Aaron Neville bringing doo-wop days to The Music Hall
The "first family" of New Orleans, the Neville Brothers have been making noise throughout their lives. Aesthetically pleasing noise.
Of all the Neville's, the one that has had the most individual success is arguably Aaron Neville — a multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-winning vocalist. He last visited The Music Hall in Portsmouth with the Neville Brothers back in 2009.
Tonight, Neville will make a follow-up to that appearance in a duo format, touring in support of his latest release, "My True Story," a collection of doo-wop covers from the 1960s that influenced and catapulted him into a career as a singer.
"My True Story" was released on Blue Note Records, having been produced by Blue Note President Don Was and Rolling Stone Keith Richards. Was recruited Richards, having a memory of Richards playing the Jive Five's "My True Story" over and over again in his room during the making of the Stone's "Voodoo Lounge," also produced by Was.
Though the record is a collection of a dozen cover tunes, they're largely reimagined and brought back to life by the inimitable Neville, who has one of the smoothest and most-well-versed soul-driven voices on the planet. Doo-wop is the soundtrack to his life, and has been an integral part to who he has been as an artist since day one.
Neville's certainly got a story to tell, and Spotlight was there to listen in (and take notes) on a piece of it. Here we go ...
SPOTLIGHT: I want to talk about 'My True Story.' It's a very enjoyable listen — almost like a history lesson of sorts. Curious to hear what your goals were behind putting together such a release?
NEVILLE: Ever since I've been recording, there's been a doo-wop element to it. Growing up as a kid, I remember my brother Art's doo-wop group and the work he was doing and I loved it. It wasn't known as doo-wop back then, it was just R&B, y'know? Just singing from the heart with genuine feelin'. That's what doo-wop really is.
SPOTLIGHT: What was it like working with Keith Richards?
NEVILLE: When I started in on wanting to work on a doo-wop album, Keith was interested out of the gate. He asked me, 'What took you so long (to work with me)?' I just laughed. He's a great musician, and a great friend. We were just a couple of kids hanging out in the studio making this record listening to our favorite doo-wop tracks over and over and over again. We just had a mighty fine time.
SPOTLIGHT: You have backing vocalists that are from some of the original groups you cover on the record. What was it like having them there singing with you?
NEVILLE: It was fun, man. In between cuts we'd be sitting there just talking about who we know, who we played with, who we were listening too ...; It was fun, man ...; Too much fun. (Laughs.) It was so nice to take a piece of the past — a piece of history, of music lore — and tie it together all these years later. This music is timeless in my mind, man, and I think we're showing folks just how timeless it is by bringing back the originals — the masters — to contribute on this project.
SPOTLIGHT: Was there a moment or experience that led you to chase life as a professional singer?
NEVILLE: I just wanted to be a singer from the moment I opened my ears, soul, and mouth. (Laughs.) I'd sing everywhere: at home, school, at the basketball game ...; I sang while shooting hoops, man ...; it didn't matter. (Laughs.) I just wanted to sing. There really was nothing else for me in my mind and heart. Nothing at all.
SPOTLIGHT: You're living in New York these days. What's the dynamic like between New Orleans and New York City? How does each place inform — influence — your music?
NEVILLE: The music has always been there. I didn't really need any more influence on my music when I moved to New York, but I do love it here. There's a lot of interesting culture. A lot of different types of food. My wife and I, we get around, we soak it up, but the music that comes from me doesn't come from here, it comes from home — it comes from New Orleans.
SPOTLIGHT: You've had a very successful career. You've been at it for over five decades. What keeps you plugging away? What are you hoping to accomplish that you haven't accomplished yet?
NEVILLE: I'm not looking to really accomplish anything ...; I'm just looking to keep doing what I'm doing till God come down and say, 'Yeah ...; it's time to pack it up, son.' (Laughs.)
SPOTLIGHT: What's next in the Aaron Neville pipeline?
NEVILLE: I'm working on a new album right now — puttin' my poetry to the music of these young guys, Soulive. This stuff is killin', man. I'm really proud of it. Really funky. It's gotta be funky if you're hangin' with them. (Laughs.) Heavy groove, heavy beat ...; It's a fun project — oh yeah!
SPOTLIGHT: You're coming to Portsmouth, N.H., to play The Music Hall — a place you've played before with your brothers. What excites you about the show this time around?
NEVILLE: I love playing this show all over the world. Doesn't matter where I'm at specifically. The beauty about this format is, I can do whatever I want. I have a long history that has made me who I am, and I love pulling from all over the spectrum of my catalogue and delivering the songs to the audience, man. I just love singing for people. And I like doing it in theatres like The Music Hall. I had a blast when the Nevilles played there last, and I have no doubt that I'll love it this time around as well. It's a great feeling.
SPOTLIGHT: What are you hoping people take with them when they experience your performance at The Music Hall? What can they expect?
NEVILLE: I hope they leave with a feeling that their heart is full and they be smiling for the next week or so. I hope I can create some music for the audience that keeps them awake at night — not because I don't want them to get no sleep, but because they enjoyed the show so much and can't stop rehashing it in their head. (Laughs.) That's what makes these shows so fun. I like making people happy. I like singing for my fans, and heck, I like making new fans and friends as well. We'll all share in a good time, y'know?
WHERE The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth
WHEN 7:30 p.m. today, Sept. 18
COST $42 to $52
CONTACT 436-2400 or www.themusichall.org