The third youngest of the famous Neville brothers - Art and Charles are older, Cyril younger, Aaron was born into one of New Orleans' most celebrated families. His first influence was Art. "I never heard a better singer or funkier keyboardist than my big brother," says Aaron. "Brother Charles," he continues, "was the family jazzman. He blew sax and schooled me in the ways of improvisation. Brother Cyril was our James Brown. He was-and still is a great singer. He burns with soul."
Aaron though was the first Neville to burn his way up the national charts. In early 1966, he recorded and released the original version of Tell It Like It Is from his eponymous album on Par-Lo Records. In November 1966, the track was issued as a single which peaked in early 1967 at no.1 on the US R&B chart and no.2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Unfortunately Par-Lo went broke before Aaron got paid. On the strength of the single though, Neville toured nationally and established his status and a singular style marked by a rare and haunting beauty. "That style," he says, "is rooted in the doo wop of the fifties; the Moonlgows, the Flamingos, the Clovers and a close friend, Pookie Hudson and the Spaniels. But I was also deep into the gospel groups, the Pilgrim Travelers, the Brooklyn All-Stars and The Blind Boys of Alabama. And then there were those yodeling cowboys. I loved them."
- The Oakland Stroke
Aaron though was the first Neville to burn his way up the national charts. In early 1966, he recorded and released the original version of Tell It Like It Is from his eponymous album on Par-Lo Records. In November 1966, the track was issued as a single which peaked in early 1967 at no.1 on the US R&B chart and no.2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Unfortunately Par-Lo went broke before Aaron got paid. On the strength of the single though, Neville toured nationally and established his status and a singular style marked by a rare and haunting beauty. "That style," he says, "is rooted in the doo wop of the fifties; the Moonlgows, the Flamingos, the Clovers and a close friend, Pookie Hudson and the Spaniels. But I was also deep into the gospel groups, the Pilgrim Travelers, the Brooklyn All-Stars and The Blind Boys of Alabama. And then there were those yodeling cowboys. I loved them."
- The Oakland Stroke
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| Album Cover |
Information courtesy of Burgundy Records.
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