He first started recording in the early 1970s with Jefferson Airplane violinist Papa John Creach. Creach hired him when Moore was just twenty-one years old; Moore appeared on four of Creach's albums.
He was further immersed in the blues with his long stint in the Whodunit Band, headed by Bobby "Blue" Bland producer Monk Higgins. Moore jammed with Albert Collins and Big Joe Turner.
In 1996 he released Just Like You, which featured guest appearances from Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt.
In 2004, he appeared on Amy Grant: Greatest Hits 1986-2004 in a duet entitled "Come Be with Me", which became a modest success on pop radio.
In 2005 he appeared on Buddy Guy's version of "Ain't No Sunshine", along with Tracy Chapman. That same year, he appeared on Eric Clapton's album Back Home. In 2006, he co-wrote the song, "I Hope", with the Dixie Chicks for their album, Taking the Long Way.
Moore also provided vocals to Marcus Miller's 2007 album, Free on the track entitled "Milky Way" and again on Miller's 2008 album entitled, Marcus.
According to Songfacts, in 2010 I See Love was used as the opening theme tune for American sitcom Mike & Molly.
Keb' Mo's website is at http://www.kebmo.com/
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Keb' Mo' is one of the foremost contemporary blues artists. With an endearing sense of faith in humanity evident on most of his tracks and a very interestingly textured voice, this man has successfully merged traditional Delta blues and modern acoustic singer-songwritership. While it's a stretch to call him a traditionalist, Keb' Mo' plays a mean guitar, and the meticulously played guitar on each one of his songs is awe-inspiring.
After spending his early career backing blues artists up, he released his debut album in 1994. He also appeared in Scorsese's film about the blues. As the only man to my knowlege that has incorporated the word "internet" into a blues song, it is clear that Keb' Mo' is unique and has, in an unprecedented manner, carved out his own genre that never fails to make the listener smile.
Last Fair Deal Gone Down
Keb' Mo' Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last fair deal goin' down
It's the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord,
On that Gulfport Island Road1
Please, Ida Belle, don't cry this time
Ida Belle, don't cry this time
If you cry about a nickel, you'll die 'bout a dime
I love the way you do,
I love the way you do
I love the way you do, good Lord,
On this Gulfport Island Road
My captain's so mean on me,
My captain's so mean on me
My captain's so mean on me, good Lord,
On this Gulfport Island Road
Take camp tain he and see, camp ain't he and see
At scal ain't be at seen, good Lord,
On that Gulfport Island Road
Ah, this last fair deal goin' down,
It's the last fair deal goin' down
This' the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord,
On this Gulfport Island Road1
I'm workin' my way back home,
I'm working my way back home
I'm workin' my way back home, good Lord,
On this Gulfport Island Road
And that thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon
That thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon
And that thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon,
Good Lord, on that Gulfed-and-Port Island Road
The song "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" by Keb' Mo' is a blues song that tells a story of a man traveling down Gulfport Island Road. The song is filled with powerful emotions and sadness. The man is on his way back home, but he is worried about the challenges he will face when he gets there. The song emphasizes the struggles of life, and how sometimes we can feel helpless in the face of adversity.
The lyrics "It's the last fair deal goin' down" are repeated several times throughout the song. This line could be interpreted as the man lamenting the lack of opportunities in his life. He is desperate for a break or an opportunity to come his way. The characterization of his captain as "mean" suggests that he is stuck in low-paying employment that does not treat him fairly. The woman, Ida Belle, is a symbol of comfort and support. The man pleads with her not to cry because he does not want to add to her worries.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was originally written and recorded by American blues artist Robert Johnson in 1937. Johnson was a highly influential musician who was known for his guitar playing and haunting voice. Another interesting fact is that the song has been covered by many other blues and rock artists, including Cream, Eric Clapton, and Gillian Welch. Additionally, Keb' Mo' won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 1997 for his album "Just Like You," which featured "Last Fair Deal Gone Down."
Chords:
Intro:
Em - D - Em - D
Verse 1:
Em - D - Em - D
Em - D - Em - D
Em - D - Em - D
Em - D - Em - D
Chorus:
G - D - Em - D
G - D - Em - D
G - D - Em - D
G - D - Em - D
Verse 2:
Em - D - Em - D
Em - D - Em - D
Em - D - Em - D
Em - D - Em - D
Chorus:
G - D - Em - D
G - D - Em - D
G - D - Em - D
G - D - Em - D
Outro:
Em - D - Em - D
Em - D - Em - D
Em - D - Em - D
Em - D - Em - D
Line by Line Meaning
It's the last fair deal goin' down,
This is the final opportunity for a good trade
Last fair deal goin' down
There won't be another chance for a good trade
It's the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord,
This is the final opportunity for a good trade, and it's important to the singer
On that Gulfport Island Road
The location of the last chance for a good trade
Please, Ida Belle, don't cry this time
The singer is asking Ida Belle not to get upset
Ida Belle, don't cry this time
The singer is addressing Ida Belle directly
If you cry about a nickel, you'll die 'bout a dime
If you get upset over something small, you'll only get more upset over something larger
She wouldn't cry, but the money won't mine
Ida Belle won't get upset, but she won't profit from the trade either
I love the way you do,
The singer is expressing affection for someone else's actions
I love the way you do
The singer is repeating the expression of affection
I love the way you do, good Lord,
The singer is expressing deep affection
On this Gulfport Island Road
The location where the object of affection is performing an action
My captain's so mean on me,
The singer's superior is treating them badly
My captain's so mean on me
The singer is repeating the idea of their superior mistreating them
My captain's so mean on me, good Lord,
The singer is expressing their frustration over being mistreated by their superior
On this Gulfport Island Road
The location where the mistreatment is taking place
Take camp tain he and see, camp ain't he and see
This line is unclear and meaning is unknown
At scal ain't be at seen, good Lord,
This line is unclear and meaning is unknown
On that Gulfport Island Road
The location where the unclear lines are taking place
Ah, this last fair deal goin' down,
The final opportunity for a good trade is happening
It's the last fair deal goin' down
The last chance to make a good trade
This' the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord,
The singer is reminding the listener that this is an important trade opportunity
On this Gulfport Island Road
The location of the last fair deal
I'm workin' my way back home,
The singer is heading home
I'm working my way back home
The singer is repeating the idea of heading home
I'm workin' my way back home, good Lord,
The singer is grateful for the opportunity to head home
On this Gulfport Island Road
The location where the singer is heading home
And that thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon
The singer is referring to a warning system that is not giving enough notice
That thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon
The singer is repeating the idea of the inadequate warning system
And that thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon,
The singer is frustrated with the warning system
Good Lord, on that Gulfed-and-Port Island Road
The location where the warning system is inadequate
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: GEORGINA M. GRAPER, KEVIN (KEB' MO') MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angel Flores
on The Whole Enchilada (Bonus Acoustic)
You gon die if u put yo hands on me nigga