Over the last two decades in Santa Cruz I have been fortunate to play and record with many talented local musicians.
Barry Phillips (cello & percussion), Shelley Phillips (English horn, oboe, harp and a multitude of other instruments), William (Celtic Bill) Coulter (guitar), Lars Johannesson (flute), Robin Petrie (hammered dulcimer), Deby Benton Grosjean (fiddle), Verlene Schermer (harp and nyckelharpa), Jesse Autumn (harp), Kim Robertson (harp), Shiloh Hellman (electric guitar), Mary Mc Laughlin (vocals), Steve Coulter (harp), Paul Hostetter (banjo & guitar), Bruce Abrams (guitar) and Joe Weed (fiddle).
I am also most grateful for the production and arrangements skills of: Barry & Shelley Phillips, Joe Weed, William Coulter and Steve Coulter.
Influences
Richard Fariña, Joni Mitchell, Kronos String Quartet, Judy Collins, Arvo Pårt, The Byrds, Tom Rush, Loreena McKennitt, Liam O'Flynn, Clannad.
Sounds Like
Mountain dulcimers, harps, cellos, nyckelharps, guitars, flutes, oboes, English horns, percussion, fiddle, hammered dulcimers, mandolins, button accordions having joyous fun together.
Neal Hellman, nationally acclaimed performer and teacher of the mountain dulcimer, has been active in performing, writing, teaching, and recording acoustic music for the past 25 years throughout the United States, Europe and New Zealand.
Neal’s latest recording, Emma’s Waltz, is a colorful dance through traditional and contemporary acoustic music styles. Featuring seventeen different musicians playing compositions from Ireland, Scotland, Finland, America and France.
Neal's other recordings include: Autumn In the Valley, Dream of the Manatee (with Joe Weed) and Oktober County , all on the Gourd Music label. Dirty Linen wrote of Oktober County “the material is first-rate and the musicianship is flawless;” and the Santa Cruz Sentinel said Dream of the Manatee is “just plain beautiful music. The San Jose Mercury wrote “Autumn In the Valley is well-played and impeccable engineered.”
He is the author of many books on the Appalachian dulcimer, including:
Celtic Songs & Slow Airs for Mountain Dulcimer, The Dulcimer Chord Book, The Hal Leonard Dulcimer Method, Beatles Dulcimer Book, and The Music of the Shakers For Mountain Dulcimer.
As a teacher, Neal is regularly paid the greatest compliment possible: his festival workshops are
invariably crowded with students, old and new, who appreciate his clear instructional style, varied and original repertoire, and enthusiasm for his instrument.
Thanks a million Neal for joining our ministry of Blues. Its all about peace, love, understanding, and GROOVE. Hope to perform for you sometime. After playing some serious Blues your tunes are a welcome relief. Wishing you the very best in Blues and life. -Big Daddy
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Hi Neal. I probably meant "trio". In that message box it scrolls down and I can't even see what I am typing. So, sorry about that. All Strings Considered (the trio) has a hammer dulcimer player. I'll leave the website here and you can see if you might know her. Nice to meet you. I love your sound. Tanya allstringsconsideredmusic. com http://cdbaby. com/cd/allstringsconsidered
Have a great time! Do you ever teach in Monterray? And do you know of ANY colleges that specialize in folk music, namely dulcimer. I have have a student interested in knowing.
Thanks for letting me on! On the subject of shopping for another dulcimer, are there any particular features you would suggest that would enhance the celtic style of playing? I know that essentially it is personal preference, but I've not been at this long enough to have that. So some of your personal preference input would be appreciated.
Τhanks for the accept. I have in my musical collection more than 15 years now, beloved music with Moor, S. & W. Coulter, B. & Sh. Phillips, Abrams, Walker, Cleveland, and Regina. With most of them you have collaborated and your music is splendid! Know that you have an admirer in Greece :) Take care Akis
