Aaron Neville

Good memoir from Aaron Neville telling his life story it like it is and what a life it’s been! The man has come a long way from his humble upbringing in New Orleans with both a Native and African American family ties. Music was the way out for him and his brothers who formed a band early on with some successes. The challenges of the music industry where the record companies make the millions and the musicians especially those of color are left with pennies. No wonder so many turned to show more drugs and Aaron soon became a heroin addict. Aaron shares the successes of the Neville brothers and how they travelled the world playing their awesome music, however he complained about how the Record companies didn’t know how to position and market them so they didn’t make the big money with record deals. He started a solo career which shot to fame when he partnered with Linda Ronstadt and they won an Emmy for the duet I don’t know much. The next year they won an Emmy again for All my life. He covers the latter events in his life including the loss of his wife and long time partner, the loss of all his possessions due to hurricane Katrina and marriage to his second second wife. Aaron and the Neville brothers have been part of the soundtrack of my life and reading his memoir made me appreciate him and his music so much more. He is nothing less than and American music legend and he deserves every award and the successes he has achieved. I listened to the audiobook which was read by Aaron, making it all the more personal. show less

The soul singer's first hit solo album.

2.5/4 (Okay).

It has a few bad tracks, but most are good. It's a lot better than the (more acclaimed) Neville Brothers albums of the era.

Hard to believe this big scary looking guy has a voice so pure and sweet.

1 Louisiana 1927
Arranged By – Van Dyke Parks
Choir – Arnold McCuller, Donny Gerrard, Linda Ronstadt, Renee Armand*, Rita Coolidge, Rosemary Butler, Willie Greene Jr.
Written-By – Randy Newman
3:04
2 Everybody Plays The Fool
Backing Vocals – Aaron Neville, Arnold McCuller
Drums, Programmed By – Russel Kunkel*
Guitar – David Lindley
Whistling – Linda Ronstadt
Written-By – George Massenburg, Linda Ronstadt, Russell Kunkel*
4:25
3 It Feels Like Rain
Backing Vocals – Arnold McCuller, Bobby show more King, Donny Gerrard, Willie Greene Jr.
Guitar, Slide Guitar – Ry Cooder
Written-By – John Hiatt
4:56
4 Somewhere, Somebody
Backing Vocals – Arnold McCuller, Renee Armand*, Rita Coolidge, Rosemary Butler, Valerie Carter
Guitar – Dean Parks
Organ [Hammond B-3] – Robbie Buchanan
Written-By – Andrew Kastner, Larry McNally*, Max Gronenthal
3:01
5 Don't Go Please Stay
Backing Vocals – Linda Ronstadt, Renee Armand*
Written-By – Burt Bacharach/Bob Hilliard*
2:40
6 With You In Mind
Backing Vocals – Rita Coolidge, Rosemary Butler, Valerie Carter
Lead Guitar – Larry Carlton
Written-By – Allen Toussaint
3:32
7 That's The Way She Loves
Backing Vocals – Renee Armand*, Rosemary Butler, Valerie Carter
Bass – Jimmy Johnson (5)
Tenor Saxophone – Plas Johnson
Written-By – Allen Toussaint
4:45
8 Angola Bound
Congas – Cyril Neville
Percussion, Backing Vocals – Bob Seger
Piano, Percussion – Dr. John
Rap – Jason Neville
Written-By – Aaron Neville, Charles Neville
4:32
9 Close Your Eyes
Tenor Saxophone – Plas Johnson
Vocals [Duet] – Linda Ronstadt
Written-By – Chuck Willis
3:10
10 La Vie Dansante
Backing Vocals – Rita Coolidge, Rosemary Butler, Valerie Carter
Guitar, Mandolin – Dean Parks
Vocals [Duet] – Rita Coolidge
Written-By – Jimmy Buffett, Michael Utley, Will Jennings
3:21
11 Warm Your Heart
Backing Vocals – Arnold McCuller, Bobby King, Donny Gerrard, Willie Greene Jr.
Bass – Daryl Johnson
Drums – Willie Green (2)
Piano – Dr. John
Written-By – Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd
3:49
12 I Bid You Goodnight
Arranged By – Aaron Neville, Linda Ronstadt
Backing Vocals – Arnold McCuller, Bobby King, Donny Gerrard, Willie Greene Jr.
Drums – Jim Keltner
Guitar – Ry Cooder
Written-By [Traditional Bahamian Gospel Song] – Traditional
4:00
13 Ave Maria
Arranged By – Linda Ronstadt
Arranged By [Choral Arrangement], Conductor – David Campbell
Soprano Vocals – Linda Ronstadt
4:41
14 House On A Hill
Bass – Nick Daniels
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Ivan Neville
Written-By – Aaron Neville

Credits:
Bass – Bob Glaub (tracks: 3 to 5, 8), Tony Hall (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 10)
Drums – Carlos Vega (tracks: 1, 3, 5 to 10, 14)
Guitar – Brian Stoltz (tracks: 1, 3, 5 to 11)
Mastered By – Doug Sax show less