ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD
''ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD''
MAY 8 2012
51:51
1. New Horizon/4:49
2. Fired Up!/5:44
3. Left My Heart in Memphis/3:29
4. Moonlight Over the Mississippi/3:45
5. Fire On the Mountain/4:56
6. Ways About You/4:40
7. Gotta Keep Rockin'/4:39
8. Nowhere to Hide/2:44
9. Hurts My Heart/4:14
10. Sweet Jelly Donut/5:44
11. All Around the World/3:12
12. Brotherhood/3:52
Devon Allman /Guitar, Vocals
Cyril Neville /Percussion, Vocals
Yonrico Scott /Drums
Charlie Wooton /Bass
Mike Zito /Guitar, Vocals
REVIEW
by Hal Horowitz
This blues-roots rock supergroup of sorts features musicians bred, if not always born, in the South. The only real royalty would be singer/songwriter/percussionist Cyril Neville, who shares lead vocals with younger but still established blues-rock journeymen guitarists Mike Zito and Devon Allman. Bassist Charlie Wooton from Zydefunk and ex-Derek Trucks drummer Yonrico Scott comprise the solid rhythm section rounding out this quintet. With all this instrumental and vocal firepower, the musical possibilities of mixing Neville's familial, funky New Orleans swamp with Zito's soulful blues and Allman's tougher rock are enticing. While there is plenty to whet your appetite, there is a surprising lack of top-quality songs for these guys to dig into. A few corkers such as the Latin-tinged "Fired Up!" and the rubbery groove of "Moonlight Over the Mississippi," both sung by Neville, and Zito's terrific ballad "Ways About You" show the band can coalesce around a great tune. The problem is there just aren't enough of them. Zito, Neville, and Allman write the bulk of the material in various combinations but tunes such as "Gotta Keep Rockin'" and "Hurts My Heart" are as simplistic as their titles. Going outside to cover the Dead's reggae-tinged "Fire on the Mountain" -- the album's only non-original -- makes sense and it's an inspired performance, especially by the always impressive Neville, whose traditionally gutsy singing is the band's secret weapon. But an aimless Santana-styled closing instrumental jam credited to all the members is filler, something first albums should not have. In concert the three songwriters can fall back on their own catalogs to pick and choose quality tunes, and the sheer instrumental talents of the players carry them through. Yet compositionally, this is a tentative debut that shows tons of promise but feels rushed and not completely baked. Some tough guitar soloing and Jim Gaines' always professional production keeps the sound hot, but with the enormous potential of the members, it's disappointing. Perhaps with some roadwork and more time together the next release will fulfill the Brotherhood's possibilities.
BIOGRAPHY
by Steve Leggett
The Royal Southern Brotherhood is a Southern rock, blues, R&B, and soul supergroup of sorts, with a pedigree that is pretty impressive. For one, the group's main singer is the amazing Cyril Neville of Meters and Neville Brothers fame. Guitarist Devon Allman is the son of Gregg Allman of the legendary Allman Brothers Band. Guitarist Mike Zito has had a critically acclaimed blues guitar history of his own, while bassist Charlie Wooton played in Zydefunk and Yonrico Scott has been the drummer for Derek Trucks and other high-profile acts. It's a pretty good resumé for a new band. The Royal Southern Brotherhood released a self-titled debut album with Ruf Records in 2012.
''ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD''
MAY 8 2012
51:51
1. New Horizon/4:49
2. Fired Up!/5:44
3. Left My Heart in Memphis/3:29
4. Moonlight Over the Mississippi/3:45
5. Fire On the Mountain/4:56
6. Ways About You/4:40
7. Gotta Keep Rockin'/4:39
8. Nowhere to Hide/2:44
9. Hurts My Heart/4:14
10. Sweet Jelly Donut/5:44
11. All Around the World/3:12
12. Brotherhood/3:52
Devon Allman /Guitar, Vocals
Cyril Neville /Percussion, Vocals
Yonrico Scott /Drums
Charlie Wooton /Bass
Mike Zito /Guitar, Vocals
REVIEW
by Hal Horowitz
This blues-roots rock supergroup of sorts features musicians bred, if not always born, in the South. The only real royalty would be singer/songwriter/percussionist Cyril Neville, who shares lead vocals with younger but still established blues-rock journeymen guitarists Mike Zito and Devon Allman. Bassist Charlie Wooton from Zydefunk and ex-Derek Trucks drummer Yonrico Scott comprise the solid rhythm section rounding out this quintet. With all this instrumental and vocal firepower, the musical possibilities of mixing Neville's familial, funky New Orleans swamp with Zito's soulful blues and Allman's tougher rock are enticing. While there is plenty to whet your appetite, there is a surprising lack of top-quality songs for these guys to dig into. A few corkers such as the Latin-tinged "Fired Up!" and the rubbery groove of "Moonlight Over the Mississippi," both sung by Neville, and Zito's terrific ballad "Ways About You" show the band can coalesce around a great tune. The problem is there just aren't enough of them. Zito, Neville, and Allman write the bulk of the material in various combinations but tunes such as "Gotta Keep Rockin'" and "Hurts My Heart" are as simplistic as their titles. Going outside to cover the Dead's reggae-tinged "Fire on the Mountain" -- the album's only non-original -- makes sense and it's an inspired performance, especially by the always impressive Neville, whose traditionally gutsy singing is the band's secret weapon. But an aimless Santana-styled closing instrumental jam credited to all the members is filler, something first albums should not have. In concert the three songwriters can fall back on their own catalogs to pick and choose quality tunes, and the sheer instrumental talents of the players carry them through. Yet compositionally, this is a tentative debut that shows tons of promise but feels rushed and not completely baked. Some tough guitar soloing and Jim Gaines' always professional production keeps the sound hot, but with the enormous potential of the members, it's disappointing. Perhaps with some roadwork and more time together the next release will fulfill the Brotherhood's possibilities.
BIOGRAPHY
by Steve Leggett
The Royal Southern Brotherhood is a Southern rock, blues, R&B, and soul supergroup of sorts, with a pedigree that is pretty impressive. For one, the group's main singer is the amazing Cyril Neville of Meters and Neville Brothers fame. Guitarist Devon Allman is the son of Gregg Allman of the legendary Allman Brothers Band. Guitarist Mike Zito has had a critically acclaimed blues guitar history of his own, while bassist Charlie Wooton played in Zydefunk and Yonrico Scott has been the drummer for Derek Trucks and other high-profile acts. It's a pretty good resumé for a new band. The Royal Southern Brotherhood released a self-titled debut album with Ruf Records in 2012.
