Raful Neal (June 6, 1936 – September 1, 2004)[1] was an American Louisiana blues singer, harmonicist and songwriter from the United States.[2]

Neal was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana,[3] and reared by his aunt and uncle on a tenant farm in Chamberlin, West Baton Rouge Parish. He began playing the harmonica at age 14. He played with Buddy Guy in a band called the Clouds. His first record, "Sunny Side of Love" (1958) on Peacock Records, was not successful.[1]

Neal's first album, called Louisiana Legend,[4] was initially issued by King Snake Records and later by Alligator Records in 1990.[5] His 1991 album I Been Mistreated was released on Ichiban Records.[4] Neal toured globally. In 1997, his harmonica playing was featured on the album Live: Swampland Jam by Tab Benoit.[6] Neal's album Old Friends was issued in 1998.[4]

Neal died of cancer in Baton Rouge in September 2004.[1] Nine of his ten children are also blues musicians, and several performed with him on his later releases on the Alligator label.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Biography, AllMusic
  2. ↑ Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music (1st ed.). Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
  3. ↑ Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Blues (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 278. ISBN 0-85112-673-1.
  4. 1 2 3 "Raful Neal | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  5. ↑ "Louisiana Legend - Raful Neal | Releases | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  6. ↑ "Live: Swampland Jam - Tab Benoit | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 March 2021.


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