Back to index of Nerve 12 - Summer 2008

Neil Campbell

By Colin Serjent

Despite holding down a full-time job, as manager of the Creative Performance Arts Campus based at the Cornerstone in Liverpool Hope University, multi-instrumentalist and virtuoso guitarist Neil Campbell is a prolific musician and composer.

Neil has produced and played on eight albums (including a triple set) in the last six years. His latest album is Particle Theory, released earlier this year, which has received favourable reviews, particularly in the USA. He is going to Palermo in Sicily this summer to collaborate with Italian musician Francisco Flore, who specialises in composing what is termed classical ambient music.

“The project the two of us will be working on is called HGW, and is centred around HG Wells,” said Campbell. “It will be an installation project, comprising music and narration.”

Campbell, who has an MA in Music Composition, once teamed up with former Yes frontman Jon Anderson. They are working together again on a large-scale one-hour piece, that Campbell will help compose and produce.

Neil produces his own sounds for Library Music, which is a store of music not available to the public but used for inclusion in television and film productions.

Another new venture is a recording project titled Ghost Stories, in which he will play classical guitar, along with soprano Anne Taft, and Michael Beiert composing electronic soundscapes.

“Although people tend to regard me as a guitarist – be it classical, flamenco or progressive rock – I would rather be considered as a composer.” commented Campbell.

Campbell, born in Liverpool, still finds time to play at local community events, such as Nerve gigs, and exhibition private views.

All his recordings are only available on the Internet. Go to www.sonicarecordings.com for information on how to download Campbell’s music. Sonica Recordings are a Liverpool-based set up.