The bluesy, swampy music of Kenny Neal is back in a new CD, his first solo album since 2001, "Let Life Flow" (Blind Pig), and it seems like the spirit of the title comes to life on the tracks.

If I had to pick one word to describe Neal's blues, one of them would be the smooth and funky "flow" of the title track and the rest of the music.

Neal's guitar and harp work, vocals and the arrangements here are all fill a laid-back groove, all typical of his Louisiana roots, which come through strong on "Lousiana Stew."

That doesn't mean the music lacks grit when needed, as on "Bleeding Heart," a tough horn-backed ode to lost love. In that same heartbroken vein is the tender "You've Got to Hurt Before You Heal."

There's a hint of the laconic Jimmy Reed on "Starlight Diamond" and fat, liquid guitar notes and sensuous vocals define the Ivory Joe Hunter classic (and one of my all-time favorites), "Since I Met You Baby."

He winds up with the old Willie Dixon tune, which you don't hear too much, "It Don't Make Sense You Can't Make Peace."

All together it's an excellent album by a versatile musician, recording again after a few years on hiatus. It's a welcome return.

Neal is the son of the late famed harpist Raful Neal, and the exposure to a life of music is obvious.

By the way, there's an excellent cover story about Neal in the current issue of Blues Revue magazine. It goes into detail about the personal tragedy in Neal's life over the past few years, including the death of his father, and his own battle with Hepatitis C.

A little-known bluesman

There's a very informative and interesting post on Big Road Blues about a very little-know bluesman named Joe Callicott.

Thanks to people who write articles like this and keep great blues history from disappearing.