Biography
Born 24 January 1941, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Neville began performing in the Hawkettes, a group that also featured his brother Art Neville. Aaron was signed to Minit Records as a solo artist, but despite a minor hit with "Over You" (1960), he remained largely unknown until the release of "Tell It Like It Is" (1966). This simple, haunting ballad showcased the singer's delicate delivery while the song's slogan-like title echoed the sentiments of the rising Black Power movement. Sadly, the single's outlet, Par-Lo, went bankrupt, and despite subsequent strong releases, Neville was unable to repeat its commercial success. In 1978, following the break-up of the Meters, Aaron joined Art, Cyril and Charles in the Neville Family Band, later renamed the Neville Brothers. He continued a parallel solo career and in 1989 enjoyed an international hit with "Don't Know Much", a duet with Linda Ronstadt. The first of several recordings for the A&M Records label, Warm Your Heart was a strong collection but the subsequent releases failed to do justice to Neville's astonishing voice. The singer found more worthy material with a pair of gospel releases (Devotion and Believe) in the new millennium.
Discography:
Tell It Like It Is (Par-Lo 1967)**, Orchid In The Storm (Demon/Rhino 1986)****, Warm Your Heart (A&M 1991)****, The Grand Tour (A&M 1993)***, Soulful Christmas (A&M 1993)**, The Tattooed Heart (A&M 1995)**, To Make Me Who I Am (A&M 1997)**, Devotion (Chordant 2000)***, Believe (Tellit/EMI Gospel 2003)***, Nature Boy: The Standards Album (Verve 2003)***.
Compilations:
Like It 'Tis (Minit 1967)**, Humdinger (Stateside 1986)**, Make Me Strong (Charly 1986)***, Show Me The Way (Charly 1989)***, Greatest Hits (Curb 1990)***, My Greatest Gift (Rounder 1990)***, The Very Best Of Aaron Neville (A&M 2000)***, Ultimate Collection (Hip-O 2001)****, The Best Of Aaron Neville: The Millennium Collection (A&M 2002)****, Love Songs (Interscope 2003)***, shared with Art Neville Brother To Brother (Fuel 2000 2003)****, Nature Boy: The Standards Album (Verve 2003)****.
Bibliography:
The Brothers, Neville Brothers with David Ritz.
Music Albums
Soulful Christmas
A&M Records
10/05/1993
Greatest Hits
Curb Records
06/12/1990
Make Me Strong
Charly (UK)
n/a
The Classic Aaron Neville: My Greatest Gift
Rounder Records
07/18/1990
Orchid In The Storm
Hyena Records
02/18/2003
Show Me The Way
Charly (UK)
12/01/1989
Tell It Like It Is-Golden Classics
Collectables
04/22/1989
Tell It Like It Is
Curb Records
07/09/1991
The Grand Tour
A&M Records
04/20/1993
Warm Your Heart
A&M Records
06/11/1991
The Tattooed Heart
A&M Records
04/18/1995
...To Make Me Who I Am
A&M Records
10/14/1997
The Best Of Aaron Neville: Tell It Like It Is
Laserlight
03/26/1996
Cry Me A River
RECORDS
05/25/1999
The Very Best Of Aaron Neville
A&M Records
01/11/2000
Devotion
EMI Gospel Music
09/26/2000
Ultimate Collection
Hip-O Records
08/21/2001
20th Century Masters: The Millennium...
A&M Records
06/18/2002
Believe
EMI Gospel Music
01/28/2003
Love Songs
A&M Records
01/14/2003
Nature Boy: The Standards Album
Verve
08/26/2003
Nature Boy: The Standards Album [SACD Hybrid] *
Verve
09/30/2003
Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters
Chronicles
09/23/2003
Devotion [DVD-Audio]
Silverline Records
10/24/2000
Devotion [DVD-Audio]
Silverline Records
11/20/2001
Believe [DVD-Audio]
Silverline Records
01/28/2003
Nature Boy: The Standards Album [DVD-Audio]
Verve
02/24/2004
Source: Encyclopedia of Popular Music
