A new compilation album will revisit late guitarist Neal Casal‘s formative years as a developing singer-songwriter in the 1990s. Out September 12th via the Neal Casal Music Foundation and Royal Potato Family, No One Above You (The Early Years 1991–1998) paints an intimate portrait of a young artist in his creative adolescence, long before his landmark guitar work with Circles Around the Sun, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, and Ryan Adams & The Cardinals. The album will arrive alongside a book of rare and unseen photos compiled by his former wife, Christy Coleman.
No One Above You primarily consists of unreleased early studio recordings and demos made between 1991 and 1995 prior to Casal’s cult favorite debut, Fade Away Diamond Time. Far from the exploratory jam-rock for which he’d become known to a wider audience in the decades to follow, No One Above You hears Casal finding his voice as an Americana singer-songwriter. The 13-track collection features early versions of unissued originals, as well as covers from Tom T. Hall, The Incredible String Band, and Floyd “Red Crow” Westerman.
Casal’s longtime manager Gary Waldman, his Cardinals bandmate Jon Graboff, and Grammy-winning engineer Jim Scott (who also helmed 2021’s Highway Butterfly: The Songs of Neal Casal tribute with Dave Schools) compiled and remixed the recordings, adding a few subtle additions to Neal’s original takes. No One Above You includes additional performances by John Ginty, Dan Fadel, Angie McKenna, Jeff Hill, Jon Graboff, and more.
For the liner notes, Waldman penned a recollection of the events that led Casal to pursue a solo career, detailing his artistic evolution into an independent songwriter and eventually an in-demand session and touring guitarist. Casal died by suicide in 2019 and left behind nearly three decades of music, with the Neal Casal Music Foundation launched to comb through his extensive archives and also support mental health organizations and music education in New Jersey and New York.
The announcement of No One Above You comes with the lead single, “Silver Dollar”. The Laurel Canyon revivalist cut captures the feeling of being broke and busted with a vulnerability that would become a hallmark of Casal’s songwriting. Lush overdubbed strings, piano, and backing vocals give this previously unreleased recording a polished feel, highlighting the care and intention that went into restoring Casal’s demos for No One Above You.
Along with the album, the Neal Casal Music Foundation will issue No One Above You (Christy Coleman + Neal Casal – A Love Story In Photographs). Casal’s former wife compiled the collection documenting the couple’s courtship and companionship, with photos taken by her, Neal, and friends. While the album offers a glimpse into Casal’s musical maturation, the accompanying photo book provides an intimate look at him growing up, both personally and creatively. A press release calls it “an unvarnished vision of backstage solitude, after hours revelry, and the counterbalance of a home away from the crowds.”
No One Above You (The Early Years 1991-1998) is available now for pre-order on 180-gram green vinyl, 180-gram black vinyl, CD, and digital formats. Various merch bundles are available, which include the photo book and two limited edition t-shirts adorned with original Polaroid photos from the book.
Listen to the previously unreleased Neal Casal song “Silver Dollar” and click below for the full No One Above You tracklist.
Neal Casal — “Silver Dollar”
Neal Casal — No One Above You | Trailer
