Book Of Stories (Home Recordings 1998–2003) is a new 12-track collection of previously unreleased songs by Neal Casal, which will be released on 6th November 2026 via the Neal Casal Music Foundation/Blackwing Music/Royal Potato Family. The collection was compiled by Casal’s longtime manager, Gary Waldman, from an extensive archive of recordings left behind following the singer-songwriter’s untimely death in 2019.
In 1997, Casal was gifted an Otari 8-track analogue tape recorder, along with essential microphones and recording gear, by producer Jim Scott, who produced Fade Away Diamond Time (1995) and Anytime Tomorrow (1999). Over many long nights in New Jersey, and later Los Angeles in 2001, Casal taught himself the art of home recording. It was during this period that he captured the solo songs that comprise this new release. “Neal became adept at playing all the instruments on his songs and making these lovely recordings,” explains Waldman. “Although none of these songs ever appeared on any of his official albums, there are many highlights here; these are not just throwaway tracks.”
The 12 original analogue reels were brought back to the East Coast by Waldman after surviving multiple relocations over two decades, and played back on Casal’s Otari machine, now housed in bassist Jeff Hill’s Connecticut studio. “We weren’t sure if these tapes would still work, having not been played in 25 years or so, but we put the first reel up and out came Neal’s voice like he was sitting right there with us,” continues Waldman. “It blew our minds. Listening to these tunes all these years later reminded me of how great he was at not only layering guitar parts, but also on bass and even his primitive drumming. These songs are essential listening for longtime Neal fans and hopefully for some new fans, too.”
Muscatine, the album’s first single, has been released alongside an accompanying video created by director Ray Foley from footage he filmed of Casal in 1998 which you can listen to below. You can pre-save/pre-order the album here and look out for our review nearer the release date.
“Book Of Stories (Home Recordings 1998–2003)” Tracklist:
1. Muscatine
2. Down With A Friend
3. Leave My Loving Cup Behind
4. Words and Music
5. Dark and Dangerous Days
6. In My Mind
7. Joe Don’t Let Your Music Kill You
8. Something You Should Know
9. Where Does the Time Go
10. It’s Got Me Down
11. How Many Times
12. Good News
