Customer Reviews

Valence Street

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Recently the Neville Brothers were in Omaha for a concert. We enjoyed hearing some of the Valance Street CD. I have listened to Valence Street at least six times since it was purchased. The lyrics combine nature, life and human emotions, and add the Neville Brother twist. My favorite tunes are Utterly Beloved, Mona Lisa, Little Piece of Heaven, Until we meet again, Over Africa in that order. I love listening to the combination of instruments enriched with the hypnotic voices of Aaron, Cyril and Charles. Thank you Amelia and Arthur L. Neville, Sr.

While not possessing quite the borderline-religious-experience, funky-to-the-bone hysteria of the Nevilles' live shows (especially those old two-set Mardi Gras marathons at Tipitina's), this is probably the Brothers' best studio record since Yellow Moon. It has a nice balance, showcasing the diverse talents of all four Neville Brothers (Art, Charles, Aaron, and Cyril), and the sound is uncluttered and with emphasis on the vocals. The ballads ("Dimming of the Day", "Utterly Beloved") are lovely, and the New Orleans-Caribbean version of "If I Had a Hammer" is a highlight, as is that Uptown New Orleans party entitled "Real Funk." Still, an added spice of Cyril's congas and percussion here and there, and perhaps an acapella-harmony "Indian Red" (as I have heard them do live) might have elevated the record to a masterpiece. As it stands, it's merely pretty damned good.

"Over Africa" is a stunning opener. The guitar riffs and rhythm really gets you off your feet. The covers of "If I had a Hammer" and Richard Thompson's "Dimming of the Day" are well done, too. Wyclef Jean's addition on "The Dealer" is great--and the lyrics are definitely ones you would want to listen to again and again.

Not my favorite Neville Brothers CD, but a solid addition to my collection.

The Neville Brothers deliver a blend of funk, rock, folk and soul on "Valence Street". There are two absolutely outstanding songs - the first two. "Over Africa" opens with a wicked guitar lick, then accordion, vocal and drums, finally, the whole band at the end of the first verse. What a perfect knockout song! Also perfect, in a mellower way is "Utterly Beloved", in the tradition of pretty, harmonic, 70s soul. Very, very tasty. Every other song is enjoyable (some more than others), but none are as great as the first two. The best of the other songs are "Until We Meet Again", "The Dealer", "Dimming of the Day" (written by British folk-rocker Richard Thompson), "Give Me A Reason" (Aaron's only really strong showing on the album) and "Tears". There is a little too much luke-warm "comfortable cruising" in some of the cuts to merit the distinction of a 5-star rating, but there is good, sweet funkiness throughout, and interesting lyrics sung with warmth and laced with occasional humor. Overall, a very successful effort by the fantastically talented "funky four".

Easily my favorite Neville Bros CD. Never tire of listening to it. Every cut is a keeper. Their cover of "If I Had A Hammer" alone is worth the price of the CD. Buy it! But it now!