Aaron Neville is one of the modern age's great voices. He can sing anything he likes and make it sound like poetry. Yet having Don Was (now the president of Blue Note Records, which issued this) and Keith Richards come in and produce these sessions guaranteed that the music here would be sympathetic to Neville's R&B requirements. The team insisted that the songs be of top quality and have a historical heft worthy of Neville's pedigree; the tracks lean toward doo-wop in most cases. Right from the start of Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters' "Money Honey," the drums snap with the no-nonsense feel of a vintage recording where bands play live (or as close to as possible) in the studio and very little sweetening is added to finish a record. Hank Ballard & The Midnighters' "Work with Me Annie" throws brother Art onto organ. Little Anthony & The Imperials' "Tears on My Pillow" sports a timeless melody that still has plenty of room for Neville to roam. The Ronettes' "Be My Baby" and Curtis Mayfield's "Gypsy Woman" have never sounded fresher.