b. October 14th, 1957 in Erwinville (Louisiana)
BIO ON THE BAYOU
King Snake
Bedrock
BIG NEWS FROM BATON ROUGE
Alligator
1988
Fils du bluesman Raful Neal, il joue aux côtés de son père, dès son plus jeune âge. En 1976, il est recruté par Buddy Guy en tant que bassiste et tourne avec lui plusieurs années. Devenu guitariste, Kenny forme un groupe avec ses frères et s'installe à Toronto (Canada) pendant un an et demi. Puis, il fait partie du groupe local Down Child Blues Band jusqu'en 1983, année de son retour en Louisiane. C'est sa rencontre avec le producteur Bob Greenlee - qui a fondé le label King Snake - qui lui permet d'enregistrer son premier album. Il s'y montre excellent chanteur, guitariste et harmoniciste. Dans ce programme prometteur mais inégal - entre Swamp Blues et blues contemporain - on retient notamment "Outside looking in", "Caught your back door man", "Loretta", "Baby bee". Le disque fut remixé et réédité par Alligator.
The son of bluesman Raful Neal, he played alongside his father from a very young age. In 1976, he was recruited by Buddy Guy as a bassist and toured with him for several years. After becoming a guitarist, Kenny formed a band with his brothers and moved to Toronto (Canada) for a year and a half. He then played with the local group Down Child Blues Band until 1983, the year he returned to Louisiana. His meeting with producer Bob Greenlee — who founded the King Snake label — allowed him to record his first album. On it, he proved himself an excellent singer, guitarist and harmonica player. In this promising but uneven program — ranging from swamp blues to contemporary blues — we can point out "Outside looking in", "Caught your back door man", "Loretta", "Baby bee". The album was remixed and reissued by Alligator.
DEVIL CHILD
Alligator
1989
Désormais lié au label Alligator, Kenny Neal propose ce second album qu'il co-produit avec Bob Greenlee. Entouré d'un groupe compétent (son ami Lucky Peterson aux claviers, son frère Noel Neal à la basse), Kenny délivre un bon disque de blues contemporain avec des titres accrocheurs comme "Any fool will do", "Bad check", "The son I never knew", "On my way to heaven", "I owe it all to you" (avec Edgar Winter au saxophone).
Now signed to the Alligator label, Kenny Neal presents this second album which he co-produced with Bob Greenlee. Surrounded by a competent backing band (his friend Lucky Peterson on keyboards, his brother Noel Neal on bass), Kenny delivers a solid contemporary blues album with catchy tracks like "Any fool will do", "Bad check", "The son I never knew", "On my way to heaven", "I owe it all to you" (featuring Edgar Winter on saxophone).
WALKING ON FIRE
Alligator
1990
Dans ce nouvel album pour Alligator, Kenny délivre, encore une fois, une poignée de compositions bien senties comme "The truth hurts", "I put my trust in you", "Morning after", "I.O.U", "My only good thing", "Things got to get better". Comme précédemment, Lucky Peterson aux claviers et Bob Greenlee à la co-production.
In this new album for Alligator, Kenny delivers, once again, a handful of heartfelt compositions such as "The truth hurts", "I put my trust in you", "Morning after", "I.O.U", "My only good thing", "Things got to get better". As before, Lucky Peterson is on keyboards and Bob Greenlee is co-producing.
BAYOU BLOOD
Alligator
1992
Quatrième livraison pour le label Alligator : Kenny Neal y est toujours accompagné de la même équipe et propose un album plus inspiré et construit. On peut ressortir de ce programme très consistant "Howling at the moon", "Right train wrong track", "Gonna put you out of my misery", "Lightning's gonna strike", "Do I have to go that far", l'instrumental "Neal and prey", "I can read between the lines".
Fourth release for the Alligator label : Kenny Neal is once again accompanied by the same team and offers a more inspired and structured album. Highlights from this very consistent program include "Howling at the moon", "Right train wrong track", "Gonna put you out of my misery", "Lightning's gonna strike", "Do I have to go that far", the instrumental "Neal and prey", "I can read between the lines".
THE ALLIGATOR RECORDS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Alligator
1992
Un titre pour Noël issu des séances du précédent album ("Christmas time in the country").
A Christmas song from the sessions for the previous album ("Christmas time in the country").
HOODOO MOON
Alligator
1994
Voila donc le cinquième et dernier opus de Kenny Neal pour le label Alligator de Bruce Iglauer. Accompagné de son groupe régulier (Lucky Peterson, Noel Neal, Ken Johnson) et des King Snake Horns, il délivre encore un beau set de blues contemporain et brille à la guitare et au chant. La tracklist, puissante et variée, contient d'excellents morceaux comme "I'm a bluesman", "Don't fix our love", "Just one step", "If heartaches were nickels", "Hoodoo moon", "Believe in yourself" et la reprise de "It hurts me too".
This is Kenny Neal's fifth and final album for Bruce Iglauer's Alligator label. Accompanied by his regular band (Lucky Peterson, Noel Neal, Ken Johnson) and the King Snake Horns, he delivers another fine set of contemporary blues, shining on guitar and vocals. The powerful and varied tracklist contains excellent tracks such as "I'm a bluesman", "Don't fix our love", "Just one step", "If heartaches were nickels", "Hoodoo moon", "Believe in yourself" and a cover of "It hurts me too".
A TRIBUTE TO HOWLIN' WOLF
Telarc
July 1997
Dans cet album hommage à Howlin' Wolf, Kenny reprend "The red rooster" avec d'excellents sidemen (Henry Gray, Hubert Sumlin, Calvin Jones, Sam Lay).
In this Howlin' Wolf tribute album, Kenny covers "The red rooster" with excellent sidemen (Henry Gray, Hubert Sumlin, Calvin Jones, Sam Lay).
BLUES FALLIN' DOWN LIKE RAIN
Telarc
October - December 1997
Après une belle et fructueuse période chez Alligator, Kenny signe pour le label Telarc. La production est, dorénavant, l'oeuvre de Randy Labbe mais ses frères restent présents à ses côtés (Darnell à la basse et Fredrick aux claviers). Les nombreuses reprises ne sortent pas vraiment du lot, il vaut mieux pointer les quelques compositions originales parfois sympathiques ("Shadow on the moon", "Just a matter of time", "Full time fool").
After a successful run with Alligator Records, Kenny signed with Telarc. Production was now handled by Randy Labbe but his brothers remained on board (Darnell on bass and Fredrick on keyboards). The numerous covers didn't particularly stand out, it's better to highlight the few original compositions, some of which are quite enjoyable ("Shadow on the moon", "Just a matter of time", "Full time fool").
EASY MEETING
Isabel
DOUBLE TAKE
Alligator
May 1998
Séance acoustique enregistrée en France en 1998, produite par Didier Tricard et publiée par son label Isabel, cinq ans plus tard. L'album fut ensuite repris par le label américain Alligator. Associant Billy Branch et Kenny Neal, les deux hommes se partagent le chant (Kenny étant un bien meilleur chanteur que son acolyte) et se montrent plutôt inspirés sur leur instrument respectif malgré un certain manque d'originalité. "The son I never knew" reste de loin le meilleur titre du programme.
Acoustic session recorded in France in 1998, produced by Didier Tricard and issued by his label Isabel, five years later. The album was later taken over by the American label Alligator. Associating Billy Branch and Kenny Neal, the two men share singing duties (Kenny being a much better singer than his sidekick) and are rather inspired on their respective instrument despite a certain lack of originality. "The son I never knew" is by far the best title of the program.
THE SONGS OF WILLIE DIXON
Telarc
July - August 1998
Dans cet album hommage à Willie Dixon, Kenny reprend "Bring it on home".
In this Willie Dixon tribute album, Kenny covers "Bring it on home".
HOMESICK FOR THE ROAD
Telarc
September 1998
La réunion de trois bons guitaristes sous la supervision du producteur Randy Labbe : Debbie Davies, Tab Benoit et Kenny Neal. Ensemble ou chacun leur tour, ils délivrent un opus intéressant et plein de feeling : Tab Benoit sur "Down in the swamp" et "I put a spell on you", Debbie Davies sur "I can't afford myself" et "Money" et Kenny Neal sur "Luberta" et "Still called the blues". Ils sont accompagnés de sidemen de choix avec Bruce Katz, Rod Carey et Per Hanson.
The reunion of three excellent guitarists under the supervision of producer Randy Labbe : Debbie Davies, Tab Benoit and Kenny Neal. Together or individually, they deliver an interesting and soulful album : Tab Benoit on "Down in the swamp" and "I put a spell on you", Debbie Davies on "I can't afford myself" and "Money" and Kenny Neal on "Luberta" and "Still called the blues". They are accompanied by top-notch sidemen including Bruce Katz, Rod Carey and Per Hanson.
WHAT YOU GOT
Telarc
July 1999
Pour ce troisième album chez Telarc, Kenny propose une tracklist intense et inspirée, bien secondé par un groupe compétent (Anthony Geraci, Noel Neal, Kennard Johnson, Marshall DeMott). On retient notamment l'excellent "I smell smoke", "Two wrongs don't make a right", une nouvelle version de "Neal and pray", la superbe reprise de "Little brother (make a way)" ou encore "Killed the goose that laid the golden egg".
For his third album on Telarc, Kenny delivers an intense and inspired tracklist, ably supported by a skilled band (Anthony Geraci, Noel Neal, Kennard Johnson, Marshall DeMott). Highlights include the excellent "I smell smoke", "Two wrongs don't make a right", a new version of "Neal and pray", the superb cover of "Little brother (make a way)" and "Killed the goose that laid the golden egg".
ROLLIN' INTO MEMPHIS : SONGS OF JOHN HIATT
Telarc
January - June 2000
Dans cet album hommage, Kenny reprend "Love like blood".
In this tribute album, Kenny covers "Love like blood".
DEALIN' WITH THE DEVIL : SONGS OF ROBERT JOHNSON
Telarc
2000
ONE STEP CLOSER
Telarc
January 2001
Pour ce quatrième album chez Telarc, Kenny favorise les reprises et s'éloigne notablement du blues au profit d'un rock sudiste aseptisé. La tracklist manque cruellement de flamme et ennuie l'auditeur. On peut, tout de même, ressortir la reprise du "Congo square" de Sonny Landreth et sa composition "Whisky tears".
For his fourth album on Telarc, Kenny favors covers and noticeably moves away from the blues in favor of a flat southern rock sound. The tracklist sorely lacks fire and bores the listener. However, his cover of Sonny Landreth's "Congo square" and his own composition "Whisky tears" are worth mentioning.
LIVE
Booga
2004
TRIBUTE TO SLIM HARPO & RAFUL NEAL
True Life Entertainment
2004 - 2005
Suite à la mort de son père Raful en septembre 2004, Kenny décide avec cet album de lui rendre hommage. Il en profite pour saluer également Slim Harpo qu'il a cotoyé durant sa jeunesse (Harpo lui a donné son premier harmonica). On entend donc ici les dernières bandes de Raful accompagné par ses enfants (Kenny et ses frères), James Johnson et Rudolph Richard. Dans ce programme un peu trop court, on apprécie cette belle tranche de Swamp Blues délicieusement terrienne : "Rainin' in my heart", "Late last night", "King bee", "Tee-ni-ne-ni-nu" et "Got love if you want it".
Following the death of his father Raful in september 2004, Kenny decided to pay tribute to him with this album. He also takes the opportunity to acknowledge Slim Harpo, whom he knew during his youth (Harpo gave him his first harmonica). Here we hear Raful's last recordings accompanied by his children (Kenny and his brothers), James Johnson and Rudolph Richard. In this somewhat short program, we appreciate this beautiful and down-home slice of Swamp Blues : "Rainin' in my heart", "Late last night", "King bee", "Tee-ni-ne-ni-nu" and "Got love if you want it".
LET LIFE FLOW
Blind Pig
Dixiefrog
2008
En septembre 2006, il avait annoncé prendre un break d'un an pour soigner une maladie. Mais revoila Kenny de retour avec son nouveau disque. Cette fois, après Alligator et Telarc, il enregistre pour Blind Pig. Entouré de ses frères et de son fils (Kenny Jr), il délivre un bon disque de blues cuivré avec des titres intéressants comme "Blues leave me alone", "Louisiana stew", "Another man's cologne", "Broken dreams" et "It don't make sense you can't make peace".
In september 2006, he announced he was taking a year off to recover from an illness. But Kenny is back with a new album. This time, after Alligator and Telarc, he's recording for Blind Pig. Surrounded by his brothers and his son (Kenny Jr), he delivers a solid brassy blues album with interesting tracks like "Blues leave me alone", "Louisiana stew", "Another man's cologne", "Broken dreams" and "It don't make sense you can't make peace".
HOOKED ON YOUR LOVE
Blind Pig
Dixiefrog
2010
Pour ce second album chez Blind Pig, Kenny a reconduit la même équipe. D'ailleurs, il s'inscrit dans la continuité du précédent. On apprécie les bonnes compositions "Down in the swamp", "Tell me why", "Voodoo mama" et ses reprises de "If walls could talk" ou "Old friends".
For his second album on Blind Pig, Kenny has reunited with the same team. Moreover, it follows in the footsteps of the previous album. We appreciate the excellent original compositions "Down in the swamp", "Tell me why", "Voodoo mama" and his covers of "If walls could talk" or "Old friends".
KENNY NEAL & THE MISSISSIPPI SAXAPHONE
Booga
2011
I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Cleopatra
2015
Voici un album de Noël gravé par Kenny Neal pour le label californien Cleopatra. On apprécie un bon programme de blues varié et inspiré avec des morceaux comme "Christmas comes but once a year", "I'll be home for Christmas", "Merry Christmas baby" (en deux versions), "Lonesome Christmas". Kenny laisse le chant de plusieurs titres à sa fille Syreeta.
Here is a Christmas album recorded by Kenny Neal for the californian label Cleopatra. We appreciate a good, varied and inspired blues program with tracks like "Christmas comes but once a year", "I'll be home for Christmas", "Merry Christmas baby" (in two versions), "Lonesome Christmas". Kenny leaves the singing on several tracks to his daughter Syreeta.
BLOODLINE
Cleopatra
2016
Kenny Neal enregistre ce second album pour Cleopatra sous la supervision du batteur-producteur Tom Hambridge. Il propose une poignée de compositions personnelles, entre blues contemporain et Swamp Blues louisianais, qui méritent une écoute attentive : "Ain't gon' let the blues die", "Bloodline", "Keep on moving", "I'm so happy", "Blues mobile". On apprécie aussi son bel hommage à B.B. King ("Thank you B.B. King").
Kenny Neal recorded this second album for Cleopatra under the supervision of drummer-producer Tom Hambridge. He offers a handful of original compositions, somewhere between contemporary blues and Louisiana swamp blues, which deserve a careful listen : "Ain't gon' let the blues die", "Bloodline", "Keep on moving", "I'm so happy", "Blues mobile". His beautiful tribute to B.B. King ("Thank you B.B. King") is also a highlight.
THE SOUL OF THE KING
Ruf
2019
Dans cet hommage à B.B. King, Kenny Neal propose une belle version de "Sweet black angel".
In this tribute to B.B. King, Kenny Neal offers a beautiful version of "Sweet black angel".
LIVE AT 2022 NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Munck Music
April 2022
STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART
Ruf
2022
Voici un excellent album de blues cuivré constellé de titres percutants. On apprécie son "Blues keep chasing me" en hommage à son ami Lucky Peterson, "Mount up on the wings of the king" (avec Christone "Kingfish" Ingram), sa belle reprise de "I'll play the blues for you", deux beaux titres louisianais avec Rockin' Dopsie Jr ("Louise Ana" et "Bon temps rouler") ou "It's been so long".
Here is an excellent brassy blues album studded with catchy tracks. We appreciate his "Blues keep chasing me" in homage to his friend Lucky Peterson, "Mount up on the wings of the king" (with Christone "Kingfish" Ingram), his beautiful cover of "I'll play the blues for you", two fine Louisiana tracks with Rockin' Dopsie Jr ("Louise Ana" and "Bon temps rouler") or "It's been so long".
LIVE AT 2023 NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Munck Music
April 2023