Aaron Neville
“Orchid in the Storm”
(Hyena Records)
Joel Dorn’s Hyena Records continues to reissue exquisite gems from the past. This true gem of smooth soul showcases the sweet and dynamic singing of Aaron Neville at a time before he became an over-produced pop product. (Though, it would be nice to have a bit less of the string section at some points.) This album is nearly doubled from 5 to 9 tracks with the addition of bonus material that completes Neville’s 1986 vision of paying tribute to 1950s Soul, Doo-Wop and R&B. The bonus tracks are “Mona Lisa”, “Save the Last Dance for Me”, “Warm your Heart” and “Mickey Mouse March”(!). Neville’s stunning falsetto technique puts him in a league with Sam Cooke and Clyde McPhatter.
