On Kenny Neal's third Telarc release, One Step Closer, he combines the Louisiana musical traditions he grew up listening to with a wide range of contemporary material. Among the 12 tracks are soul-blues renditions of Bob Dylan's "Walk Out in the Rain," Nick Lowe's "High on a Hilltop," and John Hiatt's "Lover's Will." Neal's developing skills as a songwriting have been convincingly affected by roots rock and Americana, as showcased on "Backdoor Tipper," "No More One More Chance," "Whiskey Tears," and "She Ain't Happy Unless She's Sad."