Photos by Andy Argyrakis

On their own, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ are already nothing short of true American treasures, but turn them into collaborators in the studio or on stage, and they are indeed a super duo of the highest order.

Though neither are strangers to the esteemed outdoor environment of Ravinia, the “Room On The Porch” Tour marked the first time they appeared together, where for 90 minutes backed by a sterling six-piece band, featuring Chicago’s own Anne Harris on violin, the longtime friends focused mainly on that project, plus sprinkled in a few solos.

At 83-years-old, Mahal understandably sat the entire evening, yet his gritty vocals, hearty guitar chops and harmonica howls remained as anyone would remember, while the 73-year-old Mo’ was also top-shelf on each as well.

They of course share an affinity for several shades of roots music, spanning blues, Americana, country and R&B, all of which were on display throughout the likes of originals “She Keeps Me Movin’,” “Better Than Ever” and “Don’t Leave Me Here,” the latter coming from 2017’s “TajMo” debut.

A handful of covers exhibited their interpretive expertise, including Jimmy Cox’s “Nobody Knows When You’re Down And Out” alongside their backers, then a little later, the pair unplugging for Sleepy John Estes’ “Diving Duck Blues.”

In between, they turned in many additional organic expressions with meaty grooves, such as “Ain’t Nobody Talking,” “Junkyard Dog” and “Shake Me In Your Arms Tonight,” trading lines and licks in a light-heartedly competitive manner that only seemed to elevate one another’s game.

Mahal dug even deeper for his individual standards “Going Up To The Country, Paint My Mailbox Blue” and “Queen Bee,” followed by Mo’ joyfully delivering the sing-a-long “She Just Wants To Dance” as everyone rose to their feet.

However, the closer “All Around The World” elicited the most emotion as the co-headliners made a global call for unity, and in the process, assured Ravinia their significant legacies would never be forgotten anywhere on earth.

For additional information on Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’, visit TajBlues.com and KebMo.com.

Upcoming shows at Ravinia include The Black Crowes (Jun. 18); James Taylor And His All-Star Band (Jun. 19); David Foster and Chris Botti (Jun. 20); Dispatch and John Butler (Jun. 21); Diana Krall (Jun. 22); Lindsey Stirling (Jun. 26); The Roots (Jun. 27); Al Green (Jun. 28); “Weird Al” Yankovic (Jun. 29); Nas (Jul. 2); Chicago (Jul. 5); Kygo (Jul. 6); Chucho Valdés, Paquito D’Rivera and Arturo Sandoval (Jul. 9); Sutton Foster & Kelli O’Hara (Jul. 13); Juanes (Jul. 15); Classic Albums Live: Eagles’ “Hotel California” (Jul. 19); Beck (Jul. 23); Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms (Jul. 26); Lang Lang (Jul. 31); Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience (Aug. 1); Train (Aug. 2); King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (Aug. 6); Earth, Wind & Fire (Aug. 7); Laurie Berkner (Aug. 9); Cynthia Erivo (Aug. 15); Lenny Kravitz (Aug. 21); Maren Morris (Aug. 22); John Legend (Aug. 23-24); UB40 (Aug. 27); “The Sound Of Music” Sing-Along (Aug. 28); “Infinity Saga” Concert Experience (Aug. 29); Ray LaMontagne (Aug. 30) and Fiesta Ravinia (Aug. 31). For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.

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