Biogs....

John Neal....

I have been playing guitar and singing over 30 years, since I was 18. My teaching career spanned the next 25 years and the guitar was often brought into use in school. I seriously concentrated on playing in folk clubs from 2001 onwards, having dabbled in them during his college days in the early 70’s and on and off when time allowed.

I promised myself a new guitar and eventually bought a Martin in 2001. I made myself learn ‘Nettle Wine’ – a fine tune and guitar accompaniment written by Ralph McTell. On a good night with a following wind I can play a passable rendition, but only if no one is listening. With an audience, it can fall apart. Ralph McTell is a central inspiration closely followed by James Taylor and any similar player, like Mike Silver. I revere the work of others such as Dan Seals (USA), Michaela Smith (Cornwall), Steve Day (Telford) and Martin Newman (Leicester) – all great musicians and songwriters.

I like to write songs and have about 20 that are usable. I am a follower of the Bahá'í Faith, as are the last four mentioned artists, and often like to incorporate palatable versions of the main principles its teachings: unity of humanity, the Divine in creation, and anything that might discourage war and promote peace.

I have been welding, hammering and knocking in 6 inch nails to various materials and at the end of December I emerged from my smoke filled studio (must get the electrics checked) with an album of 11 songs with a title track called ‘I Rest My Case’. I prompted sold it to my mum, at the extortionate price of £7.50 but I can produce more thanks to the technological advances made in the computer field, - but its damn muddy out there and it’s windy too, even though I shut the gate.

I was pleased, and shocked, to hear that the title track was played on BBC radio WM (Coventry and Warks) on the Steve Marriott Sunday morning Show. Rumour has that he was immediately sacked and the station shut down - but airplay is airplay and sometimes you have to allow people to sacrifice themselves for your international aspirations.

I don’t like to overdo the serious stuff and I am wont to write a few silly songs, like ‘Drinking Song no 9’ which is in praise of a non alcoholic beverage, and ‘Betty Byways’ – a song about a car navigation system that a friend has. Its soothing female voice is faultless, patient and can read a map – I see a hole widening before my eyes.

I dabble around with a few other instruments harmonica, whistle, mandolin. I joined ‘Worldsong’ the Coventry based choir, last February, 2003 and thoroughly enjoy singing the harmonies and songs from far away lands as well as some tradition English ones. I did have some experience of very similar material when I sang in a Bahá'í Choir from Northamptonshire, but it was really too far to travel.

The immediate future holds attempts to improve performance skills by frequently subjecting the long suffering punters to more of the same working on new songs for the next cd probably to be called ‘Everyone Must Suffer’

Meanwhile I pursue my sign writing and photography and my involvement in the local Bahá'í community see www.jwren-images.co.uk (my artwork website) and www.bahai.org.uk/nuneaton (the website of the Nuneaton Bahá'í community). I look forward to seeing you again in any of the many super folk clubs in the area and my thanks to all the very good people who run them and all of you who offer such very good company in the pursuit of good live music.

‘Myriads of mystic tongues find utterance in one speech, and myriads of hidden mysteries are revealed in a single melody;…’
 
‘The musician's art is among those arts worthy of the highest praise, and it moveth the hearts of all who grieve…….. play and sing out ….. that the listener may be freed from chains of care and sorrow, and his soul may leap for joy…’

Quotes from the Bahá'í writings

John Neal
 
updated March 2004

You can visit John Neal Online at http://www.johneal.co.uk