Neville Brothers ride the groove

The Neville Brothers' music is so focused on the backbeat that without it, it seems the music would fly apart. Yet the nine men on stage at Jannus Landing on Saturday night played as if they were in each other's pockets.

Opening with Hey Pocky Way and Fire on the Bayou, the Nevilles set the stage for the audience. Originals, traditional tunes and select covers propel the Nevilles. One of the most eerily comforting sounds in pop music is Aaron Neville's voice. Sounding like the wind crossed with an angel, Neville caresses some of the finest songs in pop with his clear, velvet tones. When he sings Everybody Plays the Fool, the rue and laughter in his voice makes the pain a little more bearable.

The Nevilles' cover choices are impeccable. Dobie Gray's Drift Away and Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine are two of the richest soul songs in the repertoire, and Aaron caresses them as if they were children.

His three brothers, Art, Charles and Cyril, are distinctive singers and instrumentalists with the natural-sounding harmonies of brothers. At least three rhythm instruments go at a time when the Nevilles play, and often four or five. The rhythm gives the band a base to stand on and fly from.

In their closing number, Amazing Grace/One Love, Aaron's voice echoed over the crowd as the band started to rev up its reggae chops, mixing them with tango beats for a jambalaya of rhythm.

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