9811 - MATT ABTS; JOHNNY NEEL - X2 (2002) (REPOST)

MATT ABTS;JOHNNY NEEL
''X2''
2002
50:27

1 /X-1
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/8:48
2 /Pearl
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/5:38
3 /Inside, Outside
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/2:31
4 /Digi Funk
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/3:53
5 /Morning Twilight
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/4:40
6 /Devil's Soiree
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/12:34
7 /Over the Wall
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/2:14
8 /That's the Fact
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/3:44
9 /X-Too
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/6:25

Review
By Robin Tolleson
Matt Abts has received a lot of exposure with Gov't Mule. But drumming-wise, this funky duo jam is perhaps his riskiest and most rewarding release yet. "X-1" and "Devil's Soiree" sound like epic tales from the Rudess-Morgenstein playbook, full of adventurous arranging and musical drum snippets. "Pearl" features some big Bohnam-ish stickwork from Abts, while the fusion-istic whirlwinds "Inside Outside" and "Over The Wall" approach musical chaos, but never fall in. Keyboardist Johnny Neel is excellent on organ, piano, and clavinet. Like Matt, he is intense, melodic, and soulful, filling and allowing space.

Biography
From Wikipedia
Matt Abts (born September 30, 1953) is a Grammy Award-nominated American drummer best known as a member of the band Gov't Mule.

Abts attended high school in Panama where he started playing music. After moving to Virginia, he played in local bands for eight years and then moved to Florida. There he played in and recorded an album with Chuck & John and the News, a local bar band from Bradenton, during the early 1980s. In 1984, he took on the role of drummer for Dickey Betts and Chuck Leavell. Abts recorded Pattern Disruptive with the Dickey Betts Band in 1988 which also included guitarist/vocalist, Warren Haynes. Abts joined Haynes and Allen Woody who had both been musicians with The Allman Brothers Band to form Gov't Mule in 1994.

Abts has also played in the Pink Floyd tribute band Blue Floyd which was known for its blues versions of Pink Floyd songs, and with bassist Jorgen Carlsson in Planet of the Abts, a 2011 offshoot of Gov't Mule.

MATT ABTS OFFICIAL SITE
JOHNNY NEEL OFFICIAL SITE

TO THE TOP

6969 - MATT ABTS JOHNNY NEEL - X2 (2002)

MATT ABTS;JOHNNY NEEL
''X2''
2002
50:27

1 /X-1
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/8:48
2 /Pearl
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/5:38
3 /Inside, Outside
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/2:31
4 /Digi Funk
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/3:53
5 /Morning Twilight
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/4:40
6 /Devil's Soiree
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/12:34
7 /Over the Wall
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/2:14
8 /That's the Fact
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/3:44
9 /X-Too
Matt Abts / Johnny Neel/6:25

Review
By Robin Tolleson
Matt Abts has received a lot of exposure with Gov't Mule. But drumming-wise, this funky duo jam is perhaps his riskiest and most rewarding release yet. "X-1" and "Devil's Soiree" sound like epic tales from the Rudess-Morgenstein playbook, full of adventurous arranging and musical drum snippets. "Pearl" features some big Bohnam-ish stickwork from Abts, while the fusion-istic whirlwinds "Inside Outside" and "Over The Wall" approach musical chaos, but never fall in. Keyboardist Johnny Neel is excellent on organ, piano, and clavinet. Like Matt, he is intense, melodic, and soulful, filling and allowing space.

Biography
From Wikipedia
Matt Abts (born September 30, 1953) is a Grammy Award-nominated American drummer best known as a member of the band Gov't Mule.

Abts attended high school in Panama where he started playing music. After moving to Virginia, he played in local bands for eight years and then moved to Florida. There he played in and recorded an album with Chuck & John and the News, a local bar band from Bradenton, during the early 1980s. In 1984, he took on the role of drummer for Dickey Betts and Chuck Leavell. Abts recorded Pattern Disruptive with the Dickey Betts Band in 1988 which also included guitarist/vocalist, Warren Haynes. Abts joined Haynes and Allen Woody who had both been musicians with The Allman Brothers Band to form Gov't Mule in 1994.

Abts has also played in the Pink Floyd tribute band Blue Floyd which was known for its blues versions of Pink Floyd songs, and with bassist Jorgen Carlsson in Planet of the Abts, a 2011 offshoot of Gov't Mule.

MATT ABTS OFFICIAL SITE
JOHNNY NEEL OFFICIAL SITE

6935 - JOHNNY NEEL AND THE ITALIAN EXPERIENCE (2004)

JOHNNY NEEL AND THE ITALIAN EXPERIENCE
''JOHNNY NEEL AND THE ITALIAN EXPERIENCE''
2004
76:53

Johnny Neel - Hammond Organ, Piano, Vocals
Johnny Neel & W.I.N.D.:
Jimi Barbiani - Electric & Slide Guitars
Fabio Drusin - Bass, Vocals
Sandro Bencich - Drums
1 - Trieste Wind/14:34
2 - Why me/10:22
3 - Nobody cares/6:13

Johnny Neel & Jazz Italian Trio:
Achille Succi - Alto Sax, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
Giovanni Maier - Double Bass
U. T. Gandhi - Drums
4 - Jazz suite out of cage, lost into the world/12:30
5 - Leanin' on the swing/7:00
6 - Stay widit'/9:00
7 - Sounds of Rome/8:36

Johnny Neel & "Canzoni di Confine" String Orchestra:
Davide Bertoni - Violin
Lucia Clonfero - Violin
Nicola Mansutti - Violin
Marinella Pavan - Violin
Elisa D'Agostini - Viola
Martina Bertoni - Cello
Fabio Serafini - Double Bass
Strings arrangiament and conduction by Valter Sivilotti
8 - What Am I/4:21

Johnny Neel piano solo:
9 - Captured wanderings/4:14

Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Johnny Neel is an American vocalist, songwriter, and musician based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is best known for his songwriting, stage, and session work for the Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, and Dickey Betts.

As a songwriter, in addition to the material written, or co-written for the Allman Brothers, Gregg Allman, and Dicky Betts, Neel's songs have also been recorded by Gov’t Mule, John Mayall, Delbert McClinton, Montgomery Gentry, Keith Whitley, Travis Tritt, The Oak Ridge Boys, Restless Heart, Ann Peebles, Dorothy Moore, and John Schneider.

As a studio musician, Neel has appeared on recordings by The Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, Warren Haynes, Dickey Betts, Montgomery Gentry, Michael McDonald, Todd Snider, David Allan Coe, Jeff Coffin, Robert Gordon, Chris LeDoux, Tiny Town, Suzy Bogguss, Joe Diffie, Colin Raye, and Pirates of the Mississippi.

Neel was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He cut his first single, entitled "Talking About People", at the age of twelve, as Johnny Neel and The Shapes Of Soul, which was a hit on local radio in the Wilmington/Philadelphia area. As an adult, the Johnny Neel Band had a strong following up and down the east coast and released two well-received independent albums. Neel moved to Nashville in 1984. Performing with various bands in area clubs drew the attention of former Nashville resident Dickey Betts, who asked Neel to join his road band, and he soon began working on Bett’s solo LP for Epic Records. That relationship led to seven cuts on the Pattern Disruptive album released in 1988, including the AOR hit, "Rock Bottom".

Neel's talented keyboard and harmonica playing on the Pattern Disruptive album convinced Gregg Allman to ask Neel to tour with his road band which led to the inclusion of the cut "Island" on The Gregg Allman Band album (also released in 1988), co-written with Allman, Dan Toler, and Tony Colton. In 1989 Neel was invited to join the reunited Allman Brothers Band. He immersed himself in touring, writing, and recording, which led to four cuts on the Allman's Seven Turns album (released in 1990), and the hit single "Good Clean Fun", co-written by Neel with Allman and Betts. In 2002 country stars Montgomery Gentry included "Good Clean Fun" as part of their My Town album. album.

In 1994, the studio album Johnny Neel & The Last Word was released. This album included the song "Maydell", which was co-written with Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers/Gov't Mule) and has been covered by the Allman Brothers on their Hittin' The Note album, and by John Mayall on his Wake Up Call album. The album also included the song "Read Me My Rights" which was co-written with Delbert McClinton, and which was covered by McClinton on his Nothing Personal album, by Ann Peebles on her Full Time Love album, by Dorothy Moore on Stay Close to Home album, and by Dalton Reed on Louisiana Soul Man. This album featured appearances by Jack Pearson (Allman Brothers) on guitar and Delbert McClinton on harmonica.

In 1995, Neel's album Commin' Atcha... Live was released and included live versions of "Read Me My Rights" and "Maydell". The album captured a live appearance by Neel and his band The Last Word including Jack Pearson and most of the musicians on The Last Word album.

In 2000, Neel released Late Night Breakfast which was recorded at his Straight Up Sound Studio with the members of his band The Last Word, along with special guests guitarists Shane Theriot (The Neville Brothers), and Rick Vito, as well as Wayne Jackson on trumpet. Late Night Breakfast was released on Neel's Breakin' Records label.

During the period of time the Late Night Breakfast recordings were made, Neel also became a member of Blue Floyd, an all-star jam band performing variations on the material of Pink Floyd. In addition to Neel, the band was composed of guitarist Marc Ford, drummer Matt Abts, bassist Berry Oakley Jr. (OKB Band) and until his death, Allen Woody on second guitar. Neel and Abts then went into the Straight Up Sound Studio and recorded the X2 funk/jam duo project. X2 - Johnny Neel / Matt Abts was released in 2002.

In 2004, Neel released the album Gun Metal Blue on his Breaking Records label which was also recorded at Straight Up Sound. These sessions included guitarists Chris Anderson, George Marinelli, and Pat Bergeson, drummer Vince Santoro, and vocalists Joanna Cotten, and Neel's wife, Christine Thompson Neel.

Also in 2004, the album Johnny Neel and The Italian Experience was released on the Italian label, Artesuono. This album included strings and horns as Neel moved in a jazz direction. The album included members of the Italian blues/rock/jam power trio W.I.N.D., with which Neel has toured and recorded in Europe several times.

In addition to Blue Floyd and X2 projects, Neel was a part of two other all-star collaborations. The group Deep Fried included Neel on keyboards, drummer Matt Abts, guitarist Brian Stoltz, and bassist George Porter Jr.. Their album The Deep Fried Sessions - Live was released in 2004. The other group, The Grease Factor released two live recordings; Off the Cuff in 2004, and Live From Zambifest 2004 in 2005. The Grease Factor included guitarist Shane Theriot, bassist Derek Jones, drummer Jeff Sipe, and percussionist Count M'Butu.

Neel has provided vocals on five songs included on four Walt Disney Records CD releases, related to the Pixar Animation Studios movie releases, Finding Nemo, Cars, and Ratatouille. These include "Saturday Night Fish Fry" from the 2003 release Finding Nemo: Ocean Favorites, "My Old Car" from the 2006 release Lightning McQueen's Fast Tracks, "One Meat Ball" and "Banana Split for My Baby" from the 2007 release Ratatouille: What's Cooking?, and "Hot Rodder's Lament" from the 2009 release Mater's Car Tunes.

Towards the end of the new century's first decade Neel was recording and performing with his band The Criminal Element. Three albums have been released by Johnny Neel and The Criminal Element; Volume 1 (2007), Volume 2 (2008), and The CSI Chronicles (2010).

In 2010, Neel also released Harmonius, a solo project featuring only his vocals and keyboards.

In 2012 Every Kinda' Blues... But What You're Used To was released. A return to a more blues-based sound, the album includes Ex-Allman Brothers guitarist Jack Pearson, and ex-Little Feat vocalist Shaun Murphy.

Also in 2012, in recognition of their contributions to the world of music, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to the Allman Brothers Band. Neel made significant contributions to the history of the band, playing keyboards and harmonica during their 20th Anniversary Reunion tour, performing on the Seven Turns album, and co-writing four tracks on that album, including the chart topping hit Good Clean Fun.

OFFICIAL SITE

6934 - JOHNNY NEEL - Gun Metal Blue (2004)

JOHNNY NEEL
''GUN METAL BLUE''
2004
40:16

1 /Cross My Mind/3:40
2 /Sure as the Day Is Long/3:28
3 /Not This Time/3:53
4 /I Found It/4:18
5 /You Wouldn't Know It Now/2:58
6 /Love Ain't a Bad Place/4:07
7 /Carolina/4:18
8 /My Little Feel Good/3:25
9 /Gun Metal Blue/3:36
10 /Strange Way/3:50
11 /It's My Turn/2:43

Keyboards/Vocal/Harmonica: Johnny Neel;
Bass: Dennis Gulley, Andre Howard, Jay Turner;
Guitar: J. T. Corenflos, Chris Anderson, Pat Burgeson, George Marinelli, Douggy Jones, Greg Foresman
Drums: Daryl Burgess, Don "Smitty" Smith, Mike Caputy, Vinnie Santoro , Steve Lohr
Sax: Marty Ojeda
Background Vocals: Christine Thompson, Joanna Cotten, Angie Russell, Dennis Gulley, Johnny Neel

Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Johnny Neel is an American vocalist, songwriter, and musician based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is best known for his songwriting, stage, and session work for the Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, and Dickey Betts.

As a songwriter, in addition to the material written, or co-written for the Allman Brothers, Gregg Allman, and Dicky Betts, Neel's songs have also been recorded by Gov’t Mule, John Mayall, Delbert McClinton, Montgomery Gentry, Keith Whitley, Travis Tritt, The Oak Ridge Boys, Restless Heart, Ann Peebles, Dorothy Moore, and John Schneider.

As a studio musician, Neel has appeared on recordings by The Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, Warren Haynes, Dickey Betts, Montgomery Gentry, Michael McDonald, Todd Snider, David Allan Coe, Jeff Coffin, Robert Gordon, Chris LeDoux, Tiny Town, Suzy Bogguss, Joe Diffie, Colin Raye, and Pirates of the Mississippi.

Neel was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He cut his first single, entitled "Talking About People", at the age of twelve, as Johnny Neel and The Shapes Of Soul, which was a hit on local radio in the Wilmington/Philadelphia area. As an adult, the Johnny Neel Band had a strong following up and down the east coast and released two well-received independent albums. Neel moved to Nashville in 1984. Performing with various bands in area clubs drew the attention of former Nashville resident Dickey Betts, who asked Neel to join his road band, and he soon began working on Bett’s solo LP for Epic Records. That relationship led to seven cuts on the Pattern Disruptive album released in 1988, including the AOR hit, "Rock Bottom".

Neel's talented keyboard and harmonica playing on the Pattern Disruptive album convinced Gregg Allman to ask Neel to tour with his road band which led to the inclusion of the cut "Island" on The Gregg Allman Band album (also released in 1988), co-written with Allman, Dan Toler, and Tony Colton. In 1989 Neel was invited to join the reunited Allman Brothers Band. He immersed himself in touring, writing, and recording, which led to four cuts on the Allman's Seven Turns album (released in 1990), and the hit single "Good Clean Fun", co-written by Neel with Allman and Betts. In 2002 country stars Montgomery Gentry included "Good Clean Fun" as part of their My Town album. album.

In 1994, the studio album Johnny Neel & The Last Word was released. This album included the song "Maydell", which was co-written with Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers/Gov't Mule) and has been covered by the Allman Brothers on their Hittin' The Note album, and by John Mayall on his Wake Up Call album. The album also included the song "Read Me My Rights" which was co-written with Delbert McClinton, and which was covered by McClinton on his Nothing Personal album, by Ann Peebles on her Full Time Love album, by Dorothy Moore on Stay Close to Home album, and by Dalton Reed on Louisiana Soul Man. This album featured appearances by Jack Pearson (Allman Brothers) on guitar and Delbert McClinton on harmonica.

In 1995, Neel's album Commin' Atcha... Live was released and included live versions of "Read Me My Rights" and "Maydell". The album captured a live appearance by Neel and his band The Last Word including Jack Pearson and most of the musicians on The Last Word album.

In 2000, Neel released Late Night Breakfast which was recorded at his Straight Up Sound Studio with the members of his band The Last Word, along with special guests guitarists Shane Theriot (The Neville Brothers), and Rick Vito, as well as Wayne Jackson on trumpet. Late Night Breakfast was released on Neel's Breakin' Records label.

During the period of time the Late Night Breakfast recordings were made, Neel also became a member of Blue Floyd, an all-star jam band performing variations on the material of Pink Floyd. In addition to Neel, the band was composed of guitarist Marc Ford, drummer Matt Abts, bassist Berry Oakley Jr. (OKB Band) and until his death, Allen Woody on second guitar. Neel and Abts then went into the Straight Up Sound Studio and recorded the X2 funk/jam duo project. X2 - Johnny Neel / Matt Abts was released in 2002.

In 2004, Neel released the album Gun Metal Blue on his Breaking Records label which was also recorded at Straight Up Sound. These sessions included guitarists Chris Anderson, George Marinelli, and Pat Bergeson, drummer Vince Santoro, and vocalists Joanna Cotten, and Neel's wife, Christine Thompson Neel.

Also in 2004, the album Johnny Neel and The Italian Experience was released on the Italian label, Artesuono. This album included strings and horns as Neel moved in a jazz direction. The album included members of the Italian blues/rock/jam power trio W.I.N.D., with which Neel has toured and recorded in Europe several times.

In addition to Blue Floyd and X2 projects, Neel was a part of two other all-star collaborations. The group Deep Fried included Neel on keyboards, drummer Matt Abts, guitarist Brian Stoltz, and bassist George Porter Jr.. Their album The Deep Fried Sessions - Live was released in 2004. The other group, The Grease Factor released two live recordings; Off the Cuff in 2004, and Live From Zambifest 2004 in 2005. The Grease Factor included guitarist Shane Theriot, bassist Derek Jones, drummer Jeff Sipe, and percussionist Count M'Butu.

Neel has provided vocals on five songs included on four Walt Disney Records CD releases, related to the Pixar Animation Studios movie releases, Finding Nemo, Cars, and Ratatouille. These include "Saturday Night Fish Fry" from the 2003 release Finding Nemo: Ocean Favorites, "My Old Car" from the 2006 release Lightning McQueen's Fast Tracks, "One Meat Ball" and "Banana Split for My Baby" from the 2007 release Ratatouille: What's Cooking?, and "Hot Rodder's Lament" from the 2009 release Mater's Car Tunes.

Towards the end of the new century's first decade Neel was recording and performing with his band The Criminal Element. Three albums have been released by Johnny Neel and The Criminal Element; Volume 1 (2007), Volume 2 (2008), and The CSI Chronicles (2010).

In 2010, Neel also released Harmonius, a solo project featuring only his vocals and keyboards.

In 2012 Every Kinda' Blues... But What You're Used To was released. A return to a more blues-based sound, the album includes Ex-Allman Brothers guitarist Jack Pearson, and ex-Little Feat vocalist Shaun Murphy.

Also in 2012, in recognition of their contributions to the world of music, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to the Allman Brothers Band. Neel made significant contributions to the history of the band, playing keyboards and harmonica during their 20th Anniversary Reunion tour, performing on the Seven Turns album, and co-writing four tracks on that album, including the chart topping hit Good Clean Fun.

OFFICIAL SITE

6933 - JOHNNY NEEL - Late Night Breakfast (2000)

JOHNNY NEEL
''LATE NIGHT BREAKFAST''
2000
50:52

1 /Full Tank of Love
Bruce Chanel / Ricky Ray Rector /4:38
2 /Good Lovin' Is Hard to Find/4:01
3 /Caught Me on My Blind Side
Dennis Gulley / Johnny Neel / Shane Theriot/4:27
4 /If It's All the Same to You
Dennis Gulley / Johnny Neel/5:00
5 /Love to Burn
Dobie Gray / Ricky Ray Rector/4:10
6 /New Where to Be
Johnny Neel / Tommy Polk/3:36
7 /Come Around to Me
Mike Cullison / Johnny Neel/3:45
8 /Don't Want to Discuss It
Beth Beatty / Dick Cooper / Ernie Shelby/3:08
9 /Murdered by Love
Roguie Ray / Billy Stone/6:58
10 /Late Night Breakfast
Dennis Gulley / Johnny Neel/4:03
11 /Willin' to Crawl
Doug Jones / Tommy Polk/4:10
12 /Blue Ink
Johnny Neel / Tommy Polk/2:56

Chris "Whitey" Anderson /Guitar
Randy Coleman /Bass
Dennis Gulley /Bass
Wayne Jackson /Trumpet
Pat McDonald /Drums
Kim Morrison /Vocals (Background)
Johnny Neel /Harmonica, Keyboards, Percussion, Synthesizer, Vocals
Mike O'Neil /Drums
Ricky Ray Rector /Guitar
Don Smith /Drums
Shane Theriot /Guitar
Joe Turley /Sax (Alto)
Rick Vito /Guitar

Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Johnny Neel is an American vocalist, songwriter, and musician based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is best known for his songwriting, stage, and session work for the Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, and Dickey Betts.

As a songwriter, in addition to the material written, or co-written for the Allman Brothers, Gregg Allman, and Dicky Betts, Neel's songs have also been recorded by Gov’t Mule, John Mayall, Delbert McClinton, Montgomery Gentry, Keith Whitley, Travis Tritt, The Oak Ridge Boys, Restless Heart, Ann Peebles, Dorothy Moore, and John Schneider.

As a studio musician, Neel has appeared on recordings by The Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, Warren Haynes, Dickey Betts, Montgomery Gentry, Michael McDonald, Todd Snider, David Allan Coe, Jeff Coffin, Robert Gordon, Chris LeDoux, Tiny Town, Suzy Bogguss, Joe Diffie, Colin Raye, and Pirates of the Mississippi.

Neel was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He cut his first single, entitled "Talking About People", at the age of twelve, as Johnny Neel and The Shapes Of Soul, which was a hit on local radio in the Wilmington/Philadelphia area. As an adult, the Johnny Neel Band had a strong following up and down the east coast and released two well-received independent albums. Neel moved to Nashville in 1984. Performing with various bands in area clubs drew the attention of former Nashville resident Dickey Betts, who asked Neel to join his road band, and he soon began working on Bett’s solo LP for Epic Records. That relationship led to seven cuts on the Pattern Disruptive album released in 1988, including the AOR hit, "Rock Bottom".

Neel's talented keyboard and harmonica playing on the Pattern Disruptive album convinced Gregg Allman to ask Neel to tour with his road band which led to the inclusion of the cut "Island" on The Gregg Allman Band album (also released in 1988), co-written with Allman, Dan Toler, and Tony Colton. In 1989 Neel was invited to join the reunited Allman Brothers Band. He immersed himself in touring, writing, and recording, which led to four cuts on the Allman's Seven Turns album (released in 1990), and the hit single "Good Clean Fun", co-written by Neel with Allman and Betts. In 2002 country stars Montgomery Gentry included "Good Clean Fun" as part of their My Town album. album.

In 1994, the studio album Johnny Neel & The Last Word was released. This album included the song "Maydell", which was co-written with Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers/Gov't Mule) and has been covered by the Allman Brothers on their Hittin' The Note album, and by John Mayall on his Wake Up Call album. The album also included the song "Read Me My Rights" which was co-written with Delbert McClinton, and which was covered by McClinton on his Nothing Personal album, by Ann Peebles on her Full Time Love album, by Dorothy Moore on Stay Close to Home album, and by Dalton Reed on Louisiana Soul Man. This album featured appearances by Jack Pearson (Allman Brothers) on guitar and Delbert McClinton on harmonica.

In 1995, Neel's album Commin' Atcha... Live was released and included live versions of "Read Me My Rights" and "Maydell". The album captured a live appearance by Neel and his band The Last Word including Jack Pearson and most of the musicians on The Last Word album.

In 2000, Neel released Late Night Breakfast which was recorded at his Straight Up Sound Studio with the members of his band The Last Word, along with special guests guitarists Shane Theriot (The Neville Brothers), and Rick Vito, as well as Wayne Jackson on trumpet. Late Night Breakfast was released on Neel's Breakin' Records label.

During the period of time the Late Night Breakfast recordings were made, Neel also became a member of Blue Floyd, an all-star jam band performing variations on the material of Pink Floyd. In addition to Neel, the band was composed of guitarist Marc Ford, drummer Matt Abts, bassist Berry Oakley Jr. (OKB Band) and until his death, Allen Woody on second guitar. Neel and Abts then went into the Straight Up Sound Studio and recorded the X2 funk/jam duo project. X2 - Johnny Neel / Matt Abts was released in 2002.

In 2004, Neel released the album Gun Metal Blue on his Breaking Records label which was also recorded at Straight Up Sound. These sessions included guitarists Chris Anderson, George Marinelli, and Pat Bergeson, drummer Vince Santoro, and vocalists Joanna Cotten, and Neel's wife, Christine Thompson Neel.

Also in 2004, the album Johnny Neel and The Italian Experience was released on the Italian label, Artesuono. This album included strings and horns as Neel moved in a jazz direction. The album included members of the Italian blues/rock/jam power trio W.I.N.D., with which Neel has toured and recorded in Europe several times.

In addition to Blue Floyd and X2 projects, Neel was a part of two other all-star collaborations. The group Deep Fried included Neel on keyboards, drummer Matt Abts, guitarist Brian Stoltz, and bassist George Porter Jr.. Their album The Deep Fried Sessions - Live was released in 2004. The other group, The Grease Factor released two live recordings; Off the Cuff in 2004, and Live From Zambifest 2004 in 2005. The Grease Factor included guitarist Shane Theriot, bassist Derek Jones, drummer Jeff Sipe, and percussionist Count M'Butu.

Neel has provided vocals on five songs included on four Walt Disney Records CD releases, related to the Pixar Animation Studios movie releases, Finding Nemo, Cars, and Ratatouille. These include "Saturday Night Fish Fry" from the 2003 release Finding Nemo: Ocean Favorites, "My Old Car" from the 2006 release Lightning McQueen's Fast Tracks, "One Meat Ball" and "Banana Split for My Baby" from the 2007 release Ratatouille: What's Cooking?, and "Hot Rodder's Lament" from the 2009 release Mater's Car Tunes.

Towards the end of the new century's first decade Neel was recording and performing with his band The Criminal Element. Three albums have been released by Johnny Neel and The Criminal Element; Volume 1 (2007), Volume 2 (2008), and The CSI Chronicles (2010).

In 2010, Neel also released Harmonius, a solo project featuring only his vocals and keyboards.

In 2012 Every Kinda' Blues... But What You're Used To was released. A return to a more blues-based sound, the album includes Ex-Allman Brothers guitarist Jack Pearson, and ex-Little Feat vocalist Shaun Murphy.

Also in 2012, in recognition of their contributions to the world of music, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to the Allman Brothers Band. Neel made significant contributions to the history of the band, playing keyboards and harmonica during their 20th Anniversary Reunion tour, performing on the Seven Turns album, and co-writing four tracks on that album, including the chart topping hit Good Clean Fun.

OFFICIAL SITE

5923 - JOHNNY NEEL & THE LAST WORD - Comin' Atcha...Live! (1995)

JOHNNY NEEL & THE LAST WORD
''COMIN' ATCHA... LIVE!''
1995
48:01

1. Society Hill/Johnny Neel, Rose Ann Dimalanta/5:45
2. Just My Style/Johnny Neel, Warren Haynes/5:23
3. Maydell/Johnny Neel, Warren Haynes/4:05
4. Read Me My Rights/Johnny Neel, Delbert McClinton/5:01
5. Lost the Will To Love Me/Johnny Neel, Tommy Polk/3:15
6. What Am I/Johnny Neel, Warren Haynes/5:07
7. Bless My Soul/Johnny Neel, Rose Ann Dimalanta/5:08
8. Turn on Your Love/Johnny Neel, Ricky Ray Rector/5:54
9. Blues Ain't Nothin'/Johnny Neel, Taj Mahal, Kim Morrison/4:41
10. Easy Come, Easy Go/Johnny Neel, Kim Morrison/4:52

Johnny Neel/Hammond B-3 Organ, Vocals
Jack Pearson/Guitar
Tim Loftin/Bass
Scotty Hawkins/Drums
Keli Bruce, Nannette Britt-Bohannon, Vickie Carrico/Background Vocals
Delbert McClinton/Harmonica

A funky live set of Southern soul, R&B, blues and funk from the great and underrated singer/songwriter and Hammond B-3 specialist Johnny Neel who made a name for himself as keyboard player in various incarnations of the Allman Brothers Band.

BIOGRAPHY
By Wikipedia
Johnny Neel is an American vocalist, songwriter, and musician based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is best known for his songwriting, stage, and session work for the Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, and Dickey Betts. Keith Whitley, Travis Tritt, The Oak Ridge Boys, Restless Heart, Ann Peebles, Dorothy Moore, and John Schneider. As a studio musician, Neel has lent his talents to recordings by a diverse group of artists including The Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, Warren Haynes, Dickey Betts, Montgomery Gentry, Michael McDonald, Todd Snider, David Allan Coe, Jeff Coffin, Robert Gordon, Chris LeDoux, Tiny Town, Suzy Bogguss, Joe Diffie, Colin Raye, and The Pirates of the Mississippi. As a songwriter, in addition to the material written, or co-written for the Allman Brothers, Gregg Allman, and Dicky Betts, Neel's songs have also been recorded by Gov’t Mule, John Mayall, Delbert McClinton, Montgomery Gentry, Neel was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He cut his first single, entitled "Talking About People", at the age of twelve, as Johnny Neel and The Shapes Of Soul, which was a hit on local radio in the Wilmington/Philadelphia area. As an adult, the Johnny Neel Band had a strong following up and down the east coast and released two well-received independent albums. Neel moved to Nashville in 1984. Performing with various bands in area clubs drew the attention of former Nashville resident Dickey Betts, who asked Neel to join his road band, and he soon began working on Bett’s solo LP for Epic Records. That relationship led to seven cuts on the Pattern Disruptive LP released in 1988, including the AOR hit, Rock Bottom. Neel's talented keyboard and harmonica playing on the 'Pattern Disruptive album convinced Gregg Allman to ask Neel to tour with his road band which led to the inclusion of the cut Island on The Gregg Allman Band album (also released in 1988), co-written with Allman, Dan Toler, and Tony Colton. In 1989 Neel was invited to join the reunited Allman Brothers Band. He immersed himself in touring, writing, and recording, which led to four cuts on the Allman's Seven Turns album (released in 1990), and the hit single Good Clean Fun, co-written by Neel with Allman and Betts. In 2002 country stars Montgomery Gentry included Good Clean Fun as part of their My Town album. In 1994 the studio album Johnny Neel & The Last Word was released. This album included the song Maydell which was co-written with Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers/Gov't Mule) and has been covered by the Allman Brothers on their Hittin' The Note album, and by John Mayall on his Wake Up Call album. The album also included the song Read Me My Rights which was co-written with Delbert McClinton, and which was covered by McClinton on his Nothing Personal album, by Ann Peebles on her Full Time Love album, by Dorothy Moore on her Stay Close to Home album, and by Dalton Reed on his Louisiana Soul Man album. This album featured appearances by Jack Pearson (Allman Brothers) on guitar and Delbert McClinton on harmonica. In 1995 Neel's album Commin' Atcha... Live was released and included live versions of Read Me My Rights and Maydell. The album captured a live appearance by Neel and his band The Last Word including Jack Pearson and most of the musicians on The Last Word album. In 2000 Neel released Late Night Breakfast which was recorded at his Straight Up Sound Studio with the members of his band The Last Word along with special guests guitarists Shane Theriot (The Neville Brothers), and Rick Vito (Fleetwood Mac/Zoo), as well as Wayne Jackson (The Memphis Horns) on trumpet. Late Night Breakfast was released on Neel’s Breakin’ Records label. During the period of time the Late Night Breakfast recordings were made Neel also became a member of Blue Floyd, an all-star jam band performing variations on the material of Pink Floyd. In addition to Neel, the band was composed of guitarist Marc Ford (Black Crowes), drummer Matt Abts (Gov't Mule), bassist Berry Oakley Jr. (OKB Band) and until his unfortunate demise, Allen Woody (Allman Brothers/Gov't Mule) on second guitar. Neel and Abts then went into the Straight Up Sound Studio and recorded the X2 funk/jam duo project. X2 - Johnny Neel / Matt Abts was released in 2002. In 2004 Neel released the album Gun Metal Blue on his Breaking Records label which was also recorded at Straight Up Sound. These sessions included guitarists Chris Anderson (Blackhawk/Outlaws), George Marinelli (Bonnie Raitt/Bruce Hornsby), and Pat Bergeson (Chet Atkins/Lyle Lovett), drummer Vince Santoro (Rodney Crowell/Highwaymen), and vocalists Joanna Cotten, and Neel's wife, Christine Thompson Neel. Also in 2004, the album Johnny Neel and The Italian Experience was released on the Italian label Artesuono. This album included strings and horns as Neel moved in a Jazz direction. The album included members of the Italian blues/rock/jam power trio W.I.N.D. with which Neel has toured and recorded in Europe several times. In addition to the Blue Floyd and X2 projects, Neel was a part of two other all-star collaborations. The group Deep Fried included Neel on keyboards, drummer Matt Abts, guitarist Brian Stoltz (The Neville Brothers/The Funky Meters), and bassist George Porter Jr.(The Meters/The Funky Meters). Their album The Deep Fried Sessions - Live was released in 2004. The other group, The Grease Factor released two live recordings; Off the Cuff in 2004, and Live From Zambifest 2004 in 2005. The Grease Factor included guitarist Shane Theriot (The Neville Brothers), bassist Derek Jones (David Grisman), drummer Jeff Sipe (Leftover Salmon / Aquarium Rescue Unit), and percussionist Count M’Butu (Aquarium Rescue Unit). Neel has provided vocals on five songs included on four Walt Disney Records CD releases related to the Pixar Animation Studios movie releases Finding Nemo, Cars, and Ratatouille. These include Saturday Night Fish Fry from the 2003 release Finding Nemo: Ocean Favorites, My Old Car from the 2006 release Lightning McQueen's Fast Tracks, One Meat Ball and Banana Split for My Baby from the 2007 release Ratatouille: What's Cooking?, and Hot Rodder's Lament from the 2009 release Mater's Car Tunes. Most recently he has been recording and performing with his band The Criminal Element. Three albums have been released by Johnny Neel and The Criminal Element; Volume 1 (2007), Volume 2 (2008), and The CSI Chronicles (2010). In 2010 Neel also released Harmonius, a solo project featuring only his vocals and keyboards.

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By CDBABY
Although not a household name, Johnny Neel is a Grammy award nominee recognized in the music world for his work with the Allman Brothers, Lonnie Mack and Gov't Mule, among others. In addition to his soulful vocals, harp, piano and B-3 proficiency, Johnny is an accomplished songwriter whose tunes have been recorded by the likes of the Allman Brothers, Joe Louis Walker, John Mayall, Irma Thomas, Ann Peebles, Marie Osmond, the Oak Ridge Boys and Travis Tritt. Born and Raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Johnny Neel cut his first single at the age of twelve, as Johnny Neel and The Shapes Of Soul. As an adult, the Johnny Neel Band had a strong following up and down the East Coast and released two well-received independent albums. Neel moved to Nashville, the premiere song writing city, in 1984, where he immediately became recognized as an "A" session studio player. Others began to notice Neel’s songwriting talent and decided to take advantage by recording his songs on their albums. Performing with various bands in area clubs drew the attention of former Nashville resident Dickey Betts, who asked Neel to join his road band, and begin working on Dickey's solo LP for Epic Records. That relationship led to seven cuts on the "Pattern Disruptive" LP including the Top 10 AOR hit, "Rock Bottom." Neel's talented keyboard and harp playing on that album convinced Gregg Allman to ask Neel to tour with his road band. Neel decided to join the reunited Allman Brothers Band, immersing himself in a successful tour, which led to a number one AOR smash hit during the summer of 1990. Car radios all across America blasted "Good Clean Fun", from the Seven Turns Album, co-written by Neel with Allman and Betts. The chart topping hit provided the reunited Allmans with their highest charting single since "Ramblin' Man" fifteen years prior. Following that tour, Neel released "Late Night Breakfast", which was recorded at his studio, Straight Up Sound Studio, with the members of his band, "The Last Word", and special guests such as Shane Theriot (The Neville Brothers), Rick Vito (Fleetwood Mac) and Wayne Jackson (The Memphis Horns). This record was released on Neel’s label, Breakin’ Records, which showcased his pleading vocals as well as brilliant piano, B-3 and harp work. During that same period of time the recordings were made, Neel also became a member of Blue Floyd, a premiere jam band with variations on the material of Pink Floyd. In addition to Neel, the band was comprised of Marc Ford (Black Crowes), Matt Abts (Gov't Mule), Berry Oakley, Jr. (OKB Band) and until his recent and unfortunate demise, Allen Woody (Gov't Mule). Neel and Abts then went into the Straight Up Sound Studio and recorded the X2 project which was graciously received by fans and the media. More recently, some of Neel penned songs have been recorded by Travis Tritt, Montgomery Gentry and Delbert Mc Clinton. Neel is also excited about his latest release on Breakin’ Records titled Gun Metal Blue, which was release in April, 2004. As a man with boundless energy, Neel still manages to juggle studio work, local club gigs, road work and hit song writing, and somehow between the chaos maintains his sanity. “They say that you can’t do it all; Hell, I’m trying to prove ‘em wrong.” - Johnny Neel.

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1828 - JOHNNY NEEL - Every Kinda' Blues (2012)

JOHNNY NEEL
''EVERY KINDA' BLUES''
MAY 01 2012
BREAKIN' RECORDS

01 - Every Kinda' Blues/0:3:59
02 - Right Out the Window/0:4:11
03 - Won't Lay Me Down/0:7:19
04 - I'm Gonna Love You/0:4:11
05 - Sunday Morning Rain/0:4:31
06 - Johnny Needs a Shot/0:3:40
07 - How to Play the Blues/0:5:20
08 - Murdered By Love/0:10:53
09 - Mighty Mississippi/0:4:00
10 - I Wanna Know the Way/0:5:35
11 - My Kinda' People/0:5:06

Johnny Neel/Keyboards, Vocals, Harmonica, Keytar Slide
Dennis Gulley/Bass, Backing Vocals
Fabio Drusin/Bass
Daryl Burgess/Drums
Silver Bassi/Drums
Keio Stroud/Drums
Curt Redding/Drums
Jack Pearson/Guitar
Anthony Basso/Guitar
Danny Hamlin/Guitar
Eldon Huff/Guitar, Backing Vocals
Luke Davis/Guitar
Kenny Meeks/Guitar
Doug Jones/Guitar
Keio Stroud/Percussion
Kim Morrison/Backing Vocals
Christine Thompson/Backing Vocals
Shawn Murphy/Backing Vocals
Randy Russell/Backing Vocals

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