Keb' Mo' and Robert Cray deliver the music in Greensburg

 Keb' Mo' and Robert Cray brought their traveling blues caravan to the Palace Theater in Greensburg  last night, and played some fine music, both blues and bluesy, to a packed and very appreciative house.

Mo' opened this one with his band (he and Cray trade off opening and closing these shows, so you can never be sure exactly who you'll see first. But each brings the other out for one song early in the set.

So last night, the show started with what might easily be called Keb' Mo's "mo' gentle blues." He's evolved over the years from someone who could uncannily channel great old acoustic blues, into a polished singer/songwriter with a bent for tunes that express an  optimism for life. "Let Your Light Shine" would be a perfect example. It's not hard to hear the bluesy, sometimes gospel roots underneath this.

Combine that philosophy with his own guitar skills and an excellent backing band, and the result is an almost-sweet lyrical and musical effort. "A Better Man" is another example.

But that doesn't mean that he can't tear it up when needed. "Standin' at the Station" is a torchy blues, and when he came out a few songs into Cray's set, the two cranked out some intense guitar and vocals that was one of the night's highlights.

 Cray's set was designed more to please blues lovers, and he didn't disappoint. He's got the grit for pure blues and the soul for a smoother touch. The nice fat, liquid guitar notes don't hurt, either. 

From "Bad Influence" through his final encore, "Sittin' On Top of the World," Cray tackled soulful blues ("The Things You Do to Me," with a steamy guitar solo), funky blues ("Johnny's Gone") and generally tough blues like "The One in the Middle."

There were plenty of blistering solos, and on "One in the Middle," Jim Pugh's soaring. funky organ solo midway turned into a raging duel with Cray's searing guitar. Hair-curling, spine-chilling stuff. 

 Cray shut things down with a ballad and then a driving, electric take on the traditional "Sittin' On Top of the World," a song with an intricate and interesting history.

There were some interesting musical touches during the night, including Mo's use of a keyboard player who doubled on harp, and at one point ran out from behind the keyboards for a tough solo, then ran back to pick up the thread on the keys. Cray used an upright bass in his band, and as mentioned Pugh was very special throughout with organ fills. And with his final bow, Cray applauded the crowd -- another nice touch. 

Unfortunately, it always seems like music is just hitting its best groove when it's time to end. That was the case last night. Oh, well. Them's the blues, baby.