Aaron Neville Busy with Recording Projects

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Most singers are satisfied with one album to work on at a time. Aaron Neville has three, which means that "2010 is going to be a stellar year," the New Orleans native says.

The first one out is likely to be Neville's third gospel album, which he's working on with producer Joe Henry. "We're doing a lot of traditional-type stuff and some old stuff," Neville says. "We might stick a couple of Sam Cooke songs on there, maybe the Staple Singers, Mahalia (Jackson) ... Mostly it's going to be old-time music, though. (Henry) sent me a lot of stuff, so we'll see."

Meanwhile, Neville is working with Allen Toussaint on a project that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the singer's 1960 solo debut, which Toussaint produced. "I write a lot of poetry," Neville says. "I've been giving him poetry and he's been putting music to it."

Also on the docket: a covers collaboration with Dr. John that will involve "old stuff me and him grew up listening to," including staples like "Stormy Monday," "Misty," "Stardust" and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes."

Deals and release dates are still being determined on all of the projects, Neville says.

And he's not ruling out a new Neville Brothers album, the group's first since 2004. "We've been talking about it, trying to get material together and see where everyone's at," he says. "It's just in the beginning stages, so something will happen, I'm sure."