Even before Cyril Neville took the stage Thursday evening, his son Omari amped up the crowd with outstanding versions of the Neville Brothers' "Hey Pockey Way" and Dr. John's "Walk On Gilded Splinters."

The crowd was already on their feet dancing when the Cyril walked out, preceded by his horn section. For ninety minutes, Cyril, Omari, and the band entertained a packed house at Fitzgerald's Night Club in Berwyn.

The youngest sibling of the legendary Neville Brothers, Cyril has been recording and touring with his own bands for the past thirty years. Thursday evening, he drew on many of these recordings and the music of others. We heard covers of songs such as Professor Longhair's "Tipitina" and Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Proud Mary." Cyril's arrangement of "Exactly Like You" was more soulful than the famous Frank Sinatra version. He also drew from the Neville Brothers' songbook, including "The Tambourine" and "Brother Jake."

Cyril turned 77 earlier this month, but you would not know it to see his energy as he sang, danced, and soaked in the solos of his backing band.

No matter what this band played, they injected the funkiness we come to expect from a Neville. It was a delightful mix of New Orleans blues, rock, R&B, and funk.

The Neville family has been producing excellent music for decades. That music lives on through the youngest brother, Cyril, and his youngest son, Omari.