Spanish Stroll

Willy Deville | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 11, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Raven [Australia]
• ASIN: B000003IWR
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,963 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl

2. Little Girl

3. Venus of Avenue

4. Spanish Stroll

5. Cadillac Walk

6. 'A' Train Lady

7. Just Your Friends

8. I Broke That Promise

9. Just to Walk That Little Girl Home

10. This Must Be the Night

11. Savoir Faire

12. Just Give Me one Good Reason

13. Maybe Tomorrow

14. You Better Move On

15. Each Word's A Beat of My Heart

16. Italian Shoes

17. Pride & Joy

18. I Must Be Dreaming

19. In the Heart of the City

20. Could You Would You?

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A WAY UNDERRATED TALENT, November 12, 2001

By 

Patrick Earley (Edmond, Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spanish Stroll (Audio CD)

I love this album! Spanish Stroll is a virtual treasure trove of fantastic R&B music that's done with a Latino twist, and a whole lotta soul. Deville is another one of those hard luck story coulda, shoulda, woulda artists that, after you here this great Best Of comp, wonder what the heck happened? Mink Deville's story began in San Francisco, where they managed to go nowhere fast with their style of music. So he moved his band from San Fran to New York, and found minor success playing the leather bar and lounge circuit with the punk and new wave acts that were so popular in N.Y. at the time. Deville may have looked the part with the pink zoot suit and pencil thin mustache, but this guy was no new waver, and definitly not a punk. He's an accomplished songwriter and an excellent singer who, in my opinion, had an influence on the east coast heavyweights like Southside Johnny and even Springsteen. Just listen to the Boss on his later albums starting with the River, and you'll see what I mean. I can't help but think that if he had had a big time backing band like the Ashbury Dukes or the E Street Band, that Deville would have become a superstar. He might have anyway if it hadn't been for all the numerous record label changes and a music industry blackball due to previous drug problems. But despite all that mess, Deville still remained hungry enough to keep making great music through this fertile period of 77-87. His early stuff which makes up the first half of this CD I think is his best work. Among my faves is "Mixed Up Shook Up Girl". The wonderful "Spanish Stroll", which was the only song that even came close to being a hit. It made the top 20 in the U.K. My alltime Deville favorite is "Just Your Friends", where he sings Ben E King style with a Stand By Me sounding full orchestration backing, and a very infectious sounding harp and strumming acoustic guitar. This song shoulda been a hit. A big hit. Deville wrote, or had a hand in writing almost everything here, with the exception of Moon Martin's "Cadillac Walk". Also a great Arthur Alexander song "You Better Move On". And Van Morrison's "Could You Would You", where he displays some of his best singing. Every R&B/soul lover should have this generous 21 track 75 minute cd in their collection. It's simply delicious!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Near-perfect, July 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Spanish Stroll (Audio CD)

A very decent cross-section of Willie's work, representing both Mink DeVille and his solo career. I was blown away upon hearing "Mixed Up Shook Up Girl" on FM-radio when Mink DeVille first broke in NYC in the late 70s. The band could do it all -- hard-hitting rock and roll, love ballads, reggae, R&B. Listen to the sensational understated guitar playing of Louis X. Erlanger who left Willie after the first 3 LPs. His playing shows up on a bunch of tunes here and it's a shame that Willie didn't have him around longer. He was missed on later recordings. If you're looking for the definitive album, try to find "Le Chat Bleu." It's breathtaking.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Unknown Classic by a Genius, October 6, 2002

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Spanish Stroll (Audio CD)

This brilliant compilation showcases Deville's amazing talent to the full. The sound of these wonderful melodic songs is a gripping blend of Springsteenesque rock, Phil Spector type pop and Hispanic infusions.My favorites include This Must Be The Night, Spanish Stroll, the edgy Cadillac Walk, Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl, Just To Walk That Little Girl Home, A Train Lady and Guardian Angel, but every song has something special. Mink has a soulful voice and the arrangements are perfect. This classic album at times reminds one of the best work of artists like Tom Petty, Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello. Catchy hooks, divine vocal harmonies, soulful vocals and poetic lyrics make every song a masterpiece. Mink Deville is one of the obscure geniuses of rock and this collection is a timeless classic.