Since he first cracked the top 40 in 1966 with “Tell It Like It Is” (a No. 1 R&B hit; top five on the Hot 100), Aaron Neville’s gossamer tenor has been one of nature’s great wonders. And on his second gospel release—which follows 2000’s Grammy Award-nominated Devotion—the voice remains nothing short of angelic. Veteran producer Barry Beckett lends letter-perfect instrumental restraint throughout, wisely letting nothing compete with Neville’s thrilling, singular interpretations of a set heavy with standards from a head-spinning array of genres. Straight choral gospel (“Oh Happy Day”), dead-on ’60s soul (“A Change Is Gonna Come”), bubbling zydeco (“I Saw the Light”), shimmering pop balladry (“The Lord’s Prayer”), and a divine, other-worldly “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” all contribute
mightily to this transcendently
beautiful work.—GE
