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2017 Kenny Neal and the Baton Rouge Blues Legends
001-2017-010
43:24 Master Camera files on Hard Drive, Mp4 on Server and Cloud
Sat Apr 29 2017
with Oscar Davis, Harvey Knox and Mz. Pat. Interviewer, David Kunian
03:04 Harvey Knox explains how he got started playing blues in Baton Rouge. He was a trombone player but found they didn’t hire horns, so bought a guitar. 03:53 Knox explains the musical background of Tallulah, Louisiana, his hometown. 04:37 Oscar Davis speaks to his background, and how he got his first harmonica from his brother. 08:38 Kenny Neal explains how music was more or less just in the ether in his childhood. 10:30 Neal relates that his interest was piqued by the fact that as a child he’d be given money for playing. Says his career began with his joining Buddy Guy on tour as a bass player. 12:20 Neal reveals that he noticed Chicago musicians carrying their contracts with them for bragging rights, decided to pursue one of his own, but moved to Toronto, where resumes were required. In response he assembled his younger brothers into a band, and booked big names he’d met on tour with Guy. 14:21 Neal explains that Guy and Junior Wells served as his elders. 16:02 Davis names Tabby Thomas as his elder, explaining that he encouraged him to trade the drums for the harmonica. 18:18 Davis names his influences, the founders of Baton Rouge blues. 22:30 Neal explains what he thinks make Baton Rouge blues distinct, attributing much to the cultural diversity of the area. 24:16 Knox says he thinks a festive feeling is part of Baton Rouge’s blues’ trademark. 24:57 Knox relates his experience with Hep C and explains how healing he finds music, which he considers part of its relatability. 27:51 Davis explains what he sees as the universal relatability and appeal of the blues. 29:11 Knox says how important he finds the feeling of the blues. 29:55 Neal names Guitar Kelly and Silas Hogan as unsung heroes of Baton Rouge blues. Tells a story of adapting one of Guitar Kelly’s songs. 31:45 Davis names the Nighthawks as other unsung heroes. 32:01 Neal points out Sammy Thorton, the original bass player with the Nighthawks, in the audience, and tells story of how he let him join him on a gig he snuck into as a teenager. Thanks him for being a teacher. 33:48 Neal credits his father, Raful Neal, Tabby Thomas, and Buddy Stewart for having started the blues festival in Baton Rouge. 34:27 Neal explains how he finds Tabby Thomas to be a character, and how generous he’s been toward other musicians. 36:55 Neal discusses his new venue in Baton Rouge. 38:31 Neal explains that his father wrote “Old Friends.” 43:02 Neal mentions his Grammy nominations.
video recording
Public Access is available in the Archive due to copyright restrictions. Copyrights are retained by the participants. The video is available for viewing at the archive.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Archive