Stream Previously Unreleased Neal Casal Song ‘Muscatine’ Set For Posthumous Album ‘Book Of Stories’

A new previously unreleased posthumous collection from Neal Casal, Book Of Stories (Home Recordings 1998–2003), arrives November 6 via the Neal Casal Music Foundation/Blackwing Music/Royal Potato Family. The 12-track set is previewed with the single “Muscatine.”

In 1997, Casal collaborator Jim Scott — who produced the singer-songwriter’s early albums Fade Away Diamond Time (1995) and Anytime Tomorrow (1999) — gifted Neal an Otari 8-track analog recorder. Book Of Stories consists of a dozen tracks captured on the analog machine in both Neal’s native New Jersey and after his relocation to Los Angeles, preserved and compiled by Neal Casal’s longtime manager Gary Waldman.

“Neal became adept at playing all the instruments on his songs and making these lovely recordings,” Waldman recalled. “Although none of these songs ever appeared on any of his official albums, there are many highlights here; these are not just throwaway tracks.”

Following Neal Casal’s death in 2019, Waldman brought the analog reels back to the East Coast. Gary convened with Jeff Hill, who housed Casal’s Otari in his Connecticut studio, where they fired up the reels.

“We weren’t sure if these tapes would still work, having not been played in 25 years or so, but we put the first reel up and out came Neal’s voice like he was sitting right there with us,” Waldman continued. “It blew our minds. Listening to these tunes all these years later reminded me of how great he was at not only layering guitar parts, but also on bass and even his primitive drumming. These songs are essential listening for longtime Neal fans and hopefully for some new fans, too.”

There are 11 originals on Book Of Stories. The collection’s lone cover is Tom T. Hall’s ‘Joe, Don’t Let Your Music Kill You.’”

While consisting mostly of stripped down acoustic cuts such as “Down With A Friend,” “Leave My Loving Cup Behind” and “Where Does The Time Go,” the collection also contains more fleshed out, electrified recordings. Preview track “Muscatine” is one of the latter, described in the press material as a “Harvest-era, Neil Young-inspired” song.

“Muscatine” carries a companion video featuring footage director Ray Foley shot of Neal in 1998. Watch below:

Book Of Stories (Home Recordings 1998–2003) Tracklist:

1. Muscatine
2. Down With A Friend
3. Leave My Loving Cup Behind
4. Words and Music
5. Dark and Dangerous Days
6. In My Mind
7. Joe Don’t Let Your Music Kill You
8. Something You Should Know
9. Where Does the Time Go
10. It’s Got Me Down
11. How Many Times
12. Good News