KENNY NEAL

Hooked on Your Love

Blind Pig Records

By Geoff Trubow

Guitarist Kenny Neal was born and raised in Louisiana and literally started on his musical journey at age three when family friend, Slim Harpo, laid a harmonica on him in hopes of stopping the child from crying.  It worked and Neal never looked back.  As he became proficient on not only the guitar, but also the bass, trumpet and piano, he joined his father Raful Neal’s band at the tender age of 13.  By the time he reached 17, he teamed up with fellow Louisiana native Buddy Guy and continually toured with him on bass.

It was, in fact, Guy that recommended Neal focus more exclusively on the guitar which led him to temporarily relocate to Toronto where he formed the Neal Brothers Band.  In 1988, he signed with Alligator Records, releasing several solo works and building up a strong reputation for himself as well as playing with artists such as B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters. 

In 2005, Neal was forced to cease not only performing but also recording, due to health problems.  Now he has released Hooked On Your Love, following the 2008 comeback effort on Blind Pig, Let Life Flow.  The largely Neal-composed Hooked On Your Love reflects his smooth voice and strong guitar playing.  B.B. King’s influence shines through nicely on the title track with some outstanding background vocals from Alfreda McCrary Lee, Ann McCrary and Regina McCrary.  They also contribute beautifully to the gospel inspired “Bitter With The Sweet”.  Neal’s Louisiana roots are most apparent on the funk-driven “Down In The Swamp” and on “Voodoo Mama” which features copious horns to which Neal adds a stinging slide guitar solo. 

The record does have its weak moments, most notably with “Things Have Got To Change” and “Tell Me Why”.  Both tracks are a bit over-produced and have the unfortunate vibe of bad seventies soul.  It is also interesting to note that on the former track, Neal’s guitar is almost completely absent and on the latter, it seems too subdued for the subject matter of the song.

All in all, Hooked On Your Love is a fairly sturdy offering from a musician who seems to stay true to his musical roots and to the musically diverse and culturally abundant state from which he hails.