Art Neville, founding member of iconic New Orleans bands The Meters, the Neville Brothers, and The Funky Meters, died this week at the age of eighty-one. Neville was a singer, songwriter, and keyboard player. Dr. John, who shipped on upriver last month, introduces this week’s Jam:
Page McConnell formed Vida Blue with Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Dead & Co.) and Russell Batiste (The Funky Meters) while on a break from Phish in 2001. They released their self-titled debut in 2002 and followed that up with The Illustrated Band, on which the Spam Allstars, an Afro-Cuban sextet joined the core trio.
Today, the band announced the September release of its third album, Crossing Lines, and the first single, “Analog Delay.” The announcement indicates that the new album will feature the original lineup with the Spam Allstars. While the overall feel of the band’s first two albums was quite loose, “Analog Delay” suggests a more cohesive approach to showcasing the group’s full textural depth in a more coordinated or focused manner.
Rumors of a fall tour abound. If true, they would represent the band’s first live performances since 2004.
ALDLAND 