The Neville Brothers: Gold

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The Neville Brothers: Gold (2-CD Set, Remastered)
The Neville Brothers

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS

Everybody has a group or singer that puts them in a certain exotic mood that transports them somewhere that's mysterious, erotic, and soulful -- and makes their body move of its own volition.

For us, that group -- first and foremost -- is the Neville Brothers. Yes, New Orleans beats the heart of jazz (and hopefully its pulse is returning). But the Neville Brothers have been bringing together the blues, jazz, Creole and Cajun influences of the Crescent City for years, in a style that is one of a kind.

We saw them once appear at an annual "tomato festival" in the French Quarter about 15 years ago or so. It was a hot sultry New Orleans night. Most of the people in attendance appeared to be locals and not tourists. The crowd was just something akin to a large neighborhood festival. All you can say was that it was intoxicating, even without any Southern Comfort. Just the most sensual, seductive dance music under a "yellow moon" in a city of raffish wonders.

So we are a little bit biased about the Neville Brothers.

One of America's great musical treasures.

An Online Reviewer Writes of This Collection of the Incomparable Neville Brothers:

"As I write this, it's the evening of Fat Tuesday. A scaled-down Mardi Gras celebration in a city ravished by hurricanes attempts to add a sense of what passes for normalcy these days in the Crescent City. There are a number of acts closely identified with New Orleans: Huey "Piano" Smith, Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Dr. John. But one of the pillars of New Orleans R&B are the Neville Brothers. And this 2-disc compilation covers five decades of their history from the Art Neville-led Hawketts' 1954 hit "Mardi Gras Mambo" through 2004's "Walkin' in the Shadow of Life" (from the album of the same name).

Across 32 tracks, this collection hits all the right notes. There's Aaron's first hit from 1960 "Over You," as well as his signature song, "Tell It Like It Is." As the Meters, Art had an instrumental hit with "Cissy Strut" in 1969 and "Look-Ka Py Py" in 1970. As The Wild Tchoupitoulas, they record "Brother John in 1976. It wasn't until 1977 that they recorded as The Neville Brothers, including "Brother John" and "Washable Ink" from their eponymous debut. Perhaps their best album was FIYO ON THE BAYOU. Four tracks are included from this landmark recording: "Sitting in Limbo," "Mona Lisa (Dedicated to Bette Middler)," "Fire on the Bayou" and "Hey Pocky Way." [This album impressed the Rolling Stones enough to have The Neville Brothers as the opening act for several shows during their 1982 US tour.]

The collection finishes with highlights from YELLOW (1989), BROTHER'S KEEPER (1990), FAMILY GROOVE (1992) and LIVE ON PLANET EARTH (1994), including a sizzling live version of "Voodoo." All told, this is two hours of the best of The Neville Brothers, who represent the heart and soul of New Orleans. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

The two-disc set includes the following songs:

Disc: 1
1. Mardi Gras Mambo
2. Cha Dooky-Do
3. Over You
4. All These Things
5. Tell It Like It Is
6. Where Is My Baby
7. Cissy Strut
8. Look-Ka Py Py
9. Hercules
10. They All Ask'd For You

Disc: 2
1. Hey Pocky Way
2. Fear, Hate, Envy, Jealousy
3. Yellow Moon
4. A Change Is Gonna Come
5. Sister Rosa
6. With God On Our Side
7. River Of Life
8. Brother Blood
9. Fly Like An Eagle
10. On The Other Side Of Paradise

If you haven't experienced the Neville Brothers, invite some friends over, set out some drinks and open up a dance floor.

And Aaron Neville, that man can also do a romantic ballad that will stir your soul like a hot French kiss.