"Neal’s deft electric and lap-steel solo guitar work would be enough to set him apart as a blues player. Adding Neal’s equally strong songwriting skills, his big, rich, hearty vocals and his classic harmonica riffs to his guitar playing puts Neal into a select class of ‘quadruple threat’ bluesmen. His musicianship has a genuine quality the likes of which no marketing wizard can contrive."
WHAT YOU GOT

Kenny Neal
vocals, guitars, harmonica

Anthony Geraci
piano and organ

Noel Neal
bass

Kennard Johnson
drums

Marshall DeMott
tenor and baritone saxophones
   
TRACKS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12



Reviews

"Neal’s deft electric and lap-steel solo guitar work would be enough to set him apart as a blues player. Adding Neal’s equally strong songwriting skills, his big, rich, hearty vocals and his classic harmonica riffs to his guitar playing puts Neal into a select class of ‘quadruple threat’ bluesmen. His musicianship has a genuine quality the likes of which no marketing wizard can contrive."
—Blues Access

Kenny Neal has always been one of the foremost multi-talented musicians on the blues scene. A singer and songwriter with a deep, soulful delivery, his fingers are the only tools he needs to play his Telecaster or lap steel or harmonica. His third Telarc recording, What You Got, set for release on April 25, is a mix of his own tunes and blues standards, with horns on three tracks (“Little Brother,” “I’m the Man Your Mama Told You About,” and the title track).
Produced by Randy Labbe, What You Got pushes the boundaries with Neal’s own swamp-shuffle originals “I Smell Smoke,” “Blues Ain’t Nothing But a Good Man Feeling Bad,” “Déjà Vu,” and “Neal and Pray.” The supporting band features the terrific piano and organ work of Anthony Geraci, while Marshall DeMott provides tasty saxophone fills. Veteran Kennard Johnson on drums and Kenny’s sibling Noel on bass head up the rhythm section.

Kenny Neal’s 1998 Telarc debut, Blues Fallin’ Down Like Rain (enhanced CD-83435), was a mix of classic standards and original material that garnered rave reviews from blues writers. His latest release comes on the heels of 1999’s exceptional Homesick for the Road (with Tab Benoit and Debbie Davies, CD-83454). Kenny also played on The Songs of Willie Dixon (CD-83452) and A Tribute to Howlin’ Wolf (enhanced CD-83427).

"Since switching to Telarc a couple of CDs ago, Neal has continued to move from strength to strength. What You Got shows that Kenny Neal’s music remains a work in progress; the scary part is that he’s still not as good as he’s ultimately going to be." -- Living Blues

"Neal’s vibrant, husky and affecting vocals highlight originals that overflow with a sultry mix of soul, R&B, light funk and gospel-infused blues. Fluid guitar lines move from jazzy to fierce in moments, and the album itself shifts gears like a fine-tuned Ferrari." -- Blues Revue

"In the world of the blues, 42-year-old Kenny Neal is a young gun, one of a generation of bluesmen working to keep the music contemporary. At the same time, Neal’s roots in the classic blues of the post-World War II era run deep." -- Chicago Tribune "What You Got is radio-friendly material that should appeal to both blues fans and neophytes as his clean guitar licks blend flawlessly with his earthy, raspy voice, emphasizing his bayou roots." -- The Met