Neale Eckstein – Build Our Dreams
While this music isn’t going to raise eyebrows like Randy Newman’s “Short People,” the charm lies in Massachusetts’ Neale Eckstein’s ability to set music to a nostalgic scenario as he does on “Always Been Older Than Me.” Neale has always had an attractive balladeer storyteller voice. He explores, through his latest set of songs, a long, successful marriage, a family displaced by wildfire, a reassuring hand, a tribute to the late Kris Kristofferson, people chased by different dreams & what a grieving father builds. No fluff. Not your run-of-the-mill R&R set but penetrating tales.
There are plenty of supporting musicians on these songs, but the sound is rather spare. There are no bombastic take-offs into solo territory; it’s a well-constructed song & performance. The sound is full & varied, which keeps the compositions moving. “Still We Build Our Dreams” follows the basic folk-singer recipe, but it’s a solid story & because Neale’s voice is pure & sincere & doesn’t come across as sympathetic or as a preacher. He’s a narrator.
There are 11 tunes to Build Our Dreams (Drops May 22/Independent/42:40) produced by Neale (vocals/guitar/acoustic guitar/Gryphon/shaker/dobro/organ). Surprisingly, the one tune I thought would be a blemish turns out to be a jewel. The cover of Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night” is beautifully rendered by Neale, with the pensive tone of Sophie Buskin adds color. A wonderful vocal combination.
Neale goes from the lovely “Keep Your Christmas In Your Heart,” a Christmas song that isn’t sappy, silly, or novelty-driven, to a slick mid-tempo rocker, “Everyone Was Watching.” Again, a bit nostalgic but always with charm & allure. Buddy Holly himself could have sung this.
The video of “If You Could See Me” is more of a pop-oriented arrangement with a full band, whereas the version on the LP is spare, with only Neale & Ben Trigg’s cello. It’s quite a contrast. I prefer the video version. It doesn’t diminish the album version; it’s just that the video version is more exciting.
Neale is a reliable, good storyteller with a fine repertoire.
Highlights – “Always Been Older Than Me,” “Still We Build Our Dreams,” “Empty Frame On a Wall,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” “Keep Your Christmas In Your Heart,” & “Everyone Was Watching.”
Musicians – Pedro Silveira (mandolin/electric guitar), Matt Nakoa (electric guitars), Nikos Mavridis (violin/viola), Keris Choi (violins), Bruno Migliari & Andre Vasconcellos (bass), Steve Lewis (pedal steel), Eric Schwartz (organ/piano/bass), Josue Gonzalez (piano), Rene Pfister (piano), Bruno Werner, Chris Powers & Jagoda (drums/bells/percussion), Ben Trigg (cello) & the Eckstein family choir (carolers).
A 16pp stitched lyric insert is included. Color image courtesy of Neale’s Bandcamp. CD @ https://nealeeckstein.com/ & Bandcamp @ https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a4012549994_10.jpg
