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| NEAL HAGBERG: SONGS OF SHADOW AND LIGHT A CD Release Celebration |
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| NEAL HAGBERG: SONGS OF SHADOW AND LIGHT A CD Release Celebration |
What would you write if you had no fear?
Neal Hagberg, known for the past twenty years as half of the national touring duo Neal & Leandra, comes to St. Joan of Arc on February 24th for a very special, remarkable solo evening.
Thirteen years ago, when Newt Gingrich was swept into power, Hagberg wrote one satirical song which compared Gingrich’s espoused values with how he appeared to be actually living them. “Let’s Newter Newt” received national airplay almost by accident. The accompanying death threats from a Washington D.C. think tank, as well as letters from some of Neal & Leandra’s audience members threatening never to return if they sang the song again in concert, left Hagberg asking the question ‘what is the purpose of making art?’ Is it to please an audience, to make a living, to try new things regardless of the reaction? All of the above? Or none?
What would you write if you had no fear?
Here is a night to find out. Celebrating the release of his new solo CD, St. Joan’s is the place where a number of the songs on the recording were debuted. “Plain and True” was first sung the Sunday the Reverend Mel White was barred from speaking at St. Joan’s because he is openly gay. “The Noose”, a wrenching story about a soldier’s internal anguish after a battle mistake, was introduced on Memorial Day Weekend two years ago. And “She” and “Imagine That” were sung this past spring lamenting the lost image of the feminine side of God, and the power of religious fundamentalism to overshadow the power of love if we give in to fear.
What would you write if you had no fear?
The evening will be a mix of songs and stories that are personal, poignant, provocative, and funny. Most have never been heard before in concert. No topic will remain off limits. Even Newt, perhaps… And, yes, Hagberg will also sneak in a couple of the old Neal & Leandra favorites.
Joining Neal for guest appearances will be Leandra Peak, Neal’s wife and musical partner the past twenty years, who has been named Best Female Vocalist in The Twin Cities (all genres) by City Pages; and Peter Mayer, one of the finest singer/songwriters in the country, and one of St. Joan’s favorites.
What would you sing if you had no fear?
Neal Hagberg - known for penning love songs like ‘Old Love’ for Neal & Leandra - is answering that question with this solo premiere of a brave new CD, It's Not as Simple as It Seems, where no topic is off limits. None. Religiously incorrect, politically charged, this is Neal like you have never heard him. Join him for a mix of brand new songs and stories that are personal, poignant, provocative, and funny.
| It's Not as Simple as It Seems Neal Hagberg CD Release Sunday February 24th 7:30 PM, $17.00 |