Here are some pictures from our session with Sam Butler and Dan Neale.

Sam and I met at the Martin Luther King Holiday Breakfast a couple months ago and we got to chatting about music. After hearing that he’d played in other Lutheran churches in the Twin Cities, I mentioned this project to him. We had coffee a few days later and he agreed to be on the record with a friend of his, Dan Neale.

I learned that Sam has toured with the Bilnd Boys of Alabama, as well as The Gospel at Colonus (a gospel version of Sophocles’ tragedy, Oedipus at Colonus).

Sam brought a friend along, Dan Neale, who (unbeknownst to me) is one of the Twin Cities’ MVGP (most valuable guitar pickers!) having performed with the Galactic Cowboy Orchestra, as well as appearing regularly on A Prairie Home Companion.

Well, Dan shows up in his cowboy boots and bolo, and him and Sam open up their guitar cases and they just pulled a whole lot of magic out of thin air! The song, “In My Heart” had been recorded earlier by Sam & the Blind Boys, but this time with Dan’s slide guitar and Sam’s soulful vocals, it was like being transported to a front porch down south, sippin on sweet tea… or were we in the front pew at church? No matter, you’re sure to enjoy their contribution to this album.  I know I did.

And, while I haven’t yet heard the track, I’m told they also graciously laid down some sweet rhythms for our take on Billy Preston’s You Are So Beautiful (a song we wanted to use as a prayer of faithful devotion). What a blessing each person has been to this project!

Picture credits: Jim Denham Photography