Funk Brothers Music

"Over Africa" is a stunning opener. The guitar riffs and rhythm really gets you off your feet. The covers of "If I had a Hammer" and Richard Thompson's "Dimming of the Day" are well done, too. Wyclef Jean's addition on "The Dealer" is great--and the lyrics are definitely ones you would want to listen to again and again.

Not my favorite Neville Brothers CD, but a solid addition to my collection.

The Neville Brothers deliver a blend of funk, rock, folk and soul on "Valence Street". There are two absolutely outstanding songs - the first two. "Over Africa" opens with a wicked guitar lick, then accordion, vocal and drums, finally, the whole band at the end of the first verse. What a perfect knockout song! Also perfect, in a mellower way is "Utterly Beloved", in the tradition of pretty, harmonic, 70s soul. Very, very tasty. Every other song is enjoyable (some more than others), but none are as great as the first two. The best of the other songs are "Until We Meet Again", "The Dealer", "Dimming of the Day" (written by British folk-rocker Richard Thompson), "Give Me A Reason" (Aaron's only really strong showing on the album) and "Tears". There is a little too much luke-warm "comfortable cruising" in some of the cuts to merit the distinction of a 5-star rating, but there is good, sweet funkiness throughout, and interesting lyrics sung with warmth and laced with occasional humor. Overall, a very successful effort by the fantastically talented "funky four".

While not possessing quite the borderline-religious-experience, funky-to-the-bone hysteria of the Nevilles' live shows (especially those old two-set Mardi Gras marathons at Tipitina's), this is probably the Brothers' best studio record since Yellow Moon. It has a nice balance, showcasing the diverse talents of all four Neville Brothers (Art, Charles, Aaron, and Cyril), and the sound is uncluttered and with emphasis on the vocals. The ballads ("Dimming of the Day", "Utterly Beloved") are lovely, and the New Orleans-Caribbean version of "If I Had a Hammer" is a highlight, as is that Uptown New Orleans party entitled "Real Funk." Still, an added spice of Cyril's congas and percussion here and there, and perhaps an acapella-harmony "Indian Red" (as I have heard them do live) might have elevated the record to a masterpiece. As it stands, it's merely pretty damned good.

Recently the Neville Brothers were in Omaha for a concert. We enjoyed hearing some of the Valance Street CD. I have listened to Valence Street at least six times since it was purchased. The lyrics combine nature, life and human emotions, and add the Neville Brother twist. My favorite tunes are Utterly Beloved, Mona Lisa, Little Piece of Heaven, Until we meet again, Over Africa in that order. I love listening to the combination of instruments enriched with the hypnotic voices of Aaron, Cyril and Charles. Thank you Amelia and Arthur L. Neville, Sr.

"Over Africa" is a stunning opener. The guitar riffs and rhythm really gets you off your feet. The covers of "If I had a Hammer" and Richard Thompson's "Dimming of the Day" are well done, too. Wyclef Jean's addition on "The Dealer" is great--and the lyrics are definitely ones you would want to listen to again and again.

Not my favorite Neville Brothers CD, but a solid addition to my collection.

The Neville Brothers deliver a blend of funk, rock, folk and soul on "Valence Street". There are two absolutely outstanding songs - the first two. "Over Africa" opens with a wicked guitar lick, then accordion, vocal and drums, finally, the whole band at the end of the first verse. What a perfect knockout song! Also perfect, in a mellower way is "Utterly Beloved", in the tradition of pretty, harmonic, 70s soul. Very, very tasty. Every other song is enjoyable (some more than others), but none are as great as the first two. The best of the other songs are "Until We Meet Again", "The Dealer", "Dimming of the Day" (written by British folk-rocker Richard Thompson), "Give Me A Reason" (Aaron's only really strong showing on the album) and "Tears". There is a little too much luke-warm "comfortable cruising" in some of the cuts to merit the distinction of a 5-star rating, but there is good, sweet funkiness throughout, and interesting lyrics sung with warmth and laced with occasional humor. Overall, a very successful effort by the fantastically talented "funky four".

While not possessing quite the borderline-religious-experience, funky-to-the-bone hysteria of the Nevilles' live shows (especially those old two-set Mardi Gras marathons at Tipitina's), this is probably the Brothers' best studio record since Yellow Moon. It has a nice balance, showcasing the diverse talents of all four Neville Brothers (Art, Charles, Aaron, and Cyril), and the sound is uncluttered and with emphasis on the vocals. The ballads ("Dimming of the Day", "Utterly Beloved") are lovely, and the New Orleans-Caribbean version of "If I Had a Hammer" is a highlight, as is that Uptown New Orleans party entitled "Real Funk." Still, an added spice of Cyril's congas and percussion here and there, and perhaps an acapella-harmony "Indian Red" (as I have heard them do live) might have elevated the record to a masterpiece. As it stands, it's merely pretty damned good.

Recently the Neville Brothers were in Omaha for a concert. We enjoyed hearing some of the Valance Street CD. I have listened to Valence Street at least six times since it was purchased. The lyrics combine nature, life and human emotions, and add the Neville Brother twist. My favorite tunes are Utterly Beloved, Mona Lisa, Little Piece of Heaven, Until we meet again, Over Africa in that order. I love listening to the combination of instruments enriched with the hypnotic voices of Aaron, Cyril and Charles. Thank you Amelia and Arthur L. Neville, Sr.

AAron Neville is my favoite but his brothers are right behind. If you want to hear the best singers ever you should listen to them!!!!!!!!

this disc contains a great selection of the Neville Brothers music.they are very well rounded in different styles and yet they have there own thing.a must have.

A little rock, a little soul, a little gospel. The Neville Brother mix it all together with a dash of Louisiana spice to create a distinctive sound. From the up-on-your-feet opening track, "Dancing Jones," to the jazzy "Fever" and the haunting Aaron Neville rendition of "Amazing Grace," this CD is a solid, funky mix of genres that will remind listeners why these guys are the masters of their universe. "The Very Best of the Neville Brothers" is just that - the best by the best.

AAron Neville is my favoite but his brothers are right behind. If you want to hear the best singers ever you should listen to them!!!!!!!!

this disc contains a great selection of the Neville Brothers music.they are very well rounded in different styles and yet they have there own thing.a must have.

A little rock, a little soul, a little gospel. The Neville Brother mix it all together with a dash of Louisiana spice to create a distinctive sound. From the up-on-your-feet opening track, "Dancing Jones," to the jazzy "Fever" and the haunting Aaron Neville rendition of "Amazing Grace," this CD is a solid, funky mix of genres that will remind listeners why these guys are the masters of their universe. "The Very Best of the Neville Brothers" is just that - the best by the best.

This japanese release does not have "Down in the Hole" or "Brothers" on it. I'm somewhat annoyed by this as I bought this expensive release to get my hands on a studio version of "Down in the Hole", which is a Tom Waits cover and the awesome opening theme song to the third season of The Wire. The version of Ave Maria, the bonus track, does not justify the expense of this import versus the domestic release, in my opinion.

what is this album?
is it Neville Brothers?
is it a try of a music fusion?
is it a try to show the variety af Neville's possibilities?
it's definitely not like Neville's albums before.
Some songs are great (Ball of confusion) others are strange.
Keep your mind open and try to find your own valuation.

May be it leads younger people to the Neville's - that's good!

The Neville brothers together and individually have been making music in New Orleans and around the world for nearly 50 years. Their better known incarnations include The Meters which had only two of the brothers, The Wild Tchoupitoulas which was a brief single LP with all four of them, and under their own name probably best known for the hit "Fiyo on the Bayou" or "Hey Pocky-a-Way".

This new record represents a true culmanation of the talent of the Nevilles - not just the four brothers but several offspring that join in to help imploy some modern recording techniques and greatly improve the end result. The songs are strong, personal and socially aware. They are varied yet very cohesive - pure New Orleans R&B / Funk.

I hope the Grammy people don't get too consumed with the current trend to synthetic grooves, and still have time to appreciate and honor some of the masters of the organic traditions.

Bought this with no preview at all, I figured a newer Nevilles has to be fine, right? Wrong. I gave this two stars instead of one because I have loved the Nevilles for 30 years and danced to them at Tipitinas after the big parade at Mardi Gras in '78, so out of respect I have to give it a two. This album does not SOUND like the Nevilles, despite their signature Nawlins funk tunes and vocals. Their sound has beed hijacked by producer Milton Davis and replaced with extremely harsh and synthetic sounds that are impossibly grating to the ear. Even a nice organic pop of the snare drum is nowhere to be found, because the drums have been processed to sound like a tinny drum machine. Maybe I just don't get it and they wanted to be edgy on this album but - song after song - there's NOTHING that reminds me of the Nevilles I love, not until track 12 (Brothers). Harsh intruding synthesizers, trebly artificial percussion... no fun. I'm selling mine on eBay, not bothering to rip the tracks.

Get Valence Street if you want a fantastic recent Nevilles album (track 1 "Over Africa" is simply amazing), and you must own Brother's Keeper and my #1 favorite recording overall, Yellow Moon. Heck, I can't think of a single Nevilles album that I don't love - except this one. God bless the Nevilles....

I just heard the cut, "Junkie Child" on the radio station WWOZ. (For those out of town, you can listen to great New Orleans Jazz @ www.wwoz.org) This song has a very nice twist with a local rapper turned big, BG. Also features Trombone Shorty who is absolutely incredible in person. The Neville Brothers will be touring all over the world coming up very soon. New Orleans is an incredible place. If you like this band, try Rebirth Brass Band, or Kermit Ruffins.

I saw them a few weeks ago in Tahoe, I have to say, this album is hot, but hearing them perform live, unreal. To experience musicians now, who sound better in person than on the cd, are few and far between. Great cd, songs with heart and originality. Love it.

what is this album?
is it Neville Brothers?
is it a try of a music fusion?
is it a try to show the variety af Neville's possibilities?
it's definitely not like Neville's albums before.
Some songs are great (Ball of confusion) others are strange.
Keep your mind open and try to find your own valuation.

May be it leads younger people to the Neville's - that's good!

The Neville brothers together and individually have been making music in New Orleans and around the world for nearly 50 years. Their better known incarnations include The Meters which had only two of the brothers, The Wild Tchoupitoulas which was a brief single LP with all four of them, and under their own name probably best known for the hit "Fiyo on the Bayou" or "Hey Pocky-a-Way".

This new record represents a true culmanation of the talent of the Nevilles - not just the four brothers but several offspring that join in to help imploy some modern recording techniques and greatly improve the end result. The songs are strong, personal and socially aware. They are varied yet very cohesive - pure New Orleans R&B / Funk.

I hope the Grammy people don't get too consumed with the current trend to synthetic grooves, and still have time to appreciate and honor some of the masters of the organic traditions.

Bought this with no preview at all, I figured a newer Nevilles has to be fine, right? Wrong. I gave this two stars instead of one because I have loved the Nevilles for 30 years and danced to them at Tipitinas after the big parade at Mardi Gras in '78, so out of respect I have to give it a two. This album does not SOUND like the Nevilles, despite their signature Nawlins funk tunes and vocals. Their sound has beed hijacked by producer Milton Davis and replaced with extremely harsh and synthetic sounds that are impossibly grating to the ear. Even a nice organic pop of the snare drum is nowhere to be found, because the drums have been processed to sound like a tinny drum machine. Maybe I just don't get it and they wanted to be edgy on this album but - song after song - there's NOTHING that reminds me of the Nevilles I love, not until track 12 (Brothers). Harsh intruding synthesizers, trebly artificial percussion... no fun. I'm selling mine on eBay, not bothering to rip the tracks.

Get Valence Street if you want a fantastic recent Nevilles album (track 1 "Over Africa" is simply amazing), and you must own Brother's Keeper and my #1 favorite recording overall, Yellow Moon. Heck, I can't think of a single Nevilles album that I don't love - except this one. God bless the Nevilles....

I just heard the cut, "Junkie Child" on the radio station WWOZ. (For those out of town, you can listen to great New Orleans Jazz @ www.wwoz.org) This song has a very nice twist with a local rapper turned big, BG. Also features Trombone Shorty who is absolutely incredible in person. The Neville Brothers will be touring all over the world coming up very soon. New Orleans is an incredible place. If you like this band, try Rebirth Brass Band, or Kermit Ruffins.

I saw them a few weeks ago in Tahoe, I have to say, this album is hot, but hearing them perform live, unreal. To experience musicians now, who sound better in person than on the cd, are few and far between. Great cd, songs with heart and originality. Love it.

The Wants List Vol.2 is collection of rare grooves from the UK. According to the record label the album contains songs that were rediscovered in the UK Rare Grove scene from the mid 80's and later.
The tracks on the album cover the period from the early 70-ies to the early 90-ies. This means that the music will sound familiar to people who have been into soul music for a long time. Although the music might be familiar there are tracks on the album that people outside of the UK might never have heard of. This makes the "The Wants List Vol.2" a very special album. Ofcourse there are names on the album that we all know e.g. Isaac Hayes, Lou Rawls, Barbara Mason, Leon Haywood, Denise LaSalle and G.C.Cameron.

But did you know Kellee Patterson's version of Barry White's hit "I'm gonna love you just a little bit more"? And what to say about the sexy voice of Michelle Wiley in "I feel so at home here"? The ladies on this album are sensual singers. Sensual and almost erotic as well is Isaac Hayes' "A Few More Kisses", while with Leon Haywood "It's Got To Be Mellow". The contribution of G.C. Cameron might remind you of Al Green who was hot too in the 70-ies. You can also hear that The Four Flights are from the same generation as the O'Jays and that Sly, Slick & Wicked loved the Chi-lites. One of the hottest soulladies on this album is Jeanie Reynolds when she screams it out in "Unwanted Company".(TA)

Stand Out Tracks: Live For Love, I Feel So At Home Here, Unwanted Company, Let Me Be Your Pacifier, Heaven, It Comes To My Attention, When We're Making Love