solo)
12/11/21: Nashville, TN – Country Music Hall of Fame
01/20/22: Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere
01/21/22: Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere
01/22/22: Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage (2 Shows)
01/23/22: Easton, MD – Avalon Theatre
01/25/22: Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall
01/28/22: Portsmouth, NH – The Music Hall
01/30/22: New York, NY – City Winery
01/31/22: New York, NY – City Winery
02/02/22: Fairfield, CT – The Warehouse
02/03/22: East Greenwich, RI – Greenwich Odeum
02/04/22: Brownfield, ME – Stone Mountain Arts Center
02/05/22: Waterville, ME – Waterville Opera House
02/11/22: Orlando, FL – Phillips Center (Keb’ Mo’ Solo)
03/01/22: Fort Lauderdale, FL – Parker Playhouse
03/03/22: Stuart, FL – Start Theatre (6:00 pm)
03/03/22: Stuart, FL – The Lyric Theatre (8:30 pm)
03/04/22: Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
03/05/22: Newberry, SC – Newberry Opera House
4/13/22: Grass Valley, CA – Center For The Arts Grass Valley
4/15/22: Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre
4/26/22: Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up
4/27/22: Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up
7/14/22: Colorado Springs, CO – Pikes Peak Center
