Mink DeVille

Mink DeVille's third album, Le Chat Bleu, originally issued in 1980, was the kind of modest, updated, steamy, Latin-tinged R&B-soul affair that didn't seem like the likeliest candidate for the deluxe expanded CD treatment. As the 21st century got into gear, though, it seemed like almost anything went, and Le Chat Bleu got almost doubled in length on the Australian expanded edition. This updated version does straighten out the original body of the album in one important way: it includes both the Cajun stomp "Mazurka" (which appeared on the LP when it was first released, in France) and the funky "Turn You Every Way but Loose" (which replaced "Mazurka" when it was belatedly issued in the U.S., and nicks a riff from the Doors' "L.A. Woman"). The real attraction for those who already own the previous versions of the album, though, are the eight previously unissued live bonus tracks. All eight are live performances of different songs from Le Chat Bleu, five recorded in New York in 1982, two in Holland in 1984, and one in Germany in 1995; "Mazurka," "That World Outside," and "Turn You Every Way but Loose" are the only songs from the original album not represented by live counterparts. In the usual way such things go, these aren't essential additions for anyone but serious DeVille fans, but there's a nice loose, fun vibe to the live stuff that's a little different in tone than the more considered studio arrangements, particularly on the 1982 cuts. Also on the CD is a six-minute interview with DeVille and Doc Pomus from the November 2, 1980, edition of The Robert Klein Show, as well as liners with some historical notes and DeVille's own recollections of making the record. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide