This being my first blog entry, I thought I would write about an author whose work I really enjoy.  For those of you who have not experienced the prose of Neil Gaiman, you have truly missed out on one of the literary greats.  Known primarily for writing the 75-issue series The Sandman for DC Comics, Gaiman was responsible for crafting the stories of the Endless, that preternatural family which consisted of Dream, Death, Delirium, Destiny, Desire, Despair, and Destruction.  Other writers have examined Gaiman's work on The Sandman, so I won't bore you with my dissertation on the subject.

Gaiman has of course written other bodies of work, some in comic book format, and others as novels, most notably American Gods and Neverwhere, which was also a BBC television mini-series.

Gaiman's work always features the fantastic, which is one reason I find him so enjoyable to read.

The latest body of work featuring his name was in a new genre, that of music.  I was recently given the CD Where's Neil When You Need Him?, which had Neil Gaiman listed as the artist.  As the liner notes explained, Gaiman wasn't directly involved in the album's production, but his writings were, if in an indirect manner.  You see, Where's Neil When You Need Him? is a very nice music compilation featuring various artists' interpretation of some of Gaiman's stories as songs.

The producer was concerned the album would be lost in the sea of compilation of albums falling under the various artists heading, so he decided to put Gaiman's name in as the artist, to help consumers find it more easily.

Seventeen artists lent their talent, including Hungry Lucy, ThouShaltNot, and Tori Amos.  For good measure, Gaiman offers a few words about each artist in the liner notes.

The CD Where's Neil When You Need Him? was a great release, and I for one am looking forward to rereading his books while this CD is merrily spinning on the CD player.