Aaron Neville

Bring It On Home . . . The Soul Classics | Burgundy
By CLEA SIMON  |  October 2, 2006
3.0 3.0 Stars

Post-Katrina, we all could use some comfort, and Aaron Neville, who lost his home in the flooding, knows how to provide it. Following months of benefits and tracks on others’ fund-raising compilations, his new collection covers 13 classic soul tunes. Most of these covers, all fairly faithful to the originals, are not earth-shattering; some, particularly his take on Curtis Mayfield’s “It’s All Right,” are featherweight, pleasant without much impact. But the majority are well chosen, with the delicacy of Neville’s delivery adding a poignant touch to lyrics of loss and faith. And that trademark voice — a sweet, light tenor — is as evident as ever on this Stewart Levine production, untouched by recent tragedy or his 65 years. That famous floating falsetto remains intact as well. Neville puts it to good use in a duet with Chaka Khan, where his powder-soft quavers and her rich chocolate sauciness personalize Al Green’s classic “Let’s Stay Together.” Neville’s own “Ain’t No Sunshine” hovers on air, even with only touches of those high notes. And when he reaches, with heart but no apparent effort, for those high high notes (“I won’t cry”) in “Stand by Me,” he mines the gospel gold in the love song.

Aaron Neville | Berklee Performance Center, 136 Mass Ave, Boston | October 8 | 617.228.6000

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