Joe McBride definitely keeps things "real" on his CD
Keepin' It Real. Everything is real smooth, real light, and real contemporary. There is an interesting, if oddball cover of The Sopranos' theme to start things off, but otherwise this is straightforward instrumental pop-jazz.
McBride takes a nice vocal turn on the mid-tempo "Never Let You Go" that is reminiscent of '80s
Peter Cetera. Similarly, "Can't Live Without You" features the pianist on the very
Babyface-sounding acoustic ballad. While nothing here really jumps out and grabs you, fans of
McBride should find the low-key album much to their liking. ~ Matt Collar