MINK DEVILLE > Live at Montreux 1982

The most soulful band to emerge from NYC’s punk/new wave haven C.B.G.B.s exported its noir urban rock and soul to the Montreux stage for about an hour in 1982. Frontman/auteur Willy DeVille, who would soon jettison the Mink moniker, exudes a nonchalant cool throughout, sweating his way through 15 tracks cherry picked from the four albums the act had released at that time.Label: Eagle Rock
[Rating: 4 stars]

The most soulful band to emerge from NYC’s punk/new wave haven C.B.G.B.s exported its noir urban rock and soul to the Montreux stage for about an hour in 1982. Frontman/auteur Willy DeVille, who would soon jettison the Mink moniker, exudes a nonchalant cool throughout, sweating his way through 15 tracks cherry picked from the four albums the act had released at that time. The band, arguably at its peak, is tighter than the singer’s black pants. They skillfully support DeVille who glides, swaggers and puffs cigarettes like a displaced James Dean. Louis Cortelezzi’s wailing sax and Kenny Margolis’ keyboards vibes and accordion bring the ‘60s r&b streetlight shadows as DeVille finger snaps and Spanish strolls with chiseled tenement charm. A set closing cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” caps this exciting performance-the only live visual document of this group available and minimally marred by early sound problems and inconsistent camera work. DeVille’s erratic career continues to this day, but this captures a moment when he seemed poised to ascend to greater heights than he ultimately achieved.