The Neville Brothers
Walkin’ in the
Shadow of Life
Back Porch Records
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also available on amazon
This new disc from the Brothers’ Neville might be more aptly called a Neville family disc. As well as the brothers Art, Aaron, Cyril, and Charles; we have Aaron’s son Ivan and Art’s son Ian (surprising if the two weren’t singing back up too). This disc herald’s the band’s return from a hiatus of 5 years from recording, though they did tour. This might be one of the best discs they have done. The songs, 11 of the 13 are either written or co-written by them. One that isn’t, is the disc’s first single, the Temptations’ classic, “Ball of Confusion” which contains a very strong and personal message from the band. “The lyrics speak to the entire human race – we all need to do our individual parts to make this world a better place to live in. If we don’t start making changes… We’re going to be stuck in a world that is just that… a Ball of Confusion…,” said
Aaron Neville. Another highlight from the disc is the tune written by Cyril Neville and Bono of U2, “Kingdom Come”.
This is the first family doing the funk that seems to flow in their veins. It is in the way the walk and talk; the lives they live; their very breathing seems to be in funk time. This is a disc we have been waiting a long time for. The personal lyrics take us inside and let us feel the funk that pervades the family and all of New Orleans, its just that they express it best because they live it.