Cyril Neville
Don't Wait 'Til I'm Gone
***and1/2 out of *****
"Give me my flowers, while I can still smell them. Hear my stories, while I can still tell them." The legendary Cyril Neville sings these affecting lines on the title track of his newest solo album, Don't Wait 'Til I'm Gone. The 77 year-old Neville and company prove that there is still gas left in the tank over these ten, memory stirring efforts.
The core band supporting Cyril on this record are his son Omari on drums, Shamarr Allen, horns, Gregg Molinario, guitar, Austin Clements, bass, while a host of New Orleans friends also arrive to join him on this journey.
Taking an overview of his life is critical for Neville at this juncture as he grows older and sees the passing of friends and loved ones. On one of the standout tracks here, "Poppa Wa Ditty" Neville looks to 1974, reliving his Wild Tchoupitoulas days and Mardi Gras Indian culture, shouting out Big Chiefs throughout the deeply grooving track as Leo Nocentelli – guitar and Ivan Neville – piano, clavinet, organ, help out. Speaking of Big Chiefs, Donald Harrison also joins on the title track which deploys great guitar, brass and funky strutting.
Gospel vibes bookend the album as "Sunrise On The River parts 1 and 2" start/end with a holy touch as Neville's contemplation is spiritual as well. The Hot 8 Brass Band join for "Lemonade" which displays amazing music that bumps and grooves excellently, while lyrically remaining fairly basic. Those lyrically drawbacks also pop up in the piano led "This Rat Race" and "Positive Is How I Live" but again a guest, this time Kermit Ruffins, spruces up the sound as the bopping, infectious music carries the day.
One clear surprise is "You Hold Me Down" which finds Cyril using modern hip-hop beats and auto-tuned vocals, a combo that seems odd at first blush, but works well. More expected are the slow sweet odes, "Our Love", anchored by hand claps/percussion before a great trumpet solo to end, and the easy grooving "Call On Me" with smooth horns, and a a bass solo, as Neville pledges his love once again.
A solidly produced, stout sounding effort that looks back on a fun career around funky beats, bright horns and a solid supporting collection of friends and family, Cyril Neville's Don't Wait 'Til I'm Gone is a joyous, soulful romp.
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