Review by Dan Rozman; Photos by Mark Raker
On a cool June evening at Wolf Trap, something special happened when Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ brought their “Room On The Porch Tour” to Virginia. These two blues masters have real chemistry together, and it showed from the moment they stepped on stage.
Wolf Trap is one of those venues that gets it right. Located in the Virginia countryside near Vienna, this outdoor amphitheater has been hosting great shows since 1971. Built into the rolling hills, it makes you feel like you’re part of the landscape. The covered pavilion up front and the big lawn stretching back give people different ways to experience the music. There’s something about hearing live music outdoors that’s hard to beat – the sound mixes with the trees and the evening air in a way that indoor venues can’t match.
Making his Wolf Trap debut, Abraham Alexander opened the show, and he has an incredible story. Born in Greece to parents who’d immigrated from Africa, he ended up in Texas when he was eleven. Then tragedy struck – his mom was killed by a drunk driver. Eventually, a Texas family adopted him, and music became his way through the pain. You could hear all of that life experience in his voice when he sang “Stay,” which tells that story. His guitar work was impressive too, with Spanish-influenced touches that caught everyone’s attention. This is the kind of young talent that keeps the blues alive and growing.
When Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ took the stage, you could feel the excitement in the crowd. Taj made quite an entrance, dancing and shuffling his way out – it was fun to watch and set the tone for the whole evening. They are so different – Taj’s from New York originally, grew up in Massachusetts, and he’s been mixing blues with music from all over the world since the ’60s. Keb’ Mo’ is an LA guy who’s pulled from everything – pop, rock, country, you name it. But when they get together, it all makes sense.
Taj had his usual collection of instruments – acoustic guitar, resonator guitar, and banjo – while Keb’ Mo’ switched between electric and acoustic guitars all night. They kicked things off with two songs from their new album “Room On The Porch”: the groove-heavy “She Keeps Me Moving” and the love song “Better Than Ever.” Many people knew these tracks already and were singing along and swaying to every beat. Then they jumped back to their first collaboration with “Don’t Leave Me Here” from that Grammy-winning album they made back in 2017.
One of the highlights of the night came when the whole band stepped back and left just Taj and Keb’ Mo’ up there alone. They did two beautiful covers – “Rough Time Blues” by young blues player Jontavious Willis, and “Diving Duck Blues” by old-school legend Sleepy John Estes. Just two voices, two guitars, and the night air. It was the kind of moment that reminds you why live music matters.
They didn’t forget about their solo songs either. Taj pulled out two of his classics: “Going Up to the Country, Paint My Mailbox Blue” and “Queen Bee.” That second one got a huge reaction – it’s one of those songs that just hits you right in the heart. They wrapped up the main set with “That’s Who I Am.” By that point, the whole crowd was completely won over.
For their encore, they returned with Keb’ Mo’s “She Just Wants to Dance” and closed the night with “All Around The World,” sending the audience home with smiles despite the earlier rain.
What made this concert special wasn’t just the music, though both men are masters of their craft. Taj’s voice has this warm, comfortable quality that makes you feel like you’re sitting on a front porch with an old friend. Keb’ Mo’s guitar work is clean and precise, and his vocals are crystal clear. Together, they create something that honors the blues tradition while still sounding fresh and modern.
These guys have spent decades keeping the blues alive while making it their own. Taj has brought in sounds from Africa, the Caribbean, Hawaii – all over the world. Keb’ Mo’ has mixed in everything from pop to country music. They’ve been in movies, documentaries, the whole deal. But at the end of the day, they’re just two musicians who love what they do and aren’t afraid to show it.
This Wolf Trap show proved their partnership is only getting stronger. Nine years after they first started recording together, they’re still finding new ways to surprise each other and their audiences. Sometimes you worry that musical collaborations are just business deals, but with Taj and Keb’ Mo’, you can tell it’s the real thing. Their joy was contagious that June night, reminding everyone in the crowd why the blues will always have a place in our hearts.
Setlist:
She Keeps Me Movin’
Better Than Ever
Don’t Leave Me Here
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out (Jimmy Cox cover)
Ain’t Nobody Talking
My Darling, My Dear
Junkyard Dog
Shake Me in Your Arms Tonight
Rough Time Blues (Jontavious Willis cover) (Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ only)
Diving Duck Blues (Sleepy John Estes cover) (Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ only)
Room on the Porch (preceded by band Introductions)
Thicker Than Mud
Going Up to the Country, Paint My Mailbox Blue (Taj Mahal cover)
Queen Bee (Taj Mahal cover)
That’s Who I Am
Encore:
She Just Wants to Dance (Keb’ Mo’ cover)
All Around the World
