Search - Mink Deville :: Cabretta / Return to Magenta

Brilliant 60s-flavored late-70s New York soul

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 06/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though Mink DeVille toured with the likes of Elvis Costello in the late 70s, their music derived much more from the latin-flavored pop soul of 1960s New York than the angry sounds of London circa 1978.With Phil Spector's arranger Jack Nitzche on board as producer, Willy DeVille and his band turned out two superb LPs before DeVille split up the band and relocated (temporarily) to France. This two-fer CD contains both original LPs.The debut mixes DeVille's letter-perfect Brill Building song constructions with a cover (Barry & Greenwich's "Little Girl") and titles from the pen of Moon Martin ("Gunslinger" and "Cadillac Walk"). Throughout, Nitzche recreates some of the highlights of the Spector sound (lots of castanets!), but without the modulating mass of instruments. DeVille's singing stretches an amazing range of tough to tender, and the band kicks in with some great instrumental backing.The followup LP isn't as strong as the debut, though it reaches some of the same heights. The ballads, "Guardian Angel," "Just Your Friend," and "I Broke That Promise" are, in particular, quite moving."

Strong and sweetly romatic songs with street tough touches

Randy J. White | 05/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first heard Cadillac Walk on the radio I knew that Blues/Rock powerful force had to be in my collection. Other surprises include She's so Tough and Spanish Stroll. You will listen again and again and not get tired of Willeys magic and mastery of music !"

If you never heard Willy, sorry for you

annommonis | Phoenix, Az, Arizona United States | 10/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are two great albums. If you like your Rock and Roll raw and gritty, with a touch of class, then check out Mink (Willy) De Ville... you won't be sorry, you'll probably wind up buying everything else he ever did."