Ohio-based Karma Chief Records (a subsidiary of rising soul label Colemine Records) released his debut LP "Changes" in September 2019. It provides connection between Francis’s childhood—his obsession with boogie woogie piano, his father’s gift of a dusty Dr. John LP—and the songs he’s created. The influences are the vocal stylings of Allen Toussaint and Leon Russell; the second line rhythms of The Meters and Dr. John; the barroom rock ‘n’ roll of The Rolling Stones; the gospel soul of Billy Preston; the roots music of The Band.
The piano prodigy found himself touring Europe by the age of 18 with Muddy Waters’ son and backing up other prominent blues artists coast-to-coast. In 2012, Francis joined popular instrumental funk band The Heard. With Francis at the creative helm, The Heard transformed into a national act, touring with boogaloo progenitors The New Mastersounds and chart toppers The Revivalists and appearing at Jazz Fest and Bear Creek. As The Heard’s star rose, however, Francis sunk deeper into addiction. Once a promising sideman, by 2015 he had been fired from his band, evicted from his apartment, and was perilously close to self-destruction. “When you get close to death like that you can feel it,” Francis recalls. An alcohol-induced seizure that year led to a broken femur, dislocated arm, and, finally, the realization that he needed to get clean.
The journey from a hospital bed to launching his solo career was neither predictable nor straightforward. There were musical fits and starts, relapses, and broken relationships. Yet the overwhelming passion driving Francis in this second act has been an abundance of creative energy. “Drinking held my music in a half-cocked slingshot. I was always so consumed by drugs and alcohol that I didn’t have the time, money, or creative energy to do it. Sobriety let it loose.”
Determined to realize the songs swirling in his head, Francis assembled a crack team of musicians, calling on bassist Mike Starr (The Heard) and drummer PJ Howard (The Revivalists, The Heard). He linked up with producer and analog-obsessive Sergio Rios (Orgone, Cee Lo Green, Alicia Keys) and self-funded a trip to Killion Sound in Los Angeles to record the initial batch of material. “I learned to trust my instincts in that room,” says Francis. Buoyed by classic horn arrangements and Rios’ fierce guitar work, the resulting tracks illuminate a lifetime spent studying the masters of rock and soul music.
From the RMI electra-piano riff that kicks off “She’s A Winner” to the screaming organ swells of “This Time,” Francis and company let it all hang out. This is fun music, dance music. Yet verse after verse and chorus after chorus, Francis wrestles with his past in a straightforward manner: “It’s 5 o’clock in the morning, but I’m not home/ I’m surrounded by people, but I’m really alone.” Like Toussaint and Russell before him he’s married the upbeat rhythms of New Orleans R&B with the lyrical approach of a confessional singer/songwriter. The refrain on “This Time” serves as a foxhole prayer for a better future: “Let me get it this time/I won’t let you down/Let me get it this time/I won’t fool around.”
Francis finished recording basic tracks for Changes in Los Angeles in February of 2018 and spent the following months doing overdubs in Chicago with engineer Mike Novak (who also recorded demos for the project). Soon after he was eager to begin his touring career. After signing with Paradigm Talent Agency, Neal played shows across North American supporting Australian band The Cat Empire. He has received praise on several notable radio outlets including KEXP, KCRW’s The Morning Becomes Eclectic, and BBC Radio 6. Francis and his four-piece band recently performed during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, sharing the stage with The Meters and other legends. In 2019 alone he hit the road with Black Pumas, Steel Pulse, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Dumpstaphunk and others. Francis pledges to tour relentlessly to promote his own music. “I’m doing this to fulfill a drive within myself, but also to pay tribute to the gifts I’ve been given. And it comes from a place of immense gratitude."
This Time
Neal Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won′t let you down
Let me get it this time, lord
I won't fool around
I know you′ve seen me trying
And only causing pain
But i've got one more in me, lord
Give me one last chance to turn this thing around
It ain't gonna be
Like the last time
Or the time before that
I′ll be a good man
Can you picture that
Let me get it this time
I don′t need a plan
Let me get it this time, lord
Now i understand
I've been out there running
Trying to play the game
Every time i think i get it, lord
Things just stay the same
But now i′ve got my feet back on the ground
It ain't gonna be
Like the last time
Or the time before that
I′ll be a good man
Can you picture that
In Neal Francis's song This Time, the lyrics depict a person asking for a second chance to get things right. The refrain 'let me get it this time' is repeated throughout, reflecting the singer's desire to make a change and not make the same mistakes again. The opening lines 'I won't let you down, I won't fool around' set the tone for this desire for self-improvement. The singer acknowledges that they have caused pain in the past, but they haven't given up and ask for one last chance to turn things around.
The singer goes on to talk about their struggles in trying to change and become a better person. They have been running, trying to play the game, but every time they think they have got it, things just stay the same. However, in the final lines, the singer is more confident in their ability to be a good person, stating 'I'll be a good man, can you picture that?' They have their 'feet back on the ground' and are ready to make a change, promising that it won't be like the last time or the time before that. The use of the repeated refrain and the gradual building up of confidence throughout the song create a sense of hope and determination in the singer, despite their previous failures.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me get it this time
Requesting for an opportunity to prove oneself
I won’t let you down
Expressing confidence that they will not fail this time
Let me get it this time, lord
Appealing to a higher power for support and guidance
I won't fool around
Promising to take the task seriously and not waste time
I know you've seen me trying
Acknowledging past efforts and attempts
And only causing pain
Regretting the hurt that may have been caused
But I've got one more in me, lord
Retaining hope and determination despite past failures
To try and break the chain
Attempting to change a pattern of behavior or outcome
Give me one last chance to turn this thing around
Asking for an opportunity to improve and succeed
It ain't gonna be
Expressing certainty that the outcome will be different this time
Like the last time
Comparing with past experiences and outcomes
Or the time before that
Acknowledging multiple past attempts with similar results
I'll be a good man
Promising to behave in a positive and responsible manner
Can you picture that
Challenging the listener to imagine a positive future outcome
I don't need a plan
Believing that current preparation and mindset are sufficient
Now I understand
Recognizing and learning from past mistakes
I've been out there running
Describing past actions and attempts at success
Trying to play the game
Attempting to navigate and succeed in a challenging situation
Every time I think I get it, lord
Acknowledging a repeated pattern of setbacks and failures
Things just stay the same
Expressing frustration with the lack of progress or change
But now I've got my feet back on the ground
Feeling grounded and focused on the present moment after past struggles
Writer(s): Neal Ohara
Contributed by Stella E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
M. W.
These guys have such a variety of sound... Originally i thought they were a 70's band....
Smoke a bowl and it gets even better !!
Colemine Records
hell yea!
F3stival Girl
FANTASTIC... Cannot wait to hear this album - will become an instant fav if it's all this good, I love this so much <3
Sir Psycho Sexy 213
Daammnn!! This tune is funky af!! Can't wait to hear more of this talented person! Keep that Funk/Soul alive my man!!
Neal Francis
Cheers! New record drops 9/20/19!
Sir Psycho Sexy 213
@Neal Francis my man!! You just made my day!!! Can't wait to cop that bad boy! Keep up the great work👍👍
Neal Francis
@Sir Psycho Sexy 213 Ha glad to help :) Will do!
David Mackay
Makes this sound effortless... yet so deep, darn funky 😍
Ben Gerrard
Song of the year for me. This is some serious groove. Pre order done.
RC
Fo'real