Eight years have elapsed since TajMo, a blues record that melded old and new by virtue of guitarists Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’. It was a pleasant, albeit safe, affair, and Room on the Porch proves to be much the same, providing a formidable, if conventional listen. However, like they did on the 2017 album, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ know how to trade vocals, proving that this is as much a labour of love for the two men as it is commerce.
“Make Up Your Mind”, a jaunty exercise in self-reflection, is noteworthy for its use of Stevie Wonder-esque harmonica and stern, semi-Allman Brothers-like slide guitar. It’s the fifth track, pausing the album on a sombre note, before the more raucous “Thicker Than Mud” opens the second side. Mahal sounds crispy on “Thicker Than Mud”, as if imagining what Louis Armstrong would have sounded on a rollicking guitar track. Just as the guitars fade out, an organ enters to open “Junkyard Dog”, Room on the Porch‘s most contemporary sounding track; arguably the most successful to boot.
Fuelled by a combination of Hammond organ and synthesiser, both done by David Rodgers, “Junkyard Dog” features a rock solid drum beat, allowing the co-frontmen to scat over the instrumental outro. It sounds inventive, which is why “Blues’ll Give You Back Your Soul”, the next track on the record, suffers by comparison, echoing the type of brass arrangements that have been part of Van Morrison‘s oeuvre. It’s less of a homage and more of a clumsy copy and paste; strangely limp vocals do little to elevate the song.
John Oates is co-credited on “She Keeps Me Movin'”, which is fitting, because it holds a similar energy to Hall & Oates’ standard “Everytime You Go Away”. Oates even makes a guest appearance as a backing vocalist, and his voice is discernible on the “she keeps me grooving” line.
Mo moves from the six string to banjo on “My Darling My Dear”, a cute melody that is sadly absent of substance. Curiously, Taj Mahal doesn’t seem to have contributed much beyond a raspy harmony on this one, furthering the dissertation that the record works best when the pair work as equals. Keb’ Mo’ takes the lead on the title track, before a wash of vocals, one of them Mahal’s, joins to illustrate a family union based on harmony, hilarity, and music.
Vaudeville blues tune “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” benefits from these vocal exchanges: one younger and saltier, the other older, lower, and muskier. By alternating throughout, the duo have made a staple of Nina Simone‘s catalogue, sound energetic and fresh once more. With “Rough Time Blues”, Taj Mahal dials it back to the formative compositions of his youth, scatting nonsensically over a chiming, plonking guitar, before his companion joins for a jolly duet.
Room on the Porch is unlikely to win either man any new fans, but at this stage of their careers, a trajectory that started as early as the 1960s for Mahal, the guitarists probably aren’t too bothered about that. While the record isn’t bold or brash, it is excellent fun, mirroring a camaraderie and respect heard on the 1985 country music effort by the Highwaymen, Highwayman.
With “She Keeps Me Movin'” and “Junkyard Dog”, the pair have issued two tracks that hold up with the best of their catalogues, creating a foundation for a third effort. Room on the Porch proves there is more room for Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ to create, sing, and be happy with their collective union.