Neal Casal was a hugely respected singer-songwriter and musician whose ten solo albums are highly regarded by the roots and americana music communities. He was also a consummate collaborator who could be found playing alongside artists ranging from Willie Nelson to Shooter Jennings, The Jayhawks to Phil Lesh. On top of that, he was a bandmate and an integral part of the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, GospelbeacH, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Beachwood Sparks, Hard Working Americans, The Skiffle Players, and Circles Around the Sun. His tragic death in 2019 left a hole in the hearts of fans and friends alike.
Neal Casal Music Foundation has announced a new collection of mostly unreleased early studio recordings and demos, “No One Above You (The Early Years 1991-1998)”, issued in tandem with a book of rare and unseen photographs, “No One Above You (Christy Coleman + Neal Casal – A Love Story In Photographs)”, compiled by his former wife, Christy Coleman. They provide an intimate look at Casal’s formative years, creatively and personally. Both album and book will be available on 12th September 2025 via the Neal Casal Music Foundation and RPF Records.
Primarily recorded between 1991 and 1995, in the years before Casal’s album debut, “Fade Away Diamond Time”, the songs trace the lines of his fledgling career, furrowed with the songwriter’s mix of humility and hope. The album includes unheard Casal compositions alongside covers of Tom T. Hall, The Incredible String Band, and Floyd “Red Crow” Westerman. Longtime manager Gary Waldman, Cardinals’ bandmate Jon Graboff and Grammy Award-winning engineer Jim Scott compiled and remixed the recordings, adding a handful of subtle additions to Casal’s original takes. The liner notes offer a personal recollection from Waldman.
In the companion photo memoir, Coleman shares images of the couple’s courtship and companionship, culled from pictures captured by herself, Casal, and a few friends along the way. It’s an unvarnished vision of backstage solitude, after-hours revelry, and the counterbalance of a home away from the crowds.
The album—on limited edition 180-gram green vinyl, 180-gram black vinyl, CD and digital formats —and book are accompanied by two limited edition tees designed by Nashville-based imogene + willie—one in vintage white, the other in faded black—each featuring an original SX-70 Polaroid from the book. Pre-order and pre-save details can be found here.
The opening track of “No One Above You (The Early Years 1991-1998)” has been released as a single with an accompanying video. You can listen to/ watch ‘Silver Dollar’ right here.
