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.
The Dealer
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
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We all got a hand to play, ain't no backin' down
Aces up your sleeve, they ain't gonna do you no good
But the joker's still in play and it just might come your way
Listen to me, don't you hear what I say?
Can't you hear what I say, can't you hear what I say?
Listen to me, don't you hear what I say?
I was holdin' a 10 of diamonds but I wanted a ace
People all around the world goin' through changes
Look me straight in my face
Said I just called to show you, some people never satisfied
Wanna trade hands with me little brother
See if you can stay alive?
Listen to me, don't you hear what I say?
Can't you hear what I say, can't you hear what I say?
Listen to me, don't you hear what I say?
We're lookin' at the judgment day
[Incomprehensible] brothers and sisters
Can they mess 'em around
Pullin’ the wool over their eyes
But the Dealer, we can't fool 'coz He put the cards into play
And He know what me and you are holdin' all the time
Listen to me, don't you hear what I say?
Can't you hear what I say, can't you hear what I say?
Listen to me, don't you hear what I say
'Coz we're lookin' at the Judgment Day comin’ down
The Neville Brothers' song The Dealer talks about life as a game of cards. Every person has a hand to play, and there's no backing down. The lyrics suggest that each person ought to be true to themselves, no matter how challenging life can get. Holding cards with potential, like an Ace up one's sleeve, may not necessarily help one win, and it's always possible to lose everything if one is not careful. The "Dealer" mentioned in the song is God, who ultimately decides one's fate.
The song's lyrics encourage listeners to be resilient and stay true to themselves, even in the face of adversity. They suggest that some people are never satisfied with what they have, and it's always wise to evaluate one's position before making any moves. The "Judgment Day" mentioned in the lyrics is an allusion to the biblical concept that every soul will be judged by God on the last day.
In general, The Dealer is a reflection on human nature and how people deal with life's struggles. The lyrics urge people to remain hopeful and find the courage to overcome difficulties, no matter what cards they hold.
Line by Line Meaning
Cards on the table and they facin’ down
We are all in this game of life with our own set of circumstances.
We all got a hand to play, ain't no backin' down
We can't run away from our problems, we have to face them head-on.
Aces up your sleeve, they ain't gonna do you no good
Tricks and deceit won't help us in the long run.
But the joker's still in play and it just might come your way
We can never know what unexpected surprises or obstacles we may encounter.
Listen to me, don't you hear what I say?
Pay attention and listen to my warning.
Can't you hear what I say, can't you hear what I say?
Why aren't you listening to me?
We're lookin' at the Judgment Day
We are all accountable for our actions and will face consequences.
I was holdin' a 10 of diamonds but I wanted a ace
We may always want more, even when we already have enough.
People all around the world goin' through changes
Everyone experiences personal growth and transformation at some point in their lives.
Said I just called to show you, some people never satisfied
Some people will always want more and never be content.
Wanna trade hands with me little brother
Do you think that you could handle my problems?
See if you can stay alive?
Could you survive in my shoes?
Brothers and sisters, can they mess 'em around
We must be wary of those who try to take advantage of our vulnerability.
Pullin’ the wool over their eyes
Deceiving and manipulating others for personal gain.
But the Dealer, we can't fool 'coz He put the cards into play
We can't cheat fate or escape the consequences of our choices.
And He know what me and you are holdin' all the time
The universe knows our true intentions and character.
'Coz we're lookin' at the Judgment Day comin’ down
We will all face the repercussions of our actions, sooner or later.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ART NEVILLE, ARTHEL H. NEVILLE, IAN CHRISTOPHER NEVILLE, LISA LOUISE RHODES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind