Aaron Neville
Iconic American singer Aaron Neville (born January 24, 1941) is celebrated for his distinctively smooth, vibrato-heavy tenor. He is a founding member of the Neville Brothers and a multi-Grammy-winning solo artist who has spanned genres from R&B and soul to country and gospel.
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Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Arthur and Amelia Neville. He grew up in the Calliope housing projects and was influenced by the city's rich musical traditions and his mother's singing. As a teenager, he began singing with his brother Art in a group called the Hawkettes. His early life was marked by hardship, including a six-month prison sentence at age 17 for car theft and a later battle with heroin addiction.
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He achieved national fame in 1966 with the ballad "Tell It Like It Is," which reached No. 1 on the R&B charts and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite its success, he received few royalties due to predatory contracts.
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In the mid-1970s, Aaron joined his brothers Art, Charles, and Cyril to form the Neville Brothers. They became known as the "First Family of New Orleans Music," frequently closing the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. He won five Grammy Awards, including for "Healing Chant" (with the Neville Brothers) and his hit duets with Linda Ronstadt, such as "Don't Know Much" (1989) and "All My Life" (1990).
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In the 1990s, he successfully ventured into country music with the platinum album The Grand Tour (1993). He later released highly-regarded jazz and gospel albums, including Nature Boy: The Standards Album (2003).
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His New Orleans home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, leading him to relocate to Nashville and eventually to a farm in New York.
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He was married to his first wife, Joel Roux, from 1959 until her death in 2007. He married photographer Sarah Ann Friedman in 2010. Neville announced his retirement from touring in 2021. In 2023, he released his comprehensive memoir, Tell It Like It Is: My Story. Neville remains a symbol of New Orleans culture, easily identified by his signature facial tattoo and the St. Jude medallion he wears in his left ear.
Tell It Like It Is
Written-By – George Davis, Lee Diamond 2:41
A2 Why Worry
Written-By – George Davis, Lee Diamond 2:34
A3 She Took You For A Ride
Written-By – George Davis, Lee Diamond 3:18
A4 A Hard Nut To Crack
Written-By – George Davis, Lee Diamond 2:30
A5 You Think You're So Smart
Written-By – George Davis 2:34
A6 Jailhouse
Written-By – Aaron Neville 3:12
B1 Bet You're Surprised
Vocals – George Davis
Written-By – Tyler, Davis, Parker 2:55
B2 Love, Love, Love
Written-By – George Davis 3:21
B3 Since You're Gone
Written-By – George Davis 2:24
B4 Space Man
Written-By – Fred Caliste 2:40
B5 Hold On, Help Is On The Way
Vocals – "Red" Tyler, George Davis
Written-By – Tyler, Davis, Parker 2:23
Label: Par Lo – No. 1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1967
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Rhythm & Blues
Aaron Neville's album, Tell It Like It Is (originally released on the Par-Lo label in 1967, following the hit single in November 1966), is a classic of New Orleans R&B and soul known for showcasing his unique, soaring falsetto. The album's strength lies in its centerpiece title track, widely considered a masterpiece of soul music.
The album is critically acclaimed primarily due to the strength of the titular song, "Tell It Like It Is," which reached No. 1 on the US R&B charts and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Neville's voice is often compared to Sam Cooke in its sheer vocal refinement and emotional depth. His unique, angelic falsetto is a defining feature of the record.
The album blends various styles, including R&B, soul, and New Orleans funk, reflecting Neville's diverse musical background.
The original recordings are praised for their raw, honest feel, a result of the arrangements by George Davis and the backing by New Orleans session musicians like Deacon John (guitar) and Willie Tee (piano).
The title track is a poignant expression of love, vulnerability, and the necessity of honesty in relationships, a message delivered with heartfelt intensity.
Later reissues and compilations with the same name have sometimes received mixed reviews, often due to variations in track quality, the use of poor masters, or the inclusion of re-recorded versions. Some fan reviews suggest that the original 1967 album is the definitive version and that other compilations under the same name do not capture the same magic.
Overall, the original 1967 album is considered a foundational work in soul and R&B history, primarily driven by the strength of its iconic title track and Neville's exceptional vocal talent.