Aaron Neville
@ the Barbican Centre
7 November 2011

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Biography../../soul_other/index.php

Having one of the most evocative and recognisable voices in American music, Aaron Neville is an international ambassador of New Orleans R&B, though his soaring falsetto sounds at home in many styles. Coming of age in the incredibly creative 1950s Crescent City R&B scene.

Neville gained national attention with the Wild Tchoupitoulas, a touring Mardi Gras celebration that led to the creation of the Neville Brothers band — an institution that would confirm Neville’s iconic status. Over his multiple Grammy-winning solo career.

Neville has scored a string of hits including 1966’s #1 hit “Tell It Like It Is,” memorable duets with Linda Ronstadt including “Don't Know Much” and a hugely popular cover of Main Ingredient’s “Everybody Plays the Fool.”

Neville has most recently returned to gospel music with I Know I’ve Been Changed, celebrating his 50th year in recorded music. For Aaron Neville the solo artist, there is an equally intimate connection between his music and the faith that has sustained him for his entire life. Aaron Neville captures that spirit in concert, reflecting on the hope of this hometown, drawing hope from his faith and spreading hope through his music.

Over the past five decades, the indelible spirit of New Orleans has been synonymous with the musical dynasty known as the Neville Brothers. For Aaron Neville the solo artist, there is an equally intimate connection between his music and the faith that has sustained him for his entire life. Through challenge and tragedy, he’s managed to thrive, protecting both his heart and his voice. Ask him how and he says simply this: “He who sings once, prays twice.”

“My Momma, Amelia Landry Neville, always taught the golden rule to us---to treat others as we would like to be treated,” he shares. “One of her favourite sayings was this: ‘I’ll only pass this way once. Therefore any goodness or kindness I can show let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

That perspective served him well in the months after Hurricane Katrina. “Right after the storm we’d go places to perform and run into displaced people from New Orleans everywhere,” Neville reflects. “So when we go sing we’re singing for them and letting them know they’re not by themselves. There’s hope.”

The spirit of New Orleans is marked by an undying hope. On this project Aaron Neville captures that spirit---reflecting the hope of his hometown, drawing hope from his faith, spreading hope through his music.