What makes Yellow Moon by The Neville Brothers notable?

Yellow Moon received critical acclaim upon its release, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. The title track has become a staple in their live performances and is emblematic of the band's ability to fuse traditional sounds with contemporary issues, influencing generations of musicians in the New Orleans music scene. Released in 1989, Yellow Moon was the Neville Brothers' fifth studio album and marked a significant moment as they were gaining wider recognition. Following their breakthrough with 1988's 'Uptown,' this album showcased their ability to blend diverse musical influences while deepening their lyrical themes.

Who is Yellow Moon for?

Yellow Moon works well if you're into steady progression with climax, soulful reflective listening experience and long immersive listening sessions.

How many songs are on Yellow Moon?

Yellow Moon has 12 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Yellow Moon

The Neville Brothers · 1989

53 min · 12 tracks · blues

A rich tapestry of soul, funk, and blues woven with heartfelt lyrics and vibrant instrumentation reflecting the essence of New Orleans.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Yellow Moon — The title track encapsulates the album's spirit, featuring haunting melodies that evoke a sense of longing and connection to the mystical.
→
A Change Is Gonna Come — This cover of Sam Cooke’s classic infuses new life into the original, underscoring themes of hope and resilience that resonate deeply within the band’s heritage.
→
Sister Rosa — The song pays tribute to civil rights activist Rosa Parks, blending powerful storytelling with rhythmic grooves that highlight the band's social consciousness.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album combines strong songwriting with vibrant instrumentation, creating a distinct sound reflective of New Orleans.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate rich vocal harmonies from the brothers, particularly evident in 'Sister Rosa' and 'Wake Up,' which enhance the emotional impact.
The instrumentation varies significantly across tracks, with the use of horns and percussion adding layers to the sound, especially in 'Voodoo' and 'Healing Chant.'

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady progression with climax
soulful reflective listening experience
long immersive listening sessions
contemplative evening moods

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1989, Yellow Moon was the Neville Brothers' fifth studio album and marked a significant moment as they were gaining wider recognition. Following their breakthrough with 1988's 'Uptown,' this album showcased their ability to blend diverse musical influences while deepening their lyrical themes.
Stylistic neighbors: The Meters· Dr. John· Allen Toussaint