Marcus King and Eric Krasno paid tribute to the late Neal Casal with a cover of “No One Above You”. The track will appear on the forthcoming compilation, Highway Butterfly: The Songs of Neal Casal, out on November 12th.
Taken from the Circles Around The Sun guitarist’s 2000 solo album, Anytime Tomorrow, King commands vocals on this touching love song. The two renowned guitar players are able to strike a peaceful, delicate balance that brings both players’ prowess flowing in and out like the tide. Also on hand for the track are several of Casal’s former bandmates including Jesse Aycock and Highway Butterfly co-producer Dave Schools (Hard Working Americans), Adam MacDougall (CATS), and Tony Leone (Chris Robinson Brotherhood) in addition to Lauren Barth and Alex Koford on backing vocals.
“I feel so blessed and honored to have the opportunity to take part in an album celebrating the life and music of a great songwriter and a beautiful soul,” King said in a press release. “Neal and I met many times over the years on the road and through mutual friend groups. He always had a smile on his face and song to share. I was a fan of Neal’s instrumental music and a fan of his as a guitarist, but it wasn’t until I was asked to be part of this project that I truly dove into his work as a songwriter. I’m thankful for his music and I’m so thrilled for the release of this album. There are so many wonderful friends and musicians I’m humbled to be mentioned among.”
Also set to appear on Highway Butterfly: The Songs of Neal Casal are Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Bob Weir, Hiss Golden Messenger, Fruit Bats, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Jonathan Wilson, Jimmy Herring, The Allman Betts Band, Shooter Jennings, Beachwood Sparks, Jaime Wyatt, J Mascis, Warren Haynes, Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band, Cass McCombs, The Mattson 2, Oteil Burbridge, Steve Kimock, John Morgan Kimock, Duane Trucks, Leslie Mendelson, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Johnathan Rice, Billy Strings, Kenny Roby, and Norah Jones’ Puss N Boots, among many others.
“We were working steadily at the pace of a song a day at PLYRZ Studios recording songs for the tribute record and all of it was fantastic. But things were getting weird out in the world with COVID-19 creating confusion and fear. We had our own little musical bubble going on at Jim Scott‘s studio. Marcus King’s session would be the last recording before we scrapped the rest of the sessions as the world was locking down,” Schools said. “The band was crackerjack and the tune was just soaring. It felt so soulful and right on time. Marcus delivered big time both vocally and as a guitar hero. He made the song resonate with positivity. We had a giant choir made up of many of the artists who had been participating in the recording sessions that week singing the chorus at the end of the song and it took the track over the top. It felt special and it was a great way to wrap up an already amazing week of recording.”
All profits from the album, out on November 12th, will benefit the Neal Casal Music Foundation which connects music industry professionals with mental health resources as well as provides music education to children in Casal’s home stage of New Jersey. Click here to pre-order Highway Butterfly: The Songs of Neal Casal and watch the video for “No One Above You” below or listen on your preferred streaming platform.
Marcus King, Eric Krasno — “No One Above You” (Neal Casal)
[Video: Neal Casal]