by Al Campbell
On Kenny Neal's third Telarc release, One Step Closer, he combines the Louisiana musical traditions he grew up listening to with a wide range of contemporary material. Among the 12 tracks are soul-blues renditions of Bob Dylan's &Walk Out in the Rain,& Nick Lowe's &High on a Hilltop,& and John Hiatt's &Lover's Will.& Neal's developing skills as a songwriting have been convincingly affected by roots rock and Americana, as showcased on &Backdoor Tipper,& &No More One More Chance,& &Whiskey Tears,& and &She Ain't Happy Unless She's Sad.&