FOUR-MAN RUSH : You Haven’t Seen True Grit Until You’ve Seen the Neville Brothers at Play

How would you like to place a Super Bowl Sunday bet on a team that is virtually guaranteed to play with power, exuberance, intelligence, deft mobility, an amazingly varied attack and supreme cohesion?

The tip here is to save the cash you might be inclined to risk on the Redskins or the Bills, and put it on the Neville Brothers. If past performance holds true, this definitive New Orleans band’s postgame concert Sunday night at the Coach House figures to be a winner for anyone with a taste for propulsive rhythm and enchanting harmony.

The Nevilles’ four-brother lineup has been intact since 1975, but the family name has been associated with fine music since 1955, when oldest brother Art debuted singing a zesty ditty called “Mardi Gras Mambo” with a band called the Hawkettes.

At 53, Art is a steady, low-keyed presence on keyboards, supplying rolling piano rhythms and warm mid-range vocals. Cyril, the youngest Neville at 43, is the band’s fiery spark, churning the rhythms with his conga patterns, and taking the vocal lead in a husky soul-shout voice equally suited to politicized anthems and buoyant, traditional Mardi Gras party tunes. Charles, 52, is the jazz-leaning Neville, blowing bop-flavored sax solos from under his ever-present beret. Aaron, 50, is the band’s sublime spirit (even though his muscular build and impassive game-face make him look more like a linebacker). His tenor voice--pure, controlled, fluttering with the freedom of a butterfly--is one of pop music’s wonders.

Backing up the brothers is a fine second line, with longtime drummer Willie Green, bassist Tony Hall, lead guitarist Eric Strothers and new addition Val McCallum on rhythm guitar.

Given his vocal gifts, it’s not surprising that Aaron Neville has emerged as the Neville most recognizable to fans not well acquainted with the band’s work. Aaron was the featured duet singer on Linda Ronstadt’s hit album, “Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind.” Together, Neville and Ronstadt received consecutive Grammys for best pop vocal by a duo or group, winning with “Don’t Know Much” in 1990 and “All My Life” in 1991. Now Aaron’s solo album, “Warm Your Heart,” is nominated for a Grammy for best male pop vocal performance.

While his singing remains as pure as ever, most of Aaron’s solo album is disappointing. It offers a good, polished pop performance but lacks the special funk and grit of the New Orleans sound--something that the Neville Brothers as a full unit have always been able to provide.

A new Nevilles album is in the works and set for June release by A&M; Records. But it’s live that all of it really comes together: four distinct musical personalities, more than 30 years of family musical history, and a range of themes and styles that takes in reggae, pure soul, jazz and gospel, Professor Longhair party romps and passionate statements about racial injustice.

Who: Neville Brothers.

When: Sunday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m.

Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

Whereabouts: San Diego Freeway to the San Juan Creek Road exit. Left onto Camino Capistrano. The Coach House is in the Esplanade Plaza.

Wherewithal: $28.50.

Where to call: (714) 496-8930.