Known for clever, original lyrics and a surprising variety of music styles, Neal Gladstone has developed an enthusiastic following in Pacific Northwest. Long-time fans return to Gladstone's concerts year after year to join the fun. Gladstone and his six-piece band have produced five CDs of satire, ballads, and rockers on subjects ranging from the joys of oatmeal, to the absurdities of politics, to the intricate battle of the sexes.
No subject, however strange or mundane, escapes his consideration. A thinking person's songwriter, Gladstone surprises his listeners with unexpected rhymes and melodies, and can turn the most ordinary subject into hilarious satire. Gladstone is also known for his weekly radio show, featuring his original music and comedy, that ran on Oregon Public Broadcasting radio, KLCC, and KUOW in Seattle. His music has been featured on NPR's 'All Things Considered' and 'Car Talk.'
Haunting account of the experience of falling asleep. Walks the edge between beautiful and creepy. Rich and compelling melody. Male vocal, piano and rich orchestral strings. “I close my eyes and make my reservation / For passage to and unknown destination.”, Male Vocals, Dangerous Music, Mysterious Music
You know the guy you can’t get rid of? Who won’t take a hint? Darkly humorous, Gladstone’s acerbic wit reveals what it feels like to be unwanted, disrespected, and left out. “Adhesive Steve, the guest who wouldn’t leave” is a character everyone recognizes, feels sorry for, and tries to avoid being. Mixed Vocals, Comedy Music, Comedy Music (pending categorization)
Comfortable country song about simple pleasures, eating Mama’s red beans for dinner. Little boy’s viewpoint. Loving, farm family scene, typical kid drama between siblings, fun, sweet. Snappy electric guitar lead, solo male vocal, female backup vocals, folk guitar. Male Vocals, Comedy Music, Comedy Music (pending categorization)
Male vocal performs a rhythmic a capella vocal braid in sounds, not words. Inspired by Bobby McFerrin. One deep male voice introduces the theme, then one by one male voices layer in contrasting, playful rhythms. A Capella, Dramatic Music, Whimsical Music
Blues style spoof with clever political lyrics. Tough, self-centered canine brags he’s the neighborhood stud, an American Dawg. Male lead, female backup vocals. “The neighborhood ladies, they know what I got. My nose may be cold but my blood is hot.”, Mixed Vocals, Comedy Music, Novelty Songs
Sassy mid-tempo rocker with flirting male and female counterparts. He entices in clever puns, she resists until the end duet. Clean lyrics full of double-entendres. Fun, playful syntheizers, clean but sexy, compelling groove. Male Vocals, Comedy Music, Comedy Music (pending categorization)
Gentle and loving lullaby, female vocal, electric piano and guitar backup, pretty melody, Comforting message: “Sleep sleep, easy and deep...” “Resting in my arms / Not a soul can harm you now.”, Female Vocals, Childrens Music, Lullabies
Love song parody, heart-broken musician grieves over his sad history with inept drummers and imagines ‘The drummer of my dreams. “He won’t be hostile, He won’t take drugs. He won’t drop cigarette butts on my rugs”
’ Male voice and piano. Male Vocals, Comedy Music, Comedy Music (pending categorization)
Delicate, lilting female vocal, in the "style" of Karen Carpenter. Warm and nostalgic remembrance of long ago friendships and longing for renewal. Female Vocals, Comedy Music, Comedy Music (pending categorization)
A young woman falls under the spell of a dark angel in exchange for relief from the pain of heartbreak A bleak psychological journey back from the depths of despair. “The color cooled the pain in me and so I followed willingly deep into her spell.” Female vocal with haunting piano and strings. Female Vocals, Pop Music, Pop Ballads
Silly novelty song about a trip to the landfill with varying vocal styles, starts out with a slight whispering sound, then goes into full vocal mode. Story involves around a minor protest the singer hopes to turn into a major news media event. Musically adventurous, varying instruments and styles. Male Vocals, Comedy Music, Comedy Music (pending categorization)
A pseudo-tragic lament about losing one’s hair by master parodist Neal Gladstone. Confessing his neglect, he begs his vanishing hair to return, promising “if you’ll forgive me and come back to stay, I’ll brush you and stroke you til you’re old and gray.” Hilarious and moving at the same time! Male Vocals, Comedy Music, Comedy Music (pending categorization)
Joyous celebration of life’s wonders. “There are minuets in the moonlight and diamonds in the grass.” Male and female vocals. Folk style guitar and piano. Sweet melody. Optimistic lyrics, inventive arrangement. Catchy tune invites sing-along. Male Vocals, Folk Music, Folk Singer-Songwriter
A swooning love song in praise of the Grapefuit, ‘the perfect golden jewel, succulent and cool wakens to your fond caress’. Sung by master parodist Neal Gladstone with female background vocal harmonies. Clever lyrics add faux reverence to the absurd rhapsody. Male Vocals, Comedy Music, Comedy Music (pending categorization)
Hilarious, tongue-in-cheek Cabaret song warning about the need for "protection". Very much in the style of the famous "Jonathan and Darlene" comedy albums recorded by Jo Stafford and Paul Weston in the 1960s. Female Vocals, Comedy Music, Comedy Music (pending categorization)
A ceremony in itself, this melodic vocal offers a blessing to the celebrating couple as their loved ones “bear witness to your vow.” A mature solo voice with simple accompaniment sings “as you tie your dreams together with a simple band of gold, we wish you all the joy your hearts can hold." Female Vocals, Theme Music, Wedding Themes Music
