Kenny Neal One Step Closer CD

On Kenny Neal's third Telarc release, One Step Closer, he combines the Louisiana musical traditions he grew up listening to with a wide range of contemporary material. Among the 12 tracks are soul-blues renditions of Bob Dylan's "Walk Out in the Rain," Nick Lowe's "High on a Hilltop," and John Hiatt's "Lover's Will." Neal's developing skills as a songwriting have been convincingly affected by roots rock and Americana, as showcased on "Backdoor Tipper," "No More One More Chance," "Whiskey Tears," and "She Ain't Happy Unless She's Sad." ~ Al Campbell

4th Rel On Telarc

Recorded at The Studio, Portland, Maine in January 2000. Includes liner notes by Mike Emery.

Personnel: Kenny Neal (vocals, guitar, slide guitar, harmonica); Denny Breau (guitar); T-Bone Wolk (mandolin, accordion); Darren Thiboutot (drums); Andrea Re (percussion, background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Lincoln Clapp.

Recording information: The Studio, Portland, ME (01/2001).

Personnel includes: Kenny Neal (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Denny Breau (guitar); Mary Jo Carlsen (violin); T-Bone Wolk (mandolin, accordion, bass); Jason Ward (baritone saxophone); Darren Thiboutot (drums); Andrea Re (percussion, background vocals).

JazzTimes (9/01, p.89) - "...Kenny conveys a depth of feeling that cannot be denied..."
Living Blues (7-8/01, pp.54,57) - "...There's no denying Neal's significance on the modern blues scene. He celebrates his Louisiana roots and blues pedigree...on every track...while maintaining his own distinctive identity..."