The stage was set up in an unusual way for Daryl Hall and Keb’
Mo‘s appearance Thursday night at Kodak Hall. Surrounding the back and
side walls of the stage was a faux-wood recreation of the music room where Hall
hosts “Live From Daryl’s House.” The webcast features a wide variety of
musicians who come to jam with Hall and his band. Aside from the preoccupation
with food that is part of every one of the shows, Hall and Keb’ Mo’s
performance preserved a large share of the spirit of the webcast.
Hall had an enormously successful career in pop music in the duo Hall &
Oates with John Oates. Now he’s found a way to explore his roots — like the
blues and R&B that Keb’ Mo’ plays — in a jam-session setting and he’s
clearly having the time of his life. Of course, playing with some of the most
accomplished rock musicians to be found anywhere on the stage, it’s not exactly
a loose jam session. But it still had a pretty free feel to it.
Hall looked perpetually hip and youthful in jeans, a black t-shirt, and
black leather jacket. Keb’ Mo’ (short for Kevin Moore) was even slicker, lean
as can be and wearing an exceedingly cool fedora.
Hall definitely got a kick out of singing Keb’ Mo’ songs like “My Baby’s
Tellin’ Lies” and “The Whole Enchilada.” And he clearly admired Keb’ Mo’s
touching song, “We Don’t Need It.” For his part, Keb’ Mo’ was more than willing
to chime in with a verse or two on Hall songs like “Maneater” and “I Can’t Go
For That (No Can Do).” The latter was preceded by a little conversation
typical of the back and forth between Hall and Keb’ Mo’ all night:
Keb’ Mo’: “That’s a bad-ass song!”
Hall: “You know why it’s a bad-ass song? I wrote it about the record
business.”
Many of the Eastman Theatre shows I’ve seen at XRIJFs over the years have
been elaborately choreographed down to the stage patter. This one was
refreshingly loose.
I had planned to hear two excellent visiting guitarists tonight.
Unfortunately, Mark McKnight never made it to ChristChurch. He apparently had travel
problems. But Bjorn Thoroddsen was on stage at the LutheranChurch displaying his dazzling
guitar skills.
On a solo medley of Beatles tunes he played rhythm, lead, and bass
simultaneously, tossed in harmonics, and added percussion while keeping the
bass going. Without missing a beat, he ran through “Here Comes The Sun,” “Day Tripper,” and “Norwegian Wood,” increasing
the complexity as the performance progressed.
Friday I will hear newly discovered arrangements by the great Gil Evans when
Ryan Truesdell’s band (from the EastmanSchool) takes the stage at Montage.
Then I’ll head for ChristChurch,
where Orlando LeFleming’s excellent trio will be playing. I’ll try to fit in
French pianist Jean-Michel Pilc at Hatch Hall. And, finally, I will see the
current group — Fountain of Youth Band — of the legendary drummer Roy Haynes at
Kilbourn Hall.
There are only two nights left of the festival. What are you hoping to see
before it wraps up Saturday?
Looking for more of City’s Jazz Fest coverage? Click
here for City’s 2012 Jazz Fest Guide, click here for
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This article appears in Jun 27 – Jul 3, 2012.
