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| Ten Thousand Motels |
Neville dives into Dumpsta
New Orleans music royalty says playing funk 'feels good'
Given that he tumbled out of a palm tree and has (let's face it) injected a drug or two in his lifetime, one might be leery of any wisdom dispensed by Keith Richards.
But Ivan Neville says the Rolling Stones' guitarist passed along a simple philosophy he still embraces.
"I've always followed him by example," said Neville, 46. "He would say, 'How dare you not play? Just play.' I've had a lot of experiences with the other things that come along with being a musician and bein' on the road. A lot of drugs and all that s---t. I learned from Keith that the music comes first."
Neville, who plays organ, clavinet and other instruments, gigged and recorded with Richards' band the X-Pensive Winos, not to mention playing on the Stones albums Dirty Work and Voodoo Lounge.
The fact his father is Aaron Neville qualifies him as New Orleans music royalty -- indeed, he first played with the Neville Brothers while still in his mid-teens. His other musical credits include Bonnie Raitt, Robbie Robertson, Gov't Mule and Widespread Panic.
Ivan Neville grappled with serious drug addiction in the late '90s, but overcame it years ago. His latest band is Dumpstaphunk, a seriously cooking funk-rock concoction with his cousin Ian Neville on guitar, drummer Raymond Weber (who played the drummer in the movie Ray) and bassists Tony Hall and Nick Daniels.
Yes, there are two bass players. Sometimes Hall switches to guitar, but the pair often hold down the bottom end simultaneously.
"It's unique, I must say," Neville said. "I love it."
He moved from New Orleans to Austin, Tex., after hurricane Katrina. Neville followed other members of the musical clan, including his uncle Cyril. He still bases himself in Austin, often playing at Antone's and the Lucky Lounge, but returned home to record Dumpstaphunk's first studio album.
A listen to songs on the band's website (www.dumpstaphunk.com) reveals a band of razor-sharp players who know how to deliver dirty, greasy, dance-happy funk. Neville developed a taste for it as a teen, sometimes skipping school to sample his uncle Cyril's huge record collection.
Why funk?
"It feels good, for one thing," he said. "We all love playin' off each other. What makes the funk is the space in between the notes, the little spaces in between. That's where the magic happens."
Neville started tapping at the family piano as a 15-year-old. His parents were well aware of the perils -- financial and otherwise -- of being an itinerant musician. Nonetheless, they let Ivan make up his own mind.
His Funk University started with Neville Brothers gigs, not to mention graduate studies with Richards and Raitt. For a period he experimented with synthesizers, then decided to embrace the more organic sound of the Hammond B-3 and the clav.
Over the past year, Neville met his old friends the Rolling Stones at several U.S. concerts. He still likes to keep in touch with Professor Keith.
"Every chance I get, I give him a holler, you know."
© The Vancouver Province 2006 |
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| FPM C10 |
We went to see them at BB King's after the last MSG show (see: the infamous across-the-street-pouting incident)and they were GREAT. They seriously bring da FONK. A bunch of Rocks Offers were there, including Gazza.
Highlight was when guest star Bernard Fowler sang some Sly & the Family Stone stuff. Lowlight was Bruce "What Key are We In?" Willis playing harp. |
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| jb |
Never enjpoyed anything by Neville Brothers or Aaaron Neville,,,,very overrated imo. |
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| glencar |
I saw them after the MSG concert this year. Quite nice. It was great meeting certain other ROers there. |
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| glencar |
quote:
jb wrote:
Never enjpoyed anything by Neville Brothers or Aaaron Neville,,,,very overrated imo.
I usually like Aaron's voice but it stunk on that Superbowl thing. |
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| Saint Sway |
Ivan Neville is a bad ass talented mofo!
ditto Charley Drayton.
fact, they should both chang their sir names to Bad Ass Mofo. |
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| jb |
He sang that song with Linda Ronstadt...embarrassing...
the 60 sec thing just stopped a quicker response.. |
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| FPM C10 |
quote:
Saint Sway wrote:
Ivan Neville is a bad ass talented mofo!
ditto Charley Drayton.
fact, they should both chang their sir names to Bad Ass Mofo.
You mean "Sir Bad Ass Mofo". Or did you mean "surname"? Either way!
Charley Drayton's grandpa played bass for BILLIE HOLIDAY.
Billie Freakin' Holiday.
That's some credentials there.
It would seem that bad-assiness, like premature gayness, has some genetic determinants. |
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| glencar |
quote:
jb wrote:
He sang that song with Linda Ronstadt...embarrassing...
the 60 sec thing just stopped a quicker response..
Yes, that Fievel Mouskewitz song was horrid. But it did bring a tear to the eye when it was played at a wedding once... |
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| Saint Sway |
quote:
FPM C10 wrote:
You mean "Sir Bad Ass Mofo". Or did you mean "surname"? Either way!
Charley Drayton's grandpa played bass for BILLIE HOLIDAY.
Billie Freakin' Holiday.
That's some credentials there.
It would seem that bad-assiness, like premature gayness, has some genetic determinants.
by his teens Charley was already a big deal musician here in NY and had already cut records with artists. Pretty big deal to be that young and jammin at the Hit Factory and shit.
just super talented. Really great guy too. |
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| twicks1 |
Isn't Charley married to the singer from the Divinyls?
Any Stones fans should check out their last two albums...Charley played drums and the music has a serious Xpensive Winos vibe. Great stuff. |
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| glencar |
The group that did "I Touch Myself"? |
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| Saint Sway |
quote:
twicks1 wrote:
Isn't Charley married to the singer from the Divinyls?
yes. Chrissy. Very cool couple. |
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| twicks1 |
Even if you loathe "I Touch Myself," you should check the Divinyls out. Their guitar and drum sounds are totally Keith & the Winos.
Download "Make Out Alright" or "Bullet" from iTunes, you'll hear what I mean. |
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| glencar |
I never said I loathe the song. They needed a hit & they got one. Great video. |
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| Gazza |
The guitarist looked uncannily like a certain deceased Stones founder member as I remember |
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| glencar |
Yes, but I guess she dumped him for Charley Drayton. Christina Amphill was her name. |
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