Neal Black & The Healers back with a new album

Guitarist and composer Neal Black returns with a new album titled number 3 monkey, released with his band The Healers and recorded under unusual conditions during a European tour. The record confirms the Texan musician’s deep roots in the blues while asserting a clearly identifiable rock identity.

Number 3 monkey features twelve tracks, including ten original compositions by Neal Black. Staying true to his respectful relationship with blues history, he also pays tribute to two major Delta figures with covers of Devil Got My Woman by Skip James and No Way to Get Along by Robert Wilkins.

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Neal Black continues to draw on his roots while developing a personal songwriting voice. The tracks are built on a consistently well-controlled balance between electric guitar leads and more subtle acoustic slide dobro parts, all carried by his raspy voice, instantly recognizable from the opening bars. A respected songwriter, Neal Black also made a strong impression recently by co-writing nine tracks on man on a mission, the latest album by Manu Lanvin, voted “Blues Actu Radio listeners’ album of the year” in 2025.

Recorded over a few days off between tour dates, the album was made in studios located in France and Belgium. Rather than staying at the hotel, Neal Black & The Healers used this time to record in a near-live setting and a deliberately tight atmosphere.

The record also features several guest musicians, including Nico Wayne Toussaint on harmonica, Janet Martin on acoustic guitar, and Flo Bauer on guitar, notably known for his work with Circle Of Mud. These contributions further enrich an already dense body of work.

For Neal Black, songwriting remains central to the project, with a clearly assumed responsibility toward the listener. He explains: “Sometimes a song can be your best friend, sometimes it’s your only friend. You can take it with you wherever you are in the world, whatever you’re doing. Having a song in your head and in your heart can help you get through dark days or make good days even better. That’s why, as a songwriter, I feel a strong responsibility to create something I can stand behind and that will hopefully bring some pleasure to those who want to listen and carry that song with them when they need it.”

Around Neal Black on vocals and guitar, The Healers operate as a tight and highly efficient band. On bass, Abder Benachour drives the groove. On piano, Mike Lattrell adds blues and boogie colours that enrich the arrangements without weighing them down. On drums, Denis Palatin delivers a direct and precise dynamic, reinforcing the live energy running through the tracks.

The album will be released on March 13, 2026 (Gel Productions – Pias).