Mink DeVille - Cabretta flac album

There is music that is cool and then there is music that is so cool it comes down to us from on high. Such is the music by Mink DeVille, more to the point, the music of Willy DeVille, whom I'm pleased to know as a friend.These tunes are not for everyone, but the influence this man has had is far reaching, touching both the great and near great, including Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp. You may first have become aquatinted with the music known as Spanish Stroll when the Rolling Stones covered ‘Under The Boardwalk’ back in the 60’s. And if you were at all like me, you soon discovered the Drifters and their use of simple chords and striking lyrics. For me these sounds, these concepts, the values and stories came from nowhere I recognized, yet seemed to be part of the lexicon of my developing life.In Bruce’s early works he flatly hits us with “Hey Spanish Johnny, you wanna’ make a little easy money tonight?” or “Those romantic young boys, all they every wanna’ do is fight.” Then Bruce ups it a notch and turns these tunes into full fledged operas. The point is, music known as Spanish Stroll and its stories of love, dressing just right, the breathless beauty of a woman, or of a deeply broken heart all happening while dressed in finely tailored clothes, with hair combed beyond perfection. Ahhh, you’re getting it. The music is about young men, their pride, smoothness, or perceived smoothness with the ladies and the ability to relate these stories with the Latin flavor found only on the streets of New York City. But Ladies, Ladies, Ladies, don’t fret, the music is not mean spirited or of a controlling nature. Willy puts women on a pedestal, regarding and regaling their beauty, pleading with them not to break his heart. These are songs of a hopeless romantic, in love with romance, and the sexual dance that surrounds us all.I’ve seen Willy DeVille twice in the states and once in Paris. The first time I saw him he had a Latin Pompadour, each hair laying perfectly in place. In Europe, where he is huge, his hair was long and flowing. The effect was emphasized by a small fan that keep his hair in constant motion, in stark contrast to a bold posturing stance, one hand in his pocket, a gold chain looped to his belt and a tight white mussel shirt. There he stood like some modern day Zeus, ‘another runner in the night’ artfully laying out song after song, without ego, with just the purity of his Latin culture and experience. Sadly I had to end my relation with this great artist becaus of his substance addiction, but I hear he's cleaned up, and playing again ... perhaps a phone call is in order.His band drives hard, picks up on his cues, and has the feel of steam rising from a hot street after a short summer thunder storm. Patti Smith digs the man and the famous song writer, Doc Pomus had nothing but praise for him. Willy road the punk wave, though there is nothing punk about him. As with many artists, he just had a tireless 4/4 time that rolled along and got categorized simply because he played at the club CBGB. He had two other major bands before the realization of Mink DeVille, they were Billy De Sade and the Lazy Eights. I have only heard a few songs from the Lazy Eights and the direction he was taking was more then evident.Each song sounds as if it could be the sound track to a movie, with flawless lyrics, stong smooth vocals and Will’s magnificent renditions. The songs jump, but most have a cool slow groove with a late 50’s early 60’s feel that is now timeless with his interpretation. You’ll dig his work, both on ‘Cabretta’ and ‘Return To magenta.’ If you are unfamiliar with his productions, and want only the cream, songs that will not let you down in the least, I would suggest that you start with Venus Of Avenue D, Mixed Up Shook Up Girl, Cadillac Walk, Spanish Stroll, Soul Twist, ‘A’ Train Lady, Rolene and Easy Slider.’Go on, jump a turnstile, grab a seat at the end of the car, pump a little extra bass on your iPod, settle back and enjoy the scenery from the elevated ‘A’ Train ... honestly, it will take you straight to High Street.Review by Jenell Kesler

The label on mine is purple.

This is a version (UK reprint) of this album http://www.discogs.com/Mink-DeVille-Cabretta/master/49098