Bring It on Home... The Soul Classics

Aaron Neville

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 19, 2006)
• Original Release Date: September 19, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Burgundy S
• ASIN: B000H7J9M6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,614 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Approach Aaron Neville's Bring it on Home ... the Soul Classics with anything but an open heart and you've missed the point. This is a serious CD, at once mournful, humble, and joyous, with no shortage of moments that recall the terribleness of Hurricane Katrina. One way of processing it is as a cataloging of classic songs that helped Neville's fellow New Orleanians soldier through: opener "Rainy Night in Georgia" with jazzman Chris Botti wrings beauty from soaking-wet despair, "Stand By Me" turns its heel on pleading in favor of promise-making, and "People Get Ready," with David Sanborn and brother Art, is a chill-sending reminder of how unity and perseverance can trump tragedy. Viewed from another lens, Soul Classics is Neville's attempt at climbing aboard the late-career, classic-covers bandwagon while weaving his bayou-soul heritage into the picture. The trouble with that theory, though, is that it feels like so much more. His voice flutters alongside Mavis Staple's on "Respect Yourself" with completely uncontrived tenderness, and Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" becomes a meditation on stillness and ease that befits a boulder-sized lump in the throat. A tossed-together concept album this is not; a reflection of a soul man gifted with the ability to spin epic, unyielding sorrow into grace is more like it. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description
Rooted in the fertile soil of rhythm-and-blues’ rich past, Bring It On Home…The Soul Classics, is a landmark work by Aaron Neville. This platinum recording artist and renowned vocalist has created an album of his interpretations of 13 universally loved soul classics, including Otis Redding's "(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay," Sam Cooke’s "You Send Me" and Ben E. King’s "Stand By Me." The album also features special guests Chaka Khan, Chris Botti, Mavis Staples, David Sanborn and Art Neville.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Liquid honey...., October 15, 2006

By	L. Quido "quidrock" (Tampa, FL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

is Neville's voice. I recently saw him at a local venue, where he performed a lot of the music on this fine CD. I hadn't purchased any Neville music since his great jazz memories album, "Nature Boy" -- but I went right out and bought this. Neville's not afraid to remake Sam Cooke or Percy Sledge, and his take on "Stand By Me" and with Chris Botti's trumpet on a new mix for "Rainy Night In Georgia" permeate your thoughts and just about make you forget the originals. Neville did this CD as a tribute to Katrina victims, and his own family's difficulties as the result of the storm. A consummate performer, with a voice that just doesn't quit, Neville is even more at home with sould classics than he is with gospel or jazz. Run, don't walk, to buy this CD!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Returning to his roots, September 24, 2006

By	Amanda Richards "Modest to the extreme" (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This four time Grammy award winning performer exposes his soulful roots with a thirteen song tribute to some of the world's greatest legends of soul and R&B. Even though his awards are in the Pop and Country music categories, his vibrato style clings to the classic songs, infusing them with inspiration and hope for troubled times.

The track list reads like a Who's Who, with guests like Chris Botti, Chaka Khan, Mavis Staples and David Sanborn performing the songs of Otis Redding, Ben E. King, Sam Cooke, Percy Sledge, Al Green and Marvin Gaye among others.

In some cases, you'll have to admit that there ain't nuthin' like the original, but Neville gets full marks for a passionate performance anyway. The ones I like are Ain't No Sunshine, originally by Bill Withers; Stand By Me - Ben E. King; You Send Me - Sam Cooke; Respect Yourself (featuring Mavis Staples) - Staple Singers; Let's Stay Together (featuring Chaka Khan) - Al Green, and People Get Ready (featuring David Sanborn and Art Neville) - Curtis Mayfield.

More than just another oldies compilation, this is an album that Aaron Neville fans can be proud of.

Amanda Richards, September 24, 2006

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That Amazing Voice, September 21, 2006

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

I've loved Aaron Neville's voice for many years and this has to be one of his finest recordings. Neville is one of those rare artists that can literally sing anything and do it well, but this is his home turf. I bought the CD the day it was released and actually didn't want it to end. His duet partners compliment and blend without overshadowing that incredible falsetto tenor. Do I have a particular favorite? Rainy Night In Georgia might be it, but there is nothing on this CD to "skip". Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this incredible recording by an artist that only gets better with age.