The group notion started in 1976, when the four brothers of the Neville family, Art (1937-2019), Charles (1938–2018), Aaron (b. 1941), and Cyril (b. 1948) got together to take part in the recording session of The Wild Tchoupitoulas, a Mardi Gras Indian group led by the Nevilles' uncle, George Landry ("Big Chief Jolly").
Art Neville reached out to Paul Howrilla (personal manager for Dr. John) and told him that he always wanted to do something with his brothers. Paul Howrilla created Neville Productions, Inc., serving as president and CEO with all four Neville brothers as members of the board of directors. The newly formed business covered the entire Neville family, designed to protect them from the music business abuse they had previously endured in their individual careers.
This experience led them to form the group the following year. Their debut album was released from Capitol Records in 1978.
In 1988, the group released Uptown from EMI featuring guests including Branford Marsalis, Keith Richards, and Carlos Santana. The following year saw the release of Yellow Moon from A&M Records produced by Daniel Lanois. The track "Healing Chant" from that album won best pop instrumental performance of the Grammy Awards.
In 1990, the Neville Brothers contributed "In the Still of the Night" to the AIDS benefit album Red Hot + Blue produced by the Red Hot Organization. Also in 1990, they appeared on the bill at that year's Glastonbury Festival. This also was the year they recorded "Sons and Daughters" on their Brother's Keeper album.
Their version of "Bird on the Wire" was played over the closing credits of the 1990 film, Bird on a Wire.
Due to the health problems of Art Neville, the band kept a low profile in the late 1990s onto the early 2000s. They made a comeback in 2004, however, with the album, Walkin' In The Shadow Of Life, from Back Porch Records, their first newly recorded effort in five years.
All brothers except Charles, a Massachusetts resident, had been living in New Orleans, but following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 Cyril and Aaron moved out of the city. They had not been performing in New Orleans since Katrina hit the city, however, they finally returned to perform there at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2008, being given the closing spot which had been reserved for them for years.
Infrequently, Ivan Neville, Aaron's son (keyboards) and Ian Neville, Art's son (electric guitar), both of the band Dumpstaphunk, have played with the band in recent years.
The group formally disbanded in 2012 but reunited in 2015 for a farewell concert in New Orleans.
Charles Neville died of pancreatic cancer on April 26, 2018, at the age of 79.
Art Neville died at age 81 on July 22, 2019, after years of declining health.
Brother Jake
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well my brother Jake is finally home
Well my brother Jake
Well my brother Jake is finally home
Oh my brother Jake, he was on the run
The man behind him, with a Gatling gun
I remember that morning when he hopped that freight
old brother jake had to ride the rail
Or get locked up in the parish jail
He had a lot of weight upon his chest
The sheriff had a warrant for his arrest
he grabbed the train and headed east
Would his life of running never cease
He hopped off the train at new york city
Only to find- ain't no kind of pity
Well my brother Jake
Well my brother Jake is finally home
Well my brother Jake
Well my brother Jake is finally home
he finally made it
Back to New Orleans
Man, his hometown
Sure enough was mean
Back in his jungle
Where he lived his life
Where the law of the land
It was a gun and a knife
late one night, down on the avenue
That's where brother Jakes dying breath was drew
He thought his home was with family and friends
Somebody caught him off guard and brought his life to an end
Well my brother Jake
(brother Jake he's finally home)
Well my brother Jake is finally home
(no more to cry, no more to weep and moan)
Well my brother Jake
(No more to have to run and hide)
Well my brother Jake is finally home
(hes hopped his last freight and took his last train ride)
Well my brother Jake
Well my brother Jake is finally home
Well my brother Jake
Well my brother Jake is finally home
The Neville Brothers' song "Brother Jake" tells the story of a man named Jake who is on the run from the law. The lyrics describe his journey, including hopping on a freight train and heading to New York City before finally returning to his hometown of New Orleans. Unfortunately, Jake's homecoming is short-lived as he is killed on the streets late one night. The song captures the bittersweet nature of Jake's journey, from the excitement of escape to the tragedy of his untimely death.
One interpretation of the song is that it speaks to the experience of many African Americans throughout history who have been forced to flee their homes due to persecution and oppression. Jake's flight from the law can be seen as a metaphor for these experiences, while his ultimate fate represents the challenges faced by those who seek to return to their communities and rebuild their lives.
Overall, "Brother Jake" is a powerful and evocative song that uses vivid imagery and storytelling to explore themes of freedom, justice, and homecoming.
Line by Line Meaning
Well my brother Jake
The singer introduces the subject of the song, his brother Jake.
Well my brother Jake is finally home
Jake has returned home after being away for some time.
Oh my brother Jake, he was on the run
Jake was evading the law and fleeing from danger.
The man behind him, with a Gatling gun
Someone was chasing Jake with a weapon.
I remember that morning when he hopped that freight
The artist recalls the moment when Jake boarded a train and left town.
He was headed west, oh lord, he couldnt be late
Jake was in a rush to leave and seemed to be in a hurry to reach his destination.
old brother jake had to ride the rail
Jake had to take the train to avoid getting arrested.
Or get locked up in the parish jail
If he didn't take the train, he would have been put behind bars.
He had a lot of weight upon his chest
Jake was carrying a heavy burden, likely from the stress of running.
The sheriff had a warrant for his arrest
The authorities were actively looking for Jake and had a valid search warrant out for him.
he grabbed the train and headed east
Jake boarded a train going in the opposite direction from where he wanted to go.
Would his life of running never cease
The artist questions whether Jake will ever be able to stop running from his problems.
He hopped off the train at new york city
Jake arrived in New York City after riding the train for some time.
Only to find- ain't no kind of pity
Jake discovered that life in New York was tough and unforgiving.
Back to New Orleans
Jake eventually returned to his hometown of New Orleans.
Man, his hometown
The artist notes that New Orleans was Jake's place of origin.
Sure enough was mean
New Orleans was a rough place to live in, with a lot of violence and crime.
Back in his jungle
The singer describes New Orleans as a place where survival was difficult and a fight for territory was ongoing.
Where he lived his life
Jake grew up and spent most of his life in New Orleans.
Where the law of the land
The artist refers to the unwritten rules that governed life in New Orleans.
It was a gun and a knife
Violence was a common means of settling disputes in New Orleans.
Late one night, down on the avenue
Jake was killed one night while walking on a street in New Orleans.
That's where brother Jakes dying breath was drew
Jake breathed his last breath on the avenue in New Orleans.
(brother Jake he's finally home)
The artist repeats the refrain, noting that Jake has finally returned home.
(no more to cry, no more to weep and moan)
Jake no longer has any reason to feel sad or distressed.
(No more to have to run and hide)
Jake doesn't need to hide or flee anymore.
(hes hopped his last freight and took his last train ride)
Jake will no longer need to travel or escape his problems in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AARON JOSEPH NEVILLE, ART NEVILLE, CHARLES NEVILLE, CYRIL GARRETT NEVILLE, JOEL ROUX NEVILLE, RENARD JOSEPH POCHE, TONY HALL, WILLIE III GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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