Description
Neal Francis – Changes – Vinyl Record
Changes, the debut album by American singer-songwriter and pianist Neal Francis, was released on September 20, 2019, via Karma Chief Records, an imprint of Colemine Records. The album introduced Francis as a deeply soulful and musically mature artist whose sound is rooted in New Orleans funk, Chicago blues, classic soul, and 1970s piano-driven rock—drawing clear influences from legends like Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Billy Preston, and Leon Russell.
At the heart of Changes is a story of personal reinvention. The album’s title refers not just to musical transitions but also to Francis’s real-life journey through addiction, recovery, and self-discovery. Prior to launching his solo career, Neal Francis was a longtime sideman and keyboardist for a variety of blues and funk outfits, including the instrumental band The Heard. His career, however, was derailed by substance abuse, leading to a period of intense personal reckoning. Changes is the product of that experience—a deeply introspective and redemptive album, brimming with gratitude, sorrow, joy, and resolve.
Changes feels timeless. It’s filled with warm, analog textures—wurlitzers, clavinets, vintage synths, tight drum grooves, and punchy horn lines—all recorded live to tape to give the record a classic, organic feel. The production leans heavily into 1970s aesthetics, but Francis’s charisma and songwriting ensure it never feels like pure pastiche. His piano playing is central throughout, whether it’s laying down funky syncopation or providing rich, gospel-tinged backing to his vocals.
The title track “Changes, Pt. 1 & 2” opens the album with a sprawling, hypnotic groove, setting a meditative tone as Francis reflects on the shifts in his life and mindset. “She’s a Winner” channels Curtis Mayfield-style funk and optimism, while “These Are the Days” feels like a sun-drenched walk through a bittersweet memory. One of the emotional high points is “This Time”, where Francis’s voice and piano sit right at the front, raw and vulnerable, offering a message of hope wrapped in heartbreak. The instrumental arrangements are both tight and expressive, often feeling like a natural extension of the emotional tone of the lyrics.
Neal Francis has a warm, slightly weathered tone that serves the songs well—soulful and understated rather than showy. His delivery feels honest, almost conversational, which adds to the confessional, diary-like quality of many of the songs. While his music clearly nods to the past, there’s a sincerity and immediacy in the performances that keep the album feeling fresh and emotionally grounded.
Changes was met with strong praise from both retro-soul aficionados and indie rock fans. It was hailed as a refreshingly analog antidote in a digital age, and for many, it marked the arrival of a major new voice in modern soul and roots music. The album helped launch Francis into the national spotlight, leading to touring slots with acts like Black Pumas, Marcus King, and Turkuaz, and setting the stage for his more expansive and psych-tinged sophomore effort, In Plain Sight (2021).
Changes is not just a musical homage to a golden era—it’s a deeply personal, soul-bearing debut from an artist who has lived the songs he sings. It’s a record full of groove and grit, sorrow and celebration, and it signals the emergence of a singer-songwriter with both a reverence for tradition and a strong, evolving artistic voice of his own.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
This Time
She’s A Winner
How Have I Lived
These Are The Days
Changes, Pts. 1&2
Lauren
Can’t Live Without Your Love
Put It In His Hands
