"Rain, Wind And Speed" is an intimate acoustic recording, "...to get closer to the truth. The kind of record where someone sits down and plays a song all the way through and leaves it just like it is, rough spots and all" (from the liner-notes). It follows his electric debut "Fade Away Diamond Time" (available as Mailorder Only CD) and the parting from the BMG-owned Zoo label.
"Rain, Wind And Speed" was done live in the studio in a mere 5 days. Two days for Neal´s vocals and guitar, one day for some subtle mandolin/banjo oberdubs, slight washes of Hammond organ and pedal-steel-licks. Two days to mix the whole thing down.
"The minimalist approach accentuates Casal´s talent as a songwriter and vocalist of serious emotional range and depth. It´s not surprising to find a somberness hanging over these proceedings, but these vignettes of heartache and disillusionment are infused with an honesty and purity that few artists currently seem capable of employing." (No Depression)