TV Reviews : Neville Brothers and Friends on Cinemax Show

Any television special that offers Ed Bradley singing “Sixty Minute Man”--and getting down with his bad self, as they say, in the process--would be essential viewing.

That’s the least of the reasons, though, to tune in “The Neville Brothers: Tell It Like It Is,” an episode of “Cinemax Sessions” that puts the New Orleans rock/R&B;/reggae family band together with a host of pop talents, some even more musically gifted than the “60 Minutes” journalist. (The show premieres on Cinemax at 10 p.m. Sunday, with repeat airings Wednesday, next Saturday and May 29.)

Certainly there’s enough talent spread around between Art, Aaron, Charles and Cyril Neville (not to mention Aaron’s son, Ivan, who sings his minor hit, “Falling Out of Love”) that an hourlong special could barely begin to offer a glimmer. Inviting almost a dozen guest stars to share the spotlight is too much cramming; the parade of duet partners--as well as, one suspects, the cameras and glare of the lights--prevents the Nevilles from building up as hot a head of concert steam as fans are accustomed to.

Yet aside from the appearance by actor Dennis Quaid (who genially croaks out his own “Closer to You,” from “The Big Easy”), there are few guest shots here you’d want to do without. John Hiatt, Buckwheat Zydeco, the Dixie Cups, Bonnie Raitt, Gregg Allman, Jimmy Buffett, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Daniel Lanois (producer of the band’s beautiful new album) and even Bradley all put in all-too-brief cameos. Herbie Hancock served as musical director.

Despite the condensation, novices can find ample example of what makes the Nevilles legends. Hearing the voice of an angel come out of the body of a football player, in the form of Aaron (who sings his mid-’60s hit title song, among many others), is still an incongruous revelation, and his three siblings all shine as bright instrumentally. If only the show lasted more than, uh, 60 minutes, man.