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.
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