KENNY NEAL BRINGS HIS SIGNATURE SWAMP GRIT ON “DEVIL’S IN THE DELTA” WITH HIS SON MICAH WILLIS
VERDICT MUSIC/THE ORCHARD
The Swamp Blues are alive and well in Louisiana sources say and what better source to report on the Blues than Louisiana’s very own Kenny Neal or as he’s otherwise known as and endearingly called ‘American Bluesman’.
Neal’s latest track, “Devil’s In The Delta” is not just emblematic of his musical roots and native home turf, it also represents his signature playing style…the archetypal swamp blues sound representative of all things Delta. And trust me when I say that “Devil’s…” packs a punch and will leave you wanting more! This masterful collaboration unites two very different singers but despite their stylistic differences, their voices pair nicely. Neal brings the grit, growl and gravel while Micah Willis adds the welcome relief through his contrasting soulful vocals.
But what makes this track so great, so truly special and sets it apart from all prior releases is the appearance of Neal’s son, the aforementioned Micah Willis, an equally gifted singer- songwriter who now officially represents the third generation in a very long, large and distinguished line of Neal-family musicians. Kenny, the oldest of ten children, didn’t stand a chance of escaping the music bug.
His own father, Raful Neal, the family patriarch was an accomplished and well known blues musician from Louisiana and the first to break ground and pave the way. So when I say that music is quite literally in the family’s DNA, I am not remotely exaggerating.
In light of the physical distance that exists between the two, the father/son collaboration was largely made possible through the use and reliance of various technologies that allowed them to essentially work together while actually being thousands of miles apart. Micah is currently based in Salt Lake City, UT while Kenny continues to call Louisiana home.
After the tracks were recorded, mixed and mastered, Willis then flew down to Baton Rouge to shoot the companion music video with Neal and the rest, as they say, is family music history.
The resulting track is not only refreshing, musically speaking – it’s a well-produced tune with an infectiously catchy hook, but also something to be particularly proud of as the ‘ties that bind’ experience has only further strengthened their familial connection and cemented their musical legacy.
If you’re a fan of gritty Swamp Blues laments that feature prominent harp and tasteful tremolos on wanky guitar, give this one a listen but a word of caution…the Devil comes to life on this track and he’ll want to make a deal – don’t let him!
“Devil’s In The Delta” was well received when Neal and Willis performed together at a pre-BMA event (May, 2025) and they were joined by the legendary Billy Branch.
The father son duo subsequently performed at the Utah Blues Festival brining it full circle for Willis, a resident of Salt Lake City.
Neal is currently touring the Northeast and is then headed to Romania to perform at the Brezoi-Valcea Open Air Blues Festival.
Micah Willis is in the studio recording his next album, expected out later this year.
Kenny Neal & Micah Willis
[Single]
(Verdict Music/The Orchard)
Release Date: 2025
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