This is not Old Love.

Singer/songwriter Neal Hagberg (of Neal & Leandra) releases a solo CD, "It's Not As Simple As It Seems," unlike anything you've ever heard from him.  Instead of reducing issues to sound bites, the 14 songs on this CD
put a human face on the suffering we experience and, subsequently,
cause in the world.  No topic is off limits - war, homophobia, abortion,
religious fundamentalism, or even forgiveness.

Please scroll down below the CD to check out some words from Neal regarding this project and for some discussion points on the issues brought forth on this CD.  Also, feel free to check out and contribute to the forum.  This page is to be used to discuss the songs and whatever experiences they bring up in you.  

For Neal's upcoming shows, please go to the tour page.

If you'd like to sign up on the mailing list for Neal's solo project, please click here, and enter "Neal solo" on the comment line at the bottom.

To purchase a CD ($15 + $4 s/h), click on the paypal link below the CD cover.  To purchase 3 CDs for a special price ($40 + $4 s/h), scroll down below the track listing and click on the paypal link.  To purchase individual mp3s ($1 each), click on the link to the far right of each track, or to purchase the full album of mp3s ($10) click on the link below the last track.  For all digital sales, there is a 25 cent transaction fee (this applies to the full transaction, not to each track).

To pay by check, click here for a printable order form.

A few words from Neal
You may choose to listen to this recording all the way through in one sitting. Or you may choose to listen to one song at a time, then turn off the music and sit with it. The songs are meant to be used for reflection and conversation. They are meant to put a human face on the suffering we experience and, subsequently, cause each other in this world.

I struggled many months deciding whether or not to put this out as it is, thinking I should make it more palatable to people, and certainly more marketable. But it seemed to want to be what it is before you. Strangely enough, these songs give me comfort. I can’t explain why, but they do.

If an organization you are involved with would be interested in a workshop, artist in residency, or concert, that is available.
-- Thanks, Neal

Discussion Points
Here are some questions to ask as discussion starters with family, friends, organizations, or even people you would consider adversaries.

If you choose to do this with a group, I would recommend that ground rules be laid, so that everyone can express their experience in safety, acknowledging that everyone’s experience is different in regards to how they will react to the songs.

In my own experience, it is helpful to make clear this is not about making a political or religious statement, or even about what one ‘thinks’ about the song. The only way I have found for a fruitful discussion to take place is by keeping to one’s own experience.

Dialogue, in this usage, is for sharing experiences, not to convert, win an argument, or state a position.

That is a hard, sometimes painful, thing to do. But the rewards of it can be astounding if we are committed to listening.

Here are some possible questions that can be used to promote this dialogue:

1. What is your experience of the song?

2. What memories does it kick up in you?

3. Does the song remind you of any experience you have had or anyone you know has had?

4. In what way does this phrase relate to the song? “Understanding is the beginning of compassion.” --Thich Nhat Hanh

5. What emotions does the song evoke? Why?

6. That reminds me of…

When you have thought through or discussed some of these, you may want to ask what is a way you can build a bridge to the other side, whatever you consider the other side to be?

Please feel free to email questions, your experiences, or other questions that may be helpful to add to the list. Or add to the forum. Thanks!

What Others Are Saying

“As a songwriter, Neal Hagberg has clearly mastered the art of saying more with less.”

The Washington Post

“Neal Hagberg writes inspired originals.”

Minneapolis StarTribune

“Neal Hagberg's music is a bridge - it can help us recognize the humanity and doubts and struggles and fears we share with those we all too often consider the "other." Neal uses music, his first language, to tell hard truths beautifully. This is not background music. These are songs for the fully conscious (or those striving to be).

In these songs, Neal introduces us to people we may not be sure we wanted to meet, but their stories stay with us and change us. And that's a good thing.”

Julie Madden

Peace and Justice Ministries Coordinator

St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis

“My students were provoked to think more deeply about the challenging issues addressed by Hagberg’s songs and to continue asking questions of themselves.  I can’t wait to have him back.”

Jeff Dahlseid, Professor of Biochemistry

“I think that music/song provides an avenue to get people to think and talk about these

uncomfortable issues which we would rather avoid.  And providing a human face, as Hagberg says, makes it both more immediate and personal; it underlines the human complexity - and cost - in ways that statistics and abstract arguments can’t.  Neal’s is risky but important work.”

Florence Amamato, Professor of English and Ethics

“Neal Hagberg is a remarkable presence.  With warmth, humor, an open and generous spirit, and a gift for mindful presence, Neal reflected with us on his own professional, artistic, and vocational journey, and on the power of story to form beliefs and world-views that animate meaningful action in the world.  We were challenged and enlightened.”

Chris Johnson, Director

Center For Vocational Reflection

Gustavus Adolphus College

“Neal Hagberg opened up these fragile and offensive topics in a way that didn’t lend bias to his songs.”

“He did an amazing job of making us think, of facilitating a conversation, of causing us to deliberate over new ideas.”

“His songs helped me to reconsider many of the injustices that I have long placed in the closet of my mind to collect dust.”

“The music Hagberg has written has really begun to stimulate conversation among us, conversations I feel are essential to our society.”

“Neal has a beautiful voice and provocative stage presence that hopefully will spark conversations across this community.  Together we can make a commitment to conversation.”

College students

"It's Not As Simple As It Seems" is one of the most provocative, challenging, disturbing and yet thoughtful and sensitive performances I've programmed in my 25-year career.  Any college which truly wishes to confront the issues of bigotry and hatred should consider staging Neal Hagberg front and center.

Al Behrends

College Fine Arts Programming Director