Aaron Neville Warm Your Heart CD

WARM YOUR HEART, Aaron Neville's 1991 A&M debut, finds the New Orleans crooner bringing his sweet, soulful voice to a collection of pop songs couched in lush production. The opener, a cover of Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927," sets the stage for the star-studded proceedings to follow, with its arrangement by Van Dyke Parks and vocal help from Rita Coolidge and Linda Ronstadt (who also contributes production and arrangements throughout the album). Elsewhere Neville tackles tunes by John Hiatt, Burt Bacharach, Allen Toussaint, Jimmy Buffett, and even a stirring version of "Ave Maria."

Though the choice of material and sleek, polished studio treatments are clear attempts to push Neville toward commercial viability, the R&B lion retains all of his charm in this setting. His angelic tenor, which swoops and flutters like a bird, from delicate falsetto to full-throated passion, is in top form on the lovely ballad "With You in Mind" and Neville's own work-song-based "Angola Bound." WARM YOUR HEART succeeds on two levels--it has enough smooth sheen to satisfy fans of adult-contemporary R&B, and enough of Neville's undeniable talent, grace, and showmanship to please his old-school devotees.

Recording information: Conway Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA (03/1990-03/1991); Ocean Way Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA (03/1990-03/1991); Russian Hill Recording, San Francisco, CA (03/1990-03/1991); Skywalker Ranch, Marin County, CA (03/1990-03/1991); Studio F, Los Angeles, CA (03/1990-03/1991); Ultrasonic Studios, New Orleans, LA (03/1990-03/1991).

Director: Billy Graham .

Photographer: John Casado.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Dr. John; Greg Sudmeir; Jeff Beal.

Arrangers: Peter Ronstadt; Aaron Neville; Van Dyke Parks; Linda Ronstadt.

Personnel: Aaron Neville (vocals, drums, cowbells, background vocals); Linda Ronstadt (vocals, soprano, whistling); Rita Coolidge (vocals, background vocals); Jason Neville (rap vocals); Kevin Ames, Robert "Kool" Bell (countertenor); Ry Cooder (guitar, slide guitar); Dean Parks (guitar, mandolin); Brian Stoltz (guitar, percussion, background vocals); David Lindley, Larry Carlton (guitar); Daniel Kobialka, Dan Smiley, Patrice May, James Shallenberger, Gail Cruz, Stephen Gehl, Ronald Erickson, Pavel Farkas, Jeremy Cohen , Roy Malan, Nathan Rubin, Jeremy Constant (violin); Ruth Freeman, Jim Hurley, Roxanna Jacobson, Basil Vendryes, Don Ehrlich, Nanci Severance, Becky Sebring, Susan Bates (viola); Dennis Karmazyn, Judiyaba, David Kadarauch, Thalia Moore, Allen Gove (cello); Angela Koregelos (flute); Steve Grove (alto saxophone); Emilio Castillo, Plas Johnson (tenor saxophone); Stephen Kupka (baritone saxophone); Greg Adams, Glen Fischthal, Lee Thornburg (trumpet); Dave Krehbiel (French horn); Mark Lawrence (trombone); Don Grolnick (piano, keyboards); Dr. John (piano, percussion, background vocals); Robbie Buchanan (organ); Carlos Vega (drums, percussion); Russ Kunkel (drums, programming); Jim Keltner, Willie Green (drums); Cyril Neville (congas); Bob Seger (percussion, background vocals); Bob Glaub (percussion); Renee Armand, Donny Gerrard, William "Bill" Greene, Rosemary Butler, Arnold McCuller, Valerie Carter, Bobby King (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: George Massenburg; Nathaniel Kunkel.

Rolling Stone (8/8/91) - 3.5 Stars - "...a moody album packed with some extraordinary, transcendent moments..."
Q (8/91) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...the (Neville) family's most precious heirloom.."
Stereo Review (9/91) - Performance "Sumptuous" / Recording "Very good" - "...a special release...a gorgeous piece of mainstream music..."
New York Times (Publisher) (1/1/92) - "The solo album debut of the great New Orleans soul singer has the year's most sublime pop vocals."