Nevilles On The 4th

[kyfester]

The Neville Brothers Band played on the banks of the Ohio here in Louisville on the 4th. In a word, they were boffo. The set felt fresh. I've been coming to JazzFest since '76, and 20 of last 21 years, but it's been awhile since I've heard the Brothers since we come first weekend.

Anyway, their supporting musicians give them a new excitement. Not sure who played drums. It was not Mean Willie Green. But whoever it was, jammed. And the keyboard player was great. (If anybody knows who is drumming and playing keyboards with them now, please post.)

Aaron was in fine voice. Sang everything I wanted to hear with exception of "Louisiana 1927." Including "A Change Is Gonna Come," "What's Goin On," "Amazing Grace," "Yellow Moon," and, of course, "Tell It Like It Is." Their version of "Tipitina" with Cyrille singing lead was played double time to great effect. They ran through the basic repertoire. Need I list the tunes? You know 'em. "Fiyo On The Bayou." "Sister Rosa." "Love The One You're With." "Big Chief." Etc, etc.

Aaron's voice was in fine fettle. Art carried on, despite obvious back pain. He had to be helped off the stage after the set. Charles sax had its usual serpentine sonority. Cyrille seemed a bit more muted than in the past. He did invoke the spirit of New Orleans, despite his obvious current distaste for returning to N O.

I'm not sure what's really going on with these guys and they city we love and that they represent, but I sure hope it abates.

At any rate, all those in my krewe, who have heard the band many times in the past, agreed. This was as good as they've ever been. Including back when they first formed as a band.

Let's all pray they're back on the big stage next May.

[funkkjunkie]

thanks for the review, kyfester. I read that Michael Goods is on keys and peeps on the nevilles msg bored seem to think Willie is still with the band but I'm pretty sure that's not true. I'll bet someone on here will have the answer. And yyr, hopes, prayers and karma for the Brothers to close the jazzfest once again.

[tabasco]

Let's all pray they're back on the big stage next May.

Amen!

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

At any rate, all those in my krewe, who have heard the band many times in the past, agreed. This was as good as they've ever been. Including back when they first formed as a band.

Let's all pray they're back on the big stage next May


Thanks for the review! The Nevilles will play JF again, it just has to happen...

[Corona]

amen Fred.....amen!

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now! The Nevilles will play here in Salt Lake next week, and I am pleased to hear they are sounding so good..... Are you sure Willie Green is not drumming? He has been with the Brothers since I first started seeing them, (1988?) and has always seemed glad to see me and hang out after the show...... Glad to hear Art is still truckin' on, that man is an American Icon!!! Have a funky summer, Matthew

[kyfester]

I am sure that Willie Green was not the drummer playing with the Nevilles on the 4th. Whether he was ill and somebody was simply sitting in for him on that gig, I don't know. Could have been. Whoever the guy was sitting at the drum kit, he ripped it. Incredible chops. Incredible energy.

[NOLA]

Hey Now! The Nevilles will play here in Salt Lake next week, and I am pleased to hear they are sounding so good..... Are you sure Willie Green is not drumming? He has been with the Brothers since I first started seeing them, (1988?) and has always seemed glad to see me and hang out after the show...... Glad to hear Art is still truckin' on, that man is an American Icon!!! Have a funky summer, Matthew

Let us know how the Salt Lake show is, Matthew.

I believe there is another thread that mentioned the Neville's will be on the Tonight Show next Wednesday, July 11th. Worth repeating here in case anybody missed it.

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now Frank!!! How's your summer been so far? I hope you are doing well. I am looking forward to the Neville Brothers show next week, and Galatic is also playing here on thursday night. I will give my firsthand account of both gigs, and give a shout out to the bands from you and all the other Threadheads! Good to hear from you, and dont forget to drink plenty of refreshing beverages in that New Orleans heat! Have a funky summer, Matthew

[ohio]

Hey KY, no mention of Ivan--- was he not with the band?

[funkkjunkie]

I think, but am not sure, that Ivan, Ian and Nick all left to focus on dumpstaphunk. And at the patry, willie green said he was no longer with the brothers.

[ohio]

I think, but am not sure, that Ivan, Ian and Nick all left to focus on dumpstaphunk. And at the patry, willie green said he was no longer with the brothers.
I see. Kinda too bad in that I thought they (or Ivan at least) infused some new fire that the band needed. Kinda bringing them into the next generation so to speak.

[kyfester]

Ivan Neville was not with the band. Michael Goods played keys, I believe. Makuni Fukuda was on guitar. I think the bass player's name is David Johnson, though I'm not sure. But I would love to know the drummer's name. He sounded a lot like Russell Batiste. But as many times as I've heard him at JazzFest, I've never been close enough to know if the fellow the other night was him by sight. His web site indicates a lot of gigs this summer but none with the Nevilles Band. If anybody knows for sure, do tell. Please!!!

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

You might have some luck on the Nevilles web site message board.

[funkkjunkie]

Folks have been trying to id the band members on a couple threads on the nevilles chat. That's where i got the name Michael Goods.

[kyfester]

Perhaps I was wrong about Willie Green. Somebody who read my post at the Nevilles site, was at the concert and assures me it was he who was behind the drum kit. Perhaps our eyes deceived my friends and myself. ??????

[saturn]

Here is an article from June 29th performance in Ottawa that mentions Willie Green on the drums.

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/N/Neville_Brothers/ConcertReviews/2007/06/30/4302643.html

[denideadhead]

I saw the Nevs in NYC, Stamford, and Peekskill and Willie mentioned that they were going home for a day or so then had to go right back out. I heard from someone at the KY show that Willie was there playing and looking fine. As far as I know Willie said nothing about plans to leave the Nevilles anytime soon? Russell is home in NOLA and has been working alot doing his own thing and he is touring with PBS. While I think they are awesome I doubt what the Underdawgs alone have going would be enough to pay the bills? Nick and Ivan have left to do the Dumpstaphunk thing they really believe in the project and want to get a label to pick up the new CD all of which takes a lot of work. I can't wait to hear the track they recorded with BB King on the Fats Tribute CD :) OK truth they recorded thier part in Texas and BB recorded in Las Vegas but I hear it rocks...I am psyched the brothers are coming back to the Northeast at the end of the month...missed the last year and am now almost overdosing :D

[freebo]

Also,

Don't forget to catch the Neville Brothers Band on TV this Wednesday night:

Wednesday, July 11, 2007: THE TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO

[sophisticated sissy]

I saw Cyril on the 1st of July at a V.O.W. show in CO. He had altitude sickness pretty bad. He recovered and came back for the last song & the encore. Got a nice pic of him before he went backstage.

[denideadhead]

RE: Willie Green...I just heard from Willie and he assured me that he has played with the Nevilles for 20 plus years and he plans on playin with the Nevilles for another 20 plus years. He also said if you want to see him GO TO A NEVILLES BROTHER SHOW!! and Don't forget to catch on them on Jay Leno Weds nite :)
Hopefully this will put those rumors to bed.

[Amy Winette]

There's probably a more recent thread on this, but we had them up here at Targhee Fest in mid-July. I was feeling too sick, but Jeff reported that the show was excellent, moving some people to tears! Jeff's company sponsored the fest so he chatted with them backstage afterwards and Willie Green was definitely there, told Jeff he wants a Fest4Kidz t-shirt so Jeff's going to arrange to get one to Shamarr to get to him. I think he said Aaron's asthma was bothering him quite a bit at the altitude, and that Art was walking with cane. No Ivan who was elsewhere with Dumpstaphunk . . .