Victory Mixture

Last updated • 4 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Victory Mixture
VictoryMixture.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 1, 1990 (France)
December 28, 1990 (U.S.)
Studio Sea Saint (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Genre R&B, Blues, Soul
Length32:12
Label Sky Ranch (France)
Orleans Records (U.S.)
Producer Carlo Ditta
Willy DeVille chronology
Miracle
(1987)
Victory Mixture
(1990)
Backstreets of Desire
(1992)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]

Victory Mixture is a 1990 album by Willy DeVille. The album consists of cover versions of New Orleans R&B and soul classics by DeVille’s musical idols. Trouser Press said about the album, “A rootsy covers collection, Victory Mixture provides a welcome antidote to Miracle's misguided modernity, making the most of the singer's relocation to New Orleans with backup from such local legends as Allen Toussaint, Eddie Bo and Dr. John.” [2]

Contents

Victory Mixture is unusual in that it was recorded without the use of overdubbing or sound editing, the idea being to record the songs in the same manner as they were recorded originally in the 1950s and early 1960s without soundboard technology. [3]

The album was released in Europe on the French Sky Ranch label; it was released a year later in the United States on the Orleans Records label, that label's second offering. The success of Victory Mixture in Europe ensured the label's continuing operation.

Origins of Victory Mixture

In 1988, Willy DeVille relocated from New York to New Orleans. He told Leap in the Dark: "I was tired of being 'Willy DeVille,' walking out of my building and having to be the guy who was up on stage all the time, even when I wasn't performing. I wanted to get away from that. So I got down there (to New Orleans) and it was as if this famous guy had come to town, and I didn't want that. So I decided to do an album with a bunch of the musicians from down there, the music of New Orleans." [4]

DeVille told Sheila Rene about the beginnings of Victory Mixture:

A friend of mine (Carlo Ditta) who owns Orleans Records here in New Orleans approached me with the idea of working with him on a Delta record, a blues record where you just play acoustic and do what you want to do. There's so much good material here in New Orleans from the early 50s and 60s, and he still had a box of 45s. We went through them, and there were all these hit records that weren't hit records; maybe regional hits by artists from New Orleans. I picked out the stuff that worked with my voice.
I got all the original guys to come back in, like Earl King, Dr. John and Eddie Bo. Allen Toussaint played side piano. I brought in the rhythm section of The Meters on a couple of cuts. We call it the "little" record. It's funny, because I was just trying to get them money, the writers of the songs, 'cause they all got ripped off in the 50s and 60s. They were all fascinated, and Dr. John convinced them that they wouldn't get ripped off by this northern white boy. That's when I crossed over to being a local here in New Orleans.
We were all pleased with it. It's recorded the way it was originally done back then. It's live with no overdubs anywhere, no digital, no editing. We played the song several times and just picked the best take...the one that was the most natural. [5]

Producer Carlo Ditta described the birth of the album this way:

Back in New Orleans I got the word that Willy DeVille was living in town and asking after me. I showed up with my latest CDs, including my Guitar Slim Jr. Grammy nomination, and convinced him that I needed to produce a reverse-crossover roots record on him. I played him a bunch of my old New Orleans R&B 45s, including sides by Ernie K-Doe, Earl King, Irma Thomas, Huey Smith and the Pitter Pats, Oliver Morgan, and Champion Jack Dupree, and with the help of Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter, Kerry Brown and a host of other local talent, we crafted an album at Sea Saint Studios titled Victory Mixture. I licensed it to my old friend, Phillippe LeBras, and he put it out in France on his new label, Sky Ranch. It sold over 100,000 units in Europe very quicklyour first gold disc. [6]

"New Orleans Revue" Tour

In the summer of 1992, DeVille toured Europe with Dr John, Johnny Adams, Zachary Richard, and The Wild Magnolias as part of his "New Orleans Revue" tour. He told Leap in the Dark, "The travel, buses, and planes and the accommodations had to be some of the worst I've ever experienced, but the shows themselves were great. At the end of each show we'd throw Mardi Gras rows out to the audience, you know strands of purple and gold beads, and they'd never seen anything like it and they loved it.” [4]

Other information

Victory Mixture was produced by Carlo Ditta, the founder of Orleans Records. Ditta met DeVille in 1980 when DeVille was touring with Mink DeVille, and Ditta joined the band in an after-hours jam session at the Beat Exchange, a New Orleans punk rock hangout. [7]

This album was the first time DeVille recorded with guitarist Freddy Koëlla (credited on this album as Frèdèrick Koella), who would record and tour with DeVille for many years to come. The two were introduced by guitarmaker James Trussart. Said DeVille, "I adore (Trussart). He made my guitar and introduced me to my guitarist, Fred. A fabulous guitarist. He can play like Ry Cooder, he can play the Spanish style... He knows it all, his play is very subtle, very sophisticated. On stage I always have to tell him to play louder; he's afraid of stepping on me. That's a good guitarist. I'd like to play more the guitar, the slide particularly, but when I listen to him I stay paralyzed." [8] Koella played in Bob Dylan's backup band in 2003 and 2004.

Victory Mixture was also the first time DeVille sang with background vocalists Dorene and Yadonna Wise, who would tour with DeVille in The Mink DeVille band in years to come. Allen Toussaint introduced the Wise sisters to DeVille. [9]

The songs "Teasing You," "Beating Like a Tom-Tom," and ”Who Shot the La-La” can also be heard on DeVille's Big Easy Fantasy album (1995). The songs have slightly different horn and background-vocal arrangements.

Track listing

  1. “Hello My Lover” (Clarence Toussaint) - 3:33
  2. “It Do Me Good” (Huey Smith, Brenda Brandon) - 3:06
  3. ”Key to My Heart” (Edwin Bocage) - 3:38
  4. ”Beating Like a Tom-Tom” (Ernest Kador) - 4:21
  5. ”Every Dog Has Its Day” (Edwin Bocage) - 2:38
  6. Big Blue Diamonds” (Earl "Kit" Carson) - 2:51
  7. ”Teasin' You” (Earl King) - 3:07
  8. ”Ruler of My Heart” (Naomi Neville) - 2:42
  9. ”Who Shot the La-La” (D. Burmak, Edwin Bocage, Theresa Terry) - 2:57
  10. Junker's Blues” (Willie Hall) - 3:19 [10]

Personnel

Production

Related Research Articles

<i>Loup Garou</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Willy DeVille

Loup Garou is an album released in 1995 by Willy DeVille. First released in Europe in 1995 on the EastWest label, it was released the following year in the United States on the Discovery label. It was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by John Philip Shenale, who also produced DeVille’s Backstreets of Desire album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willy DeVille</span> American singer-songwriter (1950–2009)

Willy DeVille was an American singer and songwriter. During his thirty-five-year career, first with his band Mink DeVille (1974–1986) and later on his own, DeVille created original songs rooted in traditional American musical styles. He worked with collaborators from across the spectrum of contemporary music, including Jack Nitzsche, Doc Pomus, Dr. John, Mark Knopfler, Allen Toussaint, and Eddie Bo. Latin rhythms, blues riffs, doo-wop, Cajun music, strains of French cabaret, and echoes of early-1960s uptown soul can be heard in DeVille's work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Bo</span> Musical artist

Edwin Joseph Bocage, known as Eddie Bo, was an American singer and pianist from New Orleans. Schooled in jazz, he was known for his blues, soul and funk recordings, compositions, productions and arrangements. He debuted on Ace Records in 1955 and released more single records than anyone else in New Orleans other than Fats Domino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mink DeVille</span> American band with Willy DeVille

Mink DeVille was a rock band founded in 1974, known for its association with early punk rock bands at New York's CBGB nightclub and for being a showcase for the music of Willy DeVille. The band recorded six albums in the years 1977 to 1985, after which it disbanded the next year. Except for frontman Willy DeVille, the original members of the band played only on the first two albums. For the remaining albums and for tours, Willy DeVille assembled musicians to play under the name "Mink Deville". After 1985, when Willy DeVille began recording and touring under his own name, his backup bands were sometimes called "The Mink DeVille Band", an allusion to the earlier Mink Deville name.

<i>In the Right Place</i> 1973 studio album by Dr. John

In the Right Place is the sixth album by the New Orleans R&B artist Dr. John. The album was released on Atco Records in 1973, and became the biggest selling album of Dr. John's career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leo Nocentelli</span> American musician and songwriter

Leo Nocentelli is an American musician and songwriter best known as a founding member and lead guitarist of the funk band the Meters. He wrote the original versions of several funk classics such as "Cissy Strut" and "Hey Pocky A-Way". As a session musician he has recorded with a variety of notable artists such as Dr. John, Robert Palmer and Etta James. He is the recipient of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as a member of the Meters.

<i>Coup de Grâce</i> (Mink DeVille album) 1981 studio album by Mink DeVille

Coup de Grâce is the fourth album by the rock band Mink DeVille, released in 1981. The album represented a departure for the band, as frontman Willy DeVille dismissed the only other remaining original member of the band, guitarist Louis X. Erlanger, and hired Helen Schneider's backup band to record the album. Moreover, the album was recorded for Atlantic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wild Magnolias</span> New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian tribe and musicians

The Wild Magnolias are a Mardi Gras Indian tribe who also record and play as a funk musical act from New Orleans, Louisiana.

<i>Cabretta</i> 1977 studio album by Mink DeVille

Cabretta, known as Mink DeVille in the United States, was the 1977 debut album by Mink DeVille. It peaked at number 186 on the Billboard 200 chart and was voted the 29th best album of 1977 in the Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll. A single from the album, "Spanish Stroll", was a top-20 hit in the UK.

<i>Le Chat Bleu</i> 1980 studio album by Mink DeVille

Le Chat Bleu is the third album by the rock band Mink DeVille, released in 1980. The album received critical acclaim and elevated lead singer and composer Willy DeVille to star status. The Rolling Stone critics' poll ranked Le Chat Bleu the fifth best album of 1980, and music historian Glenn A. Baker declared it the tenth best rock album of all time. The album cover is a photo of Willy's first wife Toots Deville's tattoo on her shoulder.

<i>Return to Magenta</i> 1978 studio album by Mink DeVille

Return to Magenta, issued in 1978, is the second album by the rock band Mink DeVille. The album was the last to feature all the original members of the band. For this album the band was joined by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Steve Douglas on sax and Dr. John on piano, who would later collaborate with leadsinger Willy DeVille after his move to New Orleans.

<i>Where Angels Fear to Tread</i> (Mink DeVille album) 1983 studio album by Mink DeVille

Where Angels Fear to Tread is the fifth studio album by the rock band Mink DeVille. It was released in 1983, and was the second album Mink DeVille recorded for Atlantic Records, and Atlantic brought in two in-house producers, Howard Albert and Ron Albert, to produce the album.

<i>Sportin Life</i> (Mink DeVille album) 1985 studio album by Mink DeVille

Sportin’ Life is the sixth and final studio album by the rock band Mink DeVille, released in 1985. Since the band's third album, 1981's Le Chat Bleu, when the original members of the band departed, lead singer and composer Willy DeVille had been assembling musicians to record and tour under the name Mink DeVille. After Sportin’ Life, Willy DeVille began recording and touring under his own name.

<i>Miracle</i> (Willy DeVille album) 1987 studio album by Willy DeVille

Miracle is an album by Willy DeVille. Recorded in 1987, it was the first album that Willy DeVille recorded under his own name. Prior to Miracle, DeVille recorded six albums with the band Mink DeVille, the last four of which were really solo albums by Willy DeVille in that no members of the original band played on the four albums.

<i>Backstreets of Desire</i> 1992 studio album by Willy DeVille

Backstreets of Desire is an album by Willy DeVille. It was recorded in various Los Angeles recording studios in 1992. To make the album, DeVille was joined by many prominent musicians, including Dr. John, David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Zachary Richard, Jim Gilstrap, Freebo, Efrain Toro, and Jimmy Zavala.

<i>Willy DeVille Live</i> 1993 live album by Willy DeVille

Willy DeVille Live is a live recording of Willy DeVille and the Mink DeVille Band. It was recorded on June 16–17, 1993 at The Bottom Line in Greenwich Village, New York City, and in October 1993, at the Olympia Theatre in Paris. It was released in Europe on December 1, 1993 in Europe by the French label Fnac Music and re-issued in 2012 under title Live in Paris and New York.

<i>Big Easy Fantasy</i> 1995 live album by Willy DeVille

Big Easy Fantasy is an album by Willy DeVille and the Mink DeVille Band. It was released in Europe on the French New Rose label in 1995. The album is a mixture of studio tracks and concert recordings made in New York and Paris. The "big easy" of the album's title refers to New Orleans. As the album cover says, the inspiration for the album was "Jump City, the Crescent City, the city that care forgot, New Orleans...The Big Easy!" All songs on the album are standards by New Orleans musicians or are original compositions by Willy DeVille about some aspect of New Orleans.

<i>Horse of a Different Color</i> (Willy DeVille album) 1999 studio album by Willy DeVille

Horse of a Different Color is a 1999 album by Willy DeVille. The album consists of original compositions and remakes of traditional Black music titles such as Fred McDowell's “Going over the Hill,” and Andre Williams' "Bacon Fat."

<i>Crow Jane Alley</i> 2004 studio album by Willy DeVille

Crow Jane Alley is an album by Willy DeVille. It was recorded in 2004 in Los Angeles. For this album, DeVille was joined by members of the Chicano rock band Quetzal, David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, and Peruvian Afro-Cuban jazz drummer Alex Acuña, among other prominent musicians. Crow Jane Alley was produced by John Philip Shenale, the third album Shenale produced for DeVille.

<i>Pistola</i> 2008 studio album by Willy DeVille

Pistola is the last album by Willy DeVille, released on Mardi Gras day 2008 as a nod to DeVille's musical roots in New Orleans. The album was recorded in Los Angeles with Brian Ray, Lon Price, The Valentine Brothers, and other musicians who had played with DeVille for years. For this album, DeVille borrowed bassist Davey Faragher and drummer Pete Thomas from Elvis Costello's backup band, the Imposters. John Philip Shenale produced the album, his fourth production effort for Willy DeVille.

References

  1. Allmusic review
  2. Editors (2006) “Mink Deville/Willy Deville.” Trouser Press. (Retrieved 3-6-08.)
  3. Rene, Sheila (1996) “Interview with Willy DeVille.” Willy DeVille fan page. (Retrieved 3-6-08.)
  4. 1 2 Marcus, Richard (2006) “Interview: Willy DeVille.” Archived 2010-09-10 at the Wayback Machine Leap in the Dark (a blog). Archived 2008-03-03 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 3-6-08.)
  5. Rene, Sheila (1996) “Interview with Willy DeVille.” Willy DeVille Fan Page. (Retrieved 1-30-08.)
  6. Sinclair, John (August 24September 5, 1998) “Orleans Records Story.” Archived 2011-08-19 at the Wayback Machine On the Road with John Sinclair. (Retrieved 3-6-08.)
  7. This information comes from liner notes on DeVille's album Big Easy Fantasy.
  8. Laura Rangel (1993) Interviews: King Creole Archived 2004-12-18 at the Wayback Machine . Willy DeVille: Spanish Stroll. Archived 2007-12-24 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 1-29-08.)
  9. See interviews on Live in the Lowlands (DVD) (2006; Eagle Rock).
  10. On the album, this song is credited to Champion Jack Dupree.