The group notion started in 1976, when the four brothers of the Neville family, Art (1937-2019), Charles (1938β2018), 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.
River of Life
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It'll show you the way, don't lose sight
You run with the river, flow with the river of life
When you're out on your own, in the cold all alone
Follow the river, it'll carry you home
Runnin' with the river, flowin' with the river of life
Not lookin' for trouble, don't wanna fight
The strong survive and the weak get beat
Stay out of the kitchen if you can't take the heat
Stand up like a man and take it
When the cards fall the winner takes all
This is life you can't fake it
Hear the voice in the night, it's your guide shinin' bright
It'll show you the way, don't lose sight
Runnin' with the river, flowin' with the river of life
Runnin' with the river, flowin' with the river of life
Livin' tough, lovin' hard - you know it's livin' fast
How long will your life, or your money last
You got to learn to survive if you wanna last
Look to the spirit that'll guide your path
'Cause livin' in the city can be mighty cruel
Hear the voice in the night, it's your guide shinin' bright
It'll show you the way, don't lose sight
Runnin' with the river, flowin' with the river of life
Runnin' with the river, flowin' with the river of life
Conscience has to make a choice, when the maker speaks, heed his voice
Tremble and shiver, flow with the river of life
When you're out on your own, in the cold all alone
Follow the river, it'll carry you home
Runnin' with the river, flowin' with the river of life
Runnin' with the river, flowin' with the river of life
Runnin' - flowin' - runnin' - flowin'
Runnin' with the river, flowin' with the river of life
The song "River of Life" by The Neville Brothers talks about the journey of life and its various aspects. The lyrics remind us that there are guiding forces in this world that can help us navigate through life's ups and downs, especially during times of hardship and uncertainty. The voice in the night that is referred to is a metaphor for that guiding force. It represents one's inner voice, intuition, or perhaps even a divine force that is trying to guide us to the right path.
The song also touches on the importance of perseverance and resilience is life. It reminds us that life can be difficult at times, and the strong are the ones who can weather the storm and come out on top. In contrast, those who are weak or give up easily get beaten down by life. The river that is mentioned in the song serves as a metaphor for life. It can carry us to our destination, but we also have to learn to flow with it and not fight against it.
Furthermore, the song highlights the importance of morality and ethics. Conscience has to make a choice, and it's essential to heed the voice of the maker. This line refers to the importance of being guided by one's moral compass and doing what is right, even when it's hard. In a world that can be cruel, living in harmony with oneself and others is the best way to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear the voice in the night, it's your guide shinin' bright
Listen to your inner voice that will light up your path.
It'll show you the way, don't lose sight
Never lose focus on where you want to go.
You run with the river, flow with the river of life
Go with the flow of life and adapt to the changes.
When you're out on your own, in the cold all alone
When you are in solitude and feeling lost, trust the river.
Follow the river, it'll carry you home
Follow your intuition that will lead you to where you belong.
Enjoyin' life's sights
Relax and appreciate the beauty around you.
Not lookin' for trouble, don't wanna fight
Avoid conflicts and live peacefully.
The strong survive and the weak get beat
Life is tough and only the strong can endure.
Stay out of the kitchen if you can't take the heat
Avoid situations that you cannot handle.
Stand up like a man and take it
Face your challenges head-on and be resilient.
When the cards fall the winner takes all
Life is a game and the one who can handle it wins.
This is life you can't fake it
You cannot pretend to live a life that is not true to you.
Livin' tough, lovin' hard - you know it's livin' fast
Life is experienced with an intense range of emotions that makes it go by quickly.
How long will your life, or your money last
Life is uncertain and so is money. Cherish both.
You got to learn to survive if you wanna last
Learn to adapt and survive through the challenges.
Look to the spirit that'll guide your path
Trust the guidance of your inner spirit.
'Cause livin' in the city can be mighty cruel
Living in the city can be tough and challenging.
Conscience has to make a choice, when the maker speaks, heed his voice
Listen to your moral instinct and follow the right path.
Tremble and shiver, flow with the river of life
Accept the situations that shake you and let life take its course.
Runnin' - flowin' - runnin' - flowin'
Life is a cycle of running and flowing.
Runnin' with the river, flowin' with the river of life
Be in harmony with life and let it take you where you are meant to go.
Contributed by Sarah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
djclay33
Sooooooo good....ππ€π€π€
Promised Land Radio
THE BEAT, EVEN WHEN BEING REMADE, ALWAYS RETURNS TO THE ONE.
Jerry Turner
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anitadavideduo
Boom!