Highly under rated - This CD has a diverse set of music around a common theme. It s great music and thought provoking social commentary at the same time. One of my all time favorites.
Socially conscious and sonically profound - There s a lot of references to family on this record. They re not just talking about their own brotherhood, but that of the world. The title is a Biblical reference--and a moral dilemma. Are we our brothers keepers? Listen to the music to hear this legendary group s answers. The music s heart wrenching and uplifting. Another great job by a legendary family that I d call brothers of my heart.
Our sons and daughters from New Orleans - It s the Saturday of the week of Hurricane Katrina. I was listening to the community radio station in Boulder/Denver last night, KGNU.org. And I heard the most stunning song, that I came to learn was Sons and Daughters from Brother s Keeper.I came to this site, and appreciated what the reviewer Tyler from Denver said about the song, how it s an indictment of indifference to the rifts in society that could one day blow it apart.It appears that day has arrived.Thankfully we have artists like the Neville Brothers to help us through. I m looking forward to hearing this entire CD.
Passes the test with flying colors - I test music purchases in a simple way. You hear 1 good song, think about buying, but too many things just have 1 good cut. 2 good songs, OK, maybe a good bet, worth a shot. 3 good songs, drop down your hard earned money. Any more than that, you better not wait it might go out of print. With Brother Blood, Sons & Daughters My Brothers Keeper, and the absolutely great Fearless, this is a must buy.
Musically diverse, socially aware, spiritually alive - As the title suggests, Brother s Keeper mixes social awareness and messages of hope and tolerance with the Neville Brothers usual eclectic collection of grooves. It s music that you can dance and sing to, but it also makes you aware that there s a world out there that isn t always pretty. And it urges the listener to get involved in that world.The best example of socially aware funk is Brother Jake, which laments the death of a character claimed by the streets. It rocks powerfully, with a gospel tinge, but there s nothing mindless about it. It s a strong portrait of a tough world that takes lives.Sons and Daughters tiptoes toward rap. Charles Neville s powerful oration warns us not to forsake the young people, our lifeblood, whom he says are being led to the slaughter. It s an indictment of indifference to the rifts in society that could one day blow it apart. At the end it strays from the spoken word, mixing in a spare, powerful guitar and Charles voice rising toward song with the words, You can t stop/running water/You can t hide/the fire that burns inside...There s also balladry that gives Aaron Neville a chance to display his unique sense of soul and his wonderful falsetto, in Fearless. Jah delivers a reggae feel, and the title cut blends another testimony by Charles with the biblical admonition to be my brother s keeper, though he be strong or weaker. I got to lend a helping hand.For straight-ahead gospel, there s Steer Me Right, which shows off the band s on-the-money harmonies and straight-from-the-gut emotion.Listening to a Neville Brothers release is like dropping by on a warm Friday evening to hang out with a great group of friends who are never boring and who have a million ways to deliver a point. This is a neglected release, but it shouldn t be. Pick it up and enjoy a few grooves packed with a message.