SONG OF THE DAY Art Neville – Arabian Love Call

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It’s only been a week, but seven days away from music feels like forever and its good to be back!! Tonight I return with a little ear delight called Arabian Love Call, by an artist called Art Neville!

Influenced by the R&B styles of James Booker, Bill Doggett, Fats Domino, Booker T.Jones, Lloyd Glenn and Professor Longhair, Arthur Lanon Neville – better known as Art Neville – was an American soul and r’n’b keyboardist and vocalist. His impressive musical career extended over nearly seven decades and in that time Neville was also a founding member of The Meters and The Neville Brothers.

Also a prolific songwriter, Art Neville was known by many as “Poppa Funk” and started out in music whilst at high school when he joined a group called the Hawketts in 1953. Just a year later, at age 17, he sang lead vocals on the Hawketts’ version of a country tune called Mardi Gras Mambo, which soon became a carnival classic!!.

With its very contagious Ya,Ya,Ya,Ya hook line,  Arabian Love Call was Art Neville’s third single, released in 1958 on American’s Specialty label. It’s a little bit funky, with Neville’s soulful vocals stealing the show. I don’t know many of his songs, but this one stands out for me! Check it out above.