Crow Jane Alley

Willy Deville | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Eagle Records
• ASIN: B0002W4T2G
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,935 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Crow Jane Alley is the brand new studio album from Willy DeVille, his first since Horse Of A Different Color in 1999. The album was recorded in LA with producer John Philip Shenale (The Bangles, Tori Amos, Robert Cray) and guest musicians including David Hidalgo of Los Lobos and drummer Joey Waronker (Badly Drawn Boy, Beck, REM, Richard Thompson).

Highlights of the album include the Latin street groove of Chieva and the catchy Come A Little Bit Closer, the heartfelt My Forever Came Today and the uniquely delivered version of Bryan Ferry's Slave To Love.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Return Of Willy, October 4, 2004

By 

Tskogg (Nutley, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crow Jane Alley (Audio CD)

Willy Deville is undeniably the most underrated performer to come out of the CBGB punk scene in the late '70s. While other performers such as the Ramones, Talking Heads and Blondie went on to success (critically if not commercially), Willy DeVille sunk into what seems like permanent career purgatory. And that's a shame because over the last 25 years, Willy and his band, Mink DeVille, created some of the most varied and creative music to ever come out of New York City.
Although it may seem as DeVille had disappeared, he has never stopped releasing records. An extremely popular act in Europe, DeVille concentrated on that market for the last decade or so but now returns stateside with the release of Crow Jane Alley.
Like most of his albums, Crow Jane Alley is a smorgasbord of DeVille delights. From the opening Mexicali rhythms and haunting lyrics of "Chieva" (about DeVille's drug abuse) to the wonderful Drifter's-like ballad "My Forever Came Today" to the incredible cover of Bryan Ferry's "Slave To Love," Willy hits on all cylinders here. He even returns to the down and dirty rock of "Cadillac Walk" with the timely "Trouble Comin' Everyday In A World Gone Wrong."
If for no other reason then years of dedicated (and talented) service to a almost-forgotten past, give Crow Jane Alley a listen.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe his best, October 13, 2004

By 

Gaylen Halbert (Weimar, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crow Jane Alley (Audio CD)

I am a long time Willy/Mink DeVille fan. I believe this album may be his best. I hope the CD is successful commercially if for no other reason than to expose more people to Willy's music. Easily one of the best releases in recent months and a welcome return by Willy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He's back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, November 11, 2004

By 

Richard Rimmer "Rusboy2004" (Johnson City,TN,USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crow Jane Alley (Audio CD)

This is a great return to what Willy did as a solo artist or with Mink DeVille,great ballads,great vocals,and great R and B,granted I really miss songs like Love me like you did before with the great Rock and Roll track.
This is a return to form to me partially because there where many odd things to me about his last release starting with the sweaty rock star photos.I also prefer to hear his songs versus his cover versions.
Having said that I love all of the songs on Crow Jane alley including the two cover songs.
His vocals are great especially on his cover of "Come a little bit closer" and a song I've always loved by Bryan Ferry "Slave to Love" he brings something new to both great songs,both versions are great.I've always hated hearing exact renditions of songs by supposed artists.
The opening song Chieva took a little while and several listens to really appreciate but Right There,Right Then,Downside of Town and My Forever, WOW talk about being revitalised he hit's home runs on all three songs,instant classics all.
I have to say though that my favorite cut on this Cd is (Don't have A)Change of Heart,I don't have any idea how long this song is it might be three minutes I really don't know but it seems like just seconds as you don't want it to stop,in fact I've had not just this Cd on heavy repeat mode on my player but also this song alone I can listen to this song alone for an hour and not get enough.Basically what I'm saying is welcome back Willy,I still have the letter you sent to me when you where in Colorado, Le Chat Blue is still one of my favorite three CD's ever by anyone.Can't wait for your next release.