Return In Kind

This review is part of a series in which I review Neal’s solo records one by one chronologically, and chat with various friends and bandmates who were part of the making of each record.

Neal Casal’s 2005 covers album Return In Kind showcases what an absolute head Neal was – the song choices display the wide array of genres he loved. Neal was a perpetual student – he was obsessed with music, always wanted to hear more and learn more, although he probably knew more than anyone. This album is full of rare gems – he completely skips any obvious or cliche choice in favor of a handful of songs that really meant something to him. Personnel is stripped down so the songs can stand on their own – Neal’s pure voice is front and center, only accompanied by some strings and organ by Farmer Dave, pedal steel by Eric Haywood, and his own acoustic strumming.

Neal loved to share music with people – he had countless friends he’d send songs to, sharing stories about unknown and unearthed folk singers and always thirsty to learn more. I recently talked to Neal’s friend John Lee Shannon about some of the musicians they shared with one another, and John made a really interesting comment I thought worth reprinting here:

You realize the reason why Neal was so into those players is because there’s a very underdog, misfit quality about them. John Fahey, and John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, and all those dudes. There’s a very, at least to me, distinct weirdo quality about those guys. Which I love. It makes perfect sense, because obviously that was Neal. But also, all the music that Neal really loved was that same way. That’s something that I feel like I really get now. Both as just an existential thing, but also a musical thing.

I think that this is certainly true of the songs he picked for this album – it’s easy to see Neal reflected in choices like Clark, Sahm, Hurley, and even Lane.

While doing research for this album, a user on an internet forum said that Neal sent him an email with a track-by-track breakdown. I’m not sure who this person is or their relation to Neal as they did not respond to messages but would love to chat with whoever it was if you see this. Anyway, here it is in Neal’s own words.

1. Debris (Faces) – from the late, great Faces..Ronnie Lane was such a soulful musician and songwriter, this song is one of his very best..it’s one of those songs whose lyrics I don’t fully understand but I feel them deeply just the same. I’ve never been sure if it’s about a lover, a friend, or family..i guess that’s the best kind of song you can have, one that leaves everything wide open..a lot of it makes me think of my own father, completely breaks my heart…”I went there and back, just to see how far it was”..no one has ever described my own life so simply..

2. With Tomorrow (Gene Clark) -.just an amazing song..one of many great Gene Clark songs. says so much with so few words. I knew I had to sing this one as soon as I heard it..

3. Too Late (The Consolers) – I found this song on cassette at a yard sale a few years back..this old man had all these gospel tapes in a cardboard box and i asked him which one would be best..without hesitation he pointed to “The Consolers 21 greatest hits”. I took his word for it, paid my seventy five cents, and discovered a record that I could never live without..

4. Be Real (Doug Sahm) – words seem pointless when it comes to Sir Doug, he’s almost too great to describe… ..there were at least 20 of his songs that I wanted to record for this album..

5. It’s Not Enough (Johnny Thunders) – there’s two ways to do a cover song..either be as true to the original version as possible, or completely do your own thing with it..in this case, I went for the latter..i love Johnny Thunders and I’ve always loved this song but never thought of actually singing it on my own.. i stumbled upon this version by accident on a French solo tour last year…it was one of those boring, exhausting, never ending soundchecks that happen occasionally, i was mindlessly fooling around on the piano and this just dropped out of nowhere while I wasn’t looking..i never could have planned doing this song on the piano in this way, and it’s funny because it’s the only song that I’ve ever covered, that I feel truly belongs to me..

6. Miss Direction (Love As Laughter) – by Love As Laughter, a Sam Jayne song.. learned during my time with Beachwood Sparks when we were on tour with Love As Laughter and The Glands…when I first heard this band live, I thought they were one of the worst bands of all time..by the end of a week on the road, i knew without a doubt that they were one of the greatest..this song is the true sound of desperation..

7. It Won’t Hurt (Grace Braun)… there are so many great songs floating around out there, but it’s not often that I hear a song and want to cover it the minute I hear it. this is one of those few…i’ve been waiting to record it for over six years..

8. Portland Water (Michael Hurley) – I first saw Michael Hurley open for six string drag in Raleigh, North Carolina, back in 96’ or 97’. Kenny Roby was a big fan and had arranged for him to come down and do a couple of shows.. i wasn’t sure what to make of him at first but once I heard the “wolfways” record, I was hooked for life..his sense of humor is so subtle, and his outlook so original, that it’s easy for his music to pass you by….sometimes you have to slow down and take a second look y’know?

9. Yellow Kid (Royal Trux)…one of the last, really dangerous rock n’ roll bands. Another song that, for reasons unknown, feels like one of my own…

10. There’s a Reward (Joe Higgs)..jamaican music is almost as important to me as rock n’ roll..well, it’s all one and the same isn’t it? I learned this song from a documentary film, can’t remember the title. It’s a song that everyone, everywhere, can relate to at any time….several years ago I don’t think I could have done this song and pulled it off, it obviously comes from a really deep well of experience…but I think I now have enough life behind me, enough experience to sing it in my own way and bring something real to it..hope so..