Although
Aaron Neville is often compared to singer
Sam Cooke in terms of sheer vocal refinement, he has a voice and style uniquely his own. He is well known as part of the New Orleans sound of
the Neville Brothers. Yet, aside from the 1967 number one
R&B hit "Tell It Like It Is," few have heard his incredible early solo recordings.
Many of the first recordings of
Neville, in the early and mid-'60s, were arranged, produced, and often written by the brilliant
Allen Toussaint -- another talent only later being really appreciated. Most of these sides were cut for the Minit and, later, Parlo labels. Songs like "She Took You for a Ride" and "You Think You're So Smart" on Parlo are masterpieces. While his more recent work, including that with
Linda Ronstadt, makes for pleasant listening, it lacks the sheer persuasion of his early songs.
Neville has re-recorded his early work often, and it is important to hear the originals. The early sides are just waiting to be heard.
Neville has ventured more into other waters besides
R&B -- 1993's
The Grand Tour included a remake of a
George Jones song that got
Neville a little
country attention, and he announced plans in 1994 to do a complete
country album. He was also one of several
R&B artists who teamed with
country stars for the Rhythm Country and Blues session.
Neville was paired with
Trisha Yearwood, and the duo also performed together in a benefit concert for the LP held in Los Angeles in April 1994. The LP made history by debuting in the Top Ten on the pop,
R&B, and
country charts. Tattooed Heart appeared in 1995 and To Make Me Who I Am in 1997 on A&M Records. Increasingly,
Neville was drawn to his
gospel roots, and the influence of the genre shows in his solo projects.
Devotion and
Believe were released in 2000 and 2003, respectively, by Tellit Records.
Nature Boy: The Standards Album came out on Verve in 2002 and the holiday album Christmas Prayer was issued by EMI Gospel in 2005.
Neville kicked off the next year by singing the national anthem at Super Bowl XL, followed by the release of Mojo Soul, a collection of some of his singles from the late '60s and early '70s with producers Marshall Sehorn and
Allen Toussaint, and
Bring It on Home...The Soul Classics, which featured guests
Chaka Khan and
Mavis Staples, among others. ~ Michael Erlewine & Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
