Kenny Neal I'll Be Home for Christmas Review by Gary Hill
This blues holiday album is great stuff. I have to say that it was actually released last year. I didn't get my hands on it until last year's December issue was up, so it's sat here waiting for review for almost a year. I love the mix of sounds here. This never feels tired or redundant, even with one song done two different ways. If you want to bring a different flavor to your holiday celebrations, this will be a great part of it.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2016 Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Christmas Comes Once A Year
This is a bluesy type of rocking number. It's classy stuff and a great way to start things in style. I dig the harmonica soloing on this thing.
Silver Bells There is a classic blues arrangement brought to this holiday classic.
Winter Wonderland
Syreeta Neal provides some suitably soulful vocals on this cut. The harmonica brings some blues magic to the table. The whole cut just works really well.
Merry Little Christmas With piano and jazzy vocals (again Syreeta Neal) at its heart, this is a more traditional version of the classic cut.
Please Come Home For Christmas Kenny Neal is the singer on this cool bluesy rocker.
I'll Be Home For Christmas This is another killer blues take on a classic holiday number. I really dig the harmonica solo on this one.
Merry Christmas Baby #2 I love this number. It's just so much fun. It's a great combo of traditional and blues sounds.
Lonesome Christmas This blues tune is tasty stuff for sure. Again the harmonica adds a lot to the mix.
Merry Christmas Baby #1
A different version of the previous cut, this has a lot more jazz in the mix. It's another solid tune for sure. Although this is cool, I think I prefer the other take.
O Come All Ye Faithful I'm not a big fan of this song in general. Again the vocals are provided by Syreeta Neal. This is a keyboard and vocal rendition of the tune.
Silent Night Syreeta Neal sings this one, too. It an energetic, blues rocking take on the classic song. I like this one a lot. It has some great soulful textures.
