POP MUSIC REVIEW : Ivan Neville and Band at the Roxy

It might be too much to ask for Ivan Neville to make music as spirited as the Neville Brothers--New Orleans’ musical first family made up of Ivan’s father and uncles. But you’d at least expect a Neville Nephew to make music you could dance to.

It wasn’t so Thursday at the Roxy, where the touted singer/keyboardist/guitarist made his local debut with his band the Room, showcasing songs from the coming LP “If My Ancestors Could See Me Now.” It wasn’t until midway through the 75-minute set that a significant number of booties started shaking, and they soon stopped until near the show’s conclusion.

The material, falling somewhere between the workmanlike rock/pop of Huey Lewis and the funk/metal hybrid of Living Colour, was characterized primarily by plodding tempos, while Neville, sporting dreadlocks and shades, projected little charisma. Even soulful duets with Bonnie Raitt (a couple of years ago Neville led Padlock, a Los Angeles club band that also served as Raitt’s backup group) and proud papa Aaron Neville generated few sparks. Kid bro’ Jason Neville, who sang on a couple of numbers, brought a welcome, goofy character to the stage.

Ivan Neville has a good, though limited, voice--a rougher and deeper contrast to his dad’s sweet pipes. And if the band would just pick up the pace it might be enough to get some of the songs over the hump--especially given Nick Daniels’ solid bass and Val McCallum’s screaming metal lead guitar work. But as it was Thursday, Neville’s got a ways to go to really do right by his ancestors.