Blues Musician, Singer-Songwriter &
Guitarist
Neil Sadler's first professional recording was with the UK charting band ‘Sleeping Lions’. The band were signed to CBS, which later became Sony. Neil recorded at Air Studios founded by the legendary George Martin - the Beatles Producer; SARM East - Trevor Horn of The Buggles' studio and Maison Rouge, which was Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull's studios and others before opening his own - 'No Machine Studios'.
Early in Neil's recording career he worked with outstanding Songwriters and Composers such as Guy Fletcher (BASCA) & Doug Flett, Don Black OBE, Leslie David Reed OBE and Tony McCaulay (9 times Ivor Novello Award Winner) and honed his distinct sound and guitar style whilst recording and performing with blues and rock artists such as Larry Miller, Mike Farmer (USA), Dennis Siggery and Malaya Blue.
Past To Present Latest News
Since the album's release it has featured continually in the UK Independent Blues Broadcasters Associations' (IBBA) Chart - reaching No. 1 in June 2024 and achieving No. 1 in the IBBA's Annual Album Chart of 2024
In January 2025, the UK Blues Federation announced that Neil had been nominated for awards in two categories: UK Blues Traditional Artist of The Year and UK Blues Album of the Year for 'Past to Present'. Currently, Neil's album is being played around the world on blues and rock radio shows.
'Past To Present', is available to download via all major music platforms. Many songs on the album are part of the current The Neil Sadler Band live set so please head over to the Events Page for details of forthcoming performances around the UK.
Past To Present Release Info
The Band Are Taking Bookings
They are based in North Devon but with family ties to other parts of the country so they have support wherever they go.
Neil Sadler - Lead Guitarist, Singer-Songwriter and Record Producer who has had a long career in music as a performer and recording artist as well as being the owner of 'No Machine Studios' for thirty years.
Ray Barwell - Drummer, has been in several bands in Guildford and North Devon including Lightyear, The Average Blues Band, Iguana Sunset, Tripswitch, The Buzz and a heavy rock band The Atomic Black.
Kev Langman - Bass Guitarist, has a vast experience of performing in bands in the Midlands and across the Home Counties. Since moving to North Devon in 2011 Kev has worked with a couple of reputable local bands and most recently with Captal.
The Neil Sadler Band formed in its current line-up early 2024. With the backdrop of Neil's Cancer treatment live performances were booked at short notice and kept local to home in North Devon. However, Neil's album Past to Present went to No. 1 in the IBBA Album Chart in June 2024, two weeks after its release and it became clear that touring the album with Neil's band was going to be well received. Neil's first ventures onto the Festival / Blues' Club scene came in the autumn with appearances with his band at Nene Valley Rock Festival, Huddersfield Blues Club and Swanage Blues Festival.
The feedback following these early performances was very positive and the band's tight sound and Neil's songwriting and guitar playing started to gain Neil, Ray and Kev a reputation for their powerful live performances. Encouraged by Past to Present's album success when it became the No.1 most played album of 2024 on UK Indie Blues radio stations and was played on rock radio shows the diary started to fill and by January 2025 there were 35 confirmed bookings with others in the offing.
The Neil Sadler Band's Rise in Popularity
About Past To Present
When Neil was first diagnosed with cancer in July 2023 he was already working on several recording projects of new material but at this time he was in a reflective frame of mind and reimagined past material. This album is a collection of reworked music and lyrics that many will recognise but also some completely new songs - all infused with a contemporary energy. Neil's distinct guitar playing and soundscapes that drew much attention in the past are now woven through this collection of songs - bringing them into the present. This is a rocking blues album that will satisfy ardent blues and rock supporters as well as the curious.
Blues Matters, Apr/May 2023 Issue 131
Critically Acclaimed Guitarist
"2023 was an interesting year. I made my final album with Dennis in February following the release of our album 'Testify'. It received fantastic support from the blues community and in particular from many radio stations around the world that aired our music. The album received a great review in the April / May edition of the Blues Matters magazine. A copy of the write-up is here for you to read - if you are a fan of the blues then check-out this prestigious and influential publication."
Song Listed For Grammy Nomination
A song that Neil co-wrote with Malaya Blue was listed for consideration of a Grammy Nomination! Neil said, "I am really grateful to Steve Yourglivch and Malaya Blue for giving me this opportunity to be involved in a small way."
Coming up next...
"Over the years, I have performed and recorded many songs across many genres. For quite a period during 2023, unreleased solo recordings of mine were played on various blues, rock, rock 'n' roll and folk radio stations at least 2/3 times a day. This inspired me to put together a collection of folk songs for an album and for those that like to follow my music this may be of interest to you. I have an album of Robert Johnson songs coming out, too - this is a reworking of an album that I recorded during lockdown. Just before the original album was mastered, some vocals and bass were re-recorded to feature two members of Blue Touch and consequently the album was released as one of theirs and not mine. Sadly, our musical differences played out at this time, though, we remain good friends. Finally, I am also immensely excited to be putting out my first Neil Sadler album - 'Past To Present', in June 2024."