New release "Keepin' It Real (Songs From the Real Book)"

[Mike Neer]

I'm very proud of this recording. I worked so hard on it in not only playing all the instruments and arranging, but also recording and mixing.
I enlisted some great guest soloists whose presence and impact is immeasurable.

The entire recording centered around a lap steel guitar that was given to me that belonged to Sol Hoopii. It was under Sol's bed for over 40 years before his widow gifted it to a friend, who in turn gifted it to me. I got a lot of music out of a 6 string short scale lap steel, I don't mind saying.

The pandemic made me revisit my perspectives and altered the course of my musical ideas. I decided to create a Hawaiian-style trio and record Jazz tunes, some hardcore 60s post-bop, too. This album is a culmination of a lot of the things I love.

https://mikeneer.bandcamp.com/album/keepin-it-real

[Susan Alcorn]

I've only listened to "Peace" so far - I love it. And what a beautiful arrangement - steel guitar and accordion! This looks like it will be another incredible album from Mike Neer.

[Mike Neer]

Many thanks, Susan!

This is available on CD—shipping in two weeks—from Bandcamp.
Will also be available on iTunes and other platforms beginning 6/1.

[Joe Cook]

I love it as well. You should be pleased with it, Mike.
Top notch in all regards!

[Mike Neer]

Thanks Joe. I am pleased with it but it took a lot out of me to make it. But I’d do it again and again, which I will.

[Ken Pippus]

Is it naive to presume you actually make more money on the CD than on an iTunes download? I’d rather the guilders went to you, rather than “the man!”

[Mike Neer]

Ken, with this release I am making it available on all platforms. Coincidentally, it is available today, June 1, on iTunes, Spotify, etc.

To answer your question, I don’t personally have a preference. I think with my last release, Steelonious, which sold a good amount of copies, I missed out on some opportunities that may have benefited me in terms of gaining much more exposure. This time, I am not expecting to make much money but hoping to gain a wider audience and the possibility of making more recordings and working more. So, whatever works for you is what I am happy with. If you want iTunes, I think you’ll have to search my name.

Thanks for asking.