Here's a blues and soul drenched, heartfelt set from Delaware born keyboardist, Johnny Neel. Neel came to prominence in the early 1990s after appearing on the "Seven Turns" album by The Allman Brothers, where he contributed keyboards and harmonica. But, in this live set with his own band The Last Word, he takes bluesy soul to a whole other level!
The band lineup for this record includes:
Johnny Neel: Hammond B3 organ, synthesizer, vocals
Jack Pearson: guitar
Tim Loftin: bass
Scotty Hawkins: drums
Delbert McClinton: harmonica
Kelli Bruce: background vocals
Vickie Carrico: background vocals
Nannette Britt-Bohannon: background vocals
Neel's passionate vocal delivery that elevates itself to exuberant screams of "owww!" at points during the songs (a la James Brown, Wilson Pickett and other soul singers), and equally fiery Hammond B3 licks, is backed by an ace band that includes, among other musicians, guitarist Jack Pearson (who played a brief three-year stint with the Allman Brothers between 1997 and '99 as well).
Incidentally, this recording was done in 1994. Pearson's slide guitar screams and adds to the raucous and yet vibrant nature of Neel's soul drenched blues. Neel also plays some very good boogie tinged piano at certain points in the show. Energy is what this set is all about.
1. Society Hill
2. Just My Style
3. Maydell
4. Read Me My Rights
5. Lost the Will to Love Me
6. What am I
7. Bless My Soul
8. Turn On Your Love
9. The Blues Ain't Nothin'
10. Easy Come, Easy Go
At the end of the show, Neel says, "this is Johnny Neel! You just heard the last word! We love y'all. Thanks a lot!" This is definitely a party record. Neel has more releases out, too. At the time yours truly acquired this CD, there were no other releases under his name. But, since then, some of his other recordings have appeared. These include:
"One Hot Night" 1981
"You Should Have Been There: Live" 1983
"Comin' Atcha Live" 1995
"Late Night Breakfast" 2000
"X2" w/Matt Abts (drummer for Gov't Mule) 2002
"Gunmetal Blue" 2004
"Johnny Neel & The Italian Experience" 2004
"Johnny Neel & The Criminal Element Volume 1" 2007
"Johnny Neel & The Criminal Element Volume 2" 2008
"Johnny Neel & The Criminal Element: CSI Chronicles" 2010*CD/DVD
"Johnny Neel: Harmonius" 2010 *CD/DVD
Check out Neel's work. Another very inspiring bluesy keyboard master.
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