What does a musician owe his or her fans? Does Aaron Neville have to make a CD that will make fans of the Neville Brothers’ funk happy? It seems easy and obvious to say no, but many Neville fans have acted as if Aaron’s solo albums represent a betrayal or an extended bout of bad taste because the albums feature him as a more of a crooner recording adult contemporary music. It would be pointless for Aaron to use his solo career to make records he could make better with his brothers, and he doesn’t try, though Bring It On Home: The Soul Classics has its roots in his family bands. He has sung almost all of these famous soul songs at one point or another, whether with Cyril or with the Neville Brothers, but the versions here are more in keeping with Aaron’s solo catalogue—rhythmically streamlined with a clear focus on the character of Aaron’s voice.

 

Not surprisingly, he sounds great here. When he reaches down for low notes in “Rainy Night in Georgia,” there’s an unexpected texture and power for someone so known for his high, airy warble. He doesn’t necessarily shed much new light on the classics he sings, though “(Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay” gets a bouncier, less melancholy treatment, and Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t That Peculiar” does go to New Orleans, with assists from Art Neville and Dr. John. More than feeling like an artistic statement, Bring It On Home feels like a social one, offering recognizable versions of well-known songs that bring people together. That might not be the album Neville Brothers’ fans want, but it’s hard to argue with the purpose or execution.