Simply terrible news. What a talent. R.I.P.

I mean I just saw him playing with Oteil and friends at Lockn this weekend!

Unbelievable. Really not sure what to say except this is shocking. Neal was one of my favorites.

Jambands.com has posted some good info on Neal and his career. Unfortunately his death is due to a common theme we have been seeing way to often and lately. RIP Neal.

What a bummer. Saw him play in a number of bands. What a loss.

pearlbeer wrote:What a bummer. Saw him play in a number of bands. What a loss.

So much this.

Goddamn, that's fuckin' terrible. Just goes to show you never know. I've always loved this song in particular.

Rocky wrote:I mean I just saw him playing with Oteil and friends at Lockn this weekend!

So did I, his last show.
Sucks so bad.
Incredible musician and very kind soul.

Was holding off on this post as I didn't want to do any lengthy typing on my phone

This one's a bad blow. Been a big fan since his first album Fade Away Diamond Time and was absolutely thrilled by his success over the past 10-15 years. In a just world that record would have gotten him as much acclaim as other bands of that ilk from the same time, like the Jayhawks. Saw him play a ton over the years, with Cardinals, CRB, and then a few times with Phil Lesh. Had the pleasure of having conversations with him 4 or 5 times, a few quite long and a few for just a few minutes. The first time I met him I raved about Fade Away Diamond Time and he was stunned that I knew the album, much less loved it. Very matter of factly he said that virtually everyone wants to talk about Ryan Adams and CRB (this conversation was in 2011 at one of the very first CRB shows). After that he'd always say something like "hey, you're that guy from Chico who has my debut album!" Every time we talked he was pretty stony so I was surprised he remembered me. We weren't friends, not saying that, but we talked whenever we saw each other.

The last time I had a chance to talk to him was with LBRod in a hotel bar after the 2nd Neil & Crazy Horse 2018 show in Fresno. We were starting to talk about a mutual close friend when the woman with him very angrily let him know it was time to go. He shrugged and said "we'll pick this back up down the road." I know many have already said this online, but damn, he was truly one of the most good-natured people I have ever met, period. So this one hits hard, really sad all the way around. He was truly a gem

Here's a great song from Fade Away Diamond Time

These days with you have come to pass
We've seen some dreams and we've tried hard to make them last
We've learned a lot along our way
So in simple words, I will try to say

That I love you
And I can't believe that we've come this far
So long may you run
May your song be sung
And may you never go before your time has come

Now much has been said about the man
When waves were his music and he gazed out from the sand
And though there was much he could never say
With these simple sounds, I will try to play because I know

That he loved you
And he's smiling down upon you now
So long may you run
May your song be sung
And may you never go before your time has come

You've seen the change that comes with time
And you've disbelieved the page that reads your life defined
And though I might never find my way
With these simple words you know I will try to say

That I love you
And I always tried to do you proud
So long may you run
May your song be sung
And may you never go before your time has come

Long may you run
And may your song always be sung
And may you never go before your time has come



here's a pic from the last CRB show I saw back in February

here's the one that hooked me from the first listen

I'll stop

Rocky wrote:I mean I just saw him playing with Oteil and friends at Lockn this weekend!

whatwouldcooleydo? wrote:here's the one that hooked me from the first listen

That’s a great song.

That picture kicks ass, three of my favorites at HSMF.

whatwouldcooleydo? wrote:Music and the Magician: A Remembrance of Neal Casal

Very nice.

That is the power of music that Neal was such a true believer in.
To take indescribable pain and turn it into healing for someone else.
That is no mere trick. That is real magic.