Album : Mink DeVille – Coup De Grace

 

Willy DeVille was like a character off those early Springsteen records. Mink DeVille was joined at the hip with Bruce and the E Streeters, Garland Jeffries, Lou Reed, South Side Johnny and the Asbury Jukes…. I think you get the idea. Same street vibe. New York City feel. I think they were drawing from the same musical well. Street romantics.

The first time i was exposed to this music was on some late night concert show I lucked into. If ever a guy suited his music it was Willy. His look, his voice his cock-sureness. He was his music. He sings with lots of soul, guts, love and emotion. One of the cuts on the album is titled ‘Love and Emotion’ and it’s a killer. He throws in a little accordion. Listen to this cut and you will get an idea what he’s all about.

There’s not a weak cut on the record. Right from the opening cut we are taken into Mink DeVille’s musical world. Lots of that old Drifters sound ‘Up On The Roof’ ‘Under The Boardwalk’ and that era in the mix. Lots of great sax breaks (which you know CB likes) But he puts his spin on it and makes it his music. You can hear Otis on ‘Teardrops Must Fall’. He does an Authur Alexander song ‘You Better Move On’. I didn’t know who Alexander was at the time but I found out thanks to this album (I have a great tribute album to Arthur). So much good music on this record. He rocks out on ‘Love Me Like You did Before’.

This is street corner singin DeVille style. If you like some of the references I’ve made check this out. Willy has a special place in my record pile. This album is romantic with an edge because Willy has an edge. Why it appealed to me. This is timeless music for me. He has lots of other good albums but try this on for size and see if it fits. Even Fred Flintstone and The Grand Poobah like this guy.

You’ve heard the saying “He thinks he’s so cool” well Willy DeVille knew he was cool. He was the real deal. Main thing is his musics is soooo cool. Give it a listen. That’s the tip for today.