Devotion

Aaron Neville | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tell It Records
• ASIN: B00004WJAC
• Also Available in: DVD Audio  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,067 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Aaron Neville is one of the only singers alive with a voice soulful, strong, and emotionally pure enough to warrant comparisons to Sam Cooke--easy to understand upon hearing his new gospel-oriented collection, "Devotion." With an intensity you just don't hear enough of, he tackles some of the great songs of the genre, such as "Mary Don't You Weep" and "Banks of the River Jordan." Those songs share space with a few originals, as well as ingeniously sung covers of pop standards such as "I Shall Be Released," "Bridge over Troubled Water," and "Morning Has Broken"--all done in the stirring, tuneful way that only Aaron Neville can achieve. As is the case these days on almost any solo recording by a performer over the age of 20, there are guest stars: able-voiced brother Ivan is on here, while adult contemporary act Avalon and diva wannabe Rachel Lampa attempt, admirably, to hold their own with the great singer. Okay, it's gonna sound clichéd, but this record really is as rock solid as its message of faith. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description

great music

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Congratulations and Thank You Aaron, October 3, 2000

By 

Jawara K Lumumba (Capitol Hgt, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Devotion (Audio CD)

Since hearing Aaron sing the Lord's Prayer on an earlier disc I have longed for him to do a full complement of spiritual music. Here the Brother has done just that. In scanning the titles I knew that I would be in for a sensational and uplifting musical journey; I was absolutely right! On the Lord's Prayer Aaron confirmed that God has endowed him with an incomparable musical instrument --his voice. He is a natural musical minister. There is purity and sincerity that confirms that he is speaking from his soul. The entire disc has a striking transformational impact for me. On a day that I find myself spinning in circles " What Would Jesus Do? " shines a radiant light on my pathway forward. -- I have a sense that no matter what one's religious persuasion may be; hearing this divine musical talent will be an unforgettable blessing! Enjoy and be blessed!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Surround, August 26, 2001

By 

"surroundguy" (Peripatetic) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aaron Neville - Devotion (DVD Audio) (DVD Audio)

This was one of the first DVD-Audios released, and although there is also a CD of this available, I believe this remains one of the only DVD-Audios recorded from the start with surround in mind. Neville's famous voice (especially his well developed falsetto) is in fine shape here. The words and music on Devotion are entirely spiritual, and while I am not at all religious, the emotional sincerity of these mostly gospel selections pack an undeniable impact and I enjoyed hearing this soulful music. The high resolution DVD-Audio sound is excellent, and the use of the surround channels (such as placing backing vocals in the rear) is appropriate and effective. As you listen, slides relating to the spiritual content steadily change as the music progresses, making use of DVD-Audio's visual capabilities beyond some other pop DVD-Audios I've experienced. There are also some video extras that may be more suitable only for truly dedicated Neville fans, but some will certainly savor these. An extra I have not seen before is an "Artist Commentary," where, for each piece, Neville mentions his connection to the music, what it means to him personally, etc. This is an excellent idea, and I would hope other DVD-Audios will start to also do this. There are even other extras explaining DVD-Audio, home speaker setup, etc. If you are a Neville fan, or if you are interested in DVD-Audio surround sound, or if you care about the spiritual message here, I think you should definitely check out Devotion. Overall, this is one of the best produced DVD-Audios I've encountered so far. It's interesting that small labels (like Silverline and Starkland) are turning out DVD-Audios that are better and more sophisticated than what the major labels are doing.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This!, October 27, 2000

By 

James M. Loveday "Mike Loveday" (Bastrop, Louisiana United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Devotion (Audio CD)

I am sitting at my computer listening to one of the new "jewels" in my CD collection! Aaron has a voice that reaches out, grabs you, and takes you into his heart. This may be the most personal release he has ever done. We got a sneak preview of this on his "To Make Me Who I Am" release, but on Devotion, he bares his soul. The second track, "Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine" has Aaron giving testimony of his own journey and the highs and lows of his life. My favorite cut on this CD is "Banks Of The River Jordan". Gospel soul at its very finest! If you need a little "pick me up", buy this CD and let Aaron Neville share with you where his hope comes from!