When I did this album I wanted to make music that would stand the test of time. I take what I do seriously, but at the same time I have fun making every album I do. If that's not there, if you're not enjoying the album how can you expect anyone else to? It may sound selfish but I'm playing the music I want to, and everyone else can kiss off as far as I'm concerned.
On Le Chat Blue we had all these great people involved, you know, and we thought we had something great. I came back to America, and my label at that time said, "well we think we should put it on the shelf for a while." This was right before Christmas for God's sake, when you know people are going to be buying stuff, so I asked them what the problem was?
They said they had never heard anything like it before and didn't know what to do with it. We had Charles Dumont, Elvis's goddamned rhythm section, and they say they've never heard anything like it. I was heartbroken and angry. Finally Maxine from my distributor in France phones and he says, Willy what's going on? So I told him.
He said don't worry we'll release it over here. We did, and then it became a matter of not what are we going to do with Willy Deville, but who the hell let him get away. As an import it was wracking up great sales here. Capital finally went and released a copy of it, but never did too much work on it.
I remembered what Nietzsche said, which was he never could understand why they had signed us in the first place. They were the Beatles and the Beach Boys, safe bands, and they hired a bunch of guys who looked like street toughs who looked like they were going to kill them. (He laughs)
I wanted to ask you about the album you made with Mark Knopfler, I can't remember its title ("Miracle" Willy supplied) how did that come about? Was he assigned to produce you by your label or did it come about some other way?
It was Mark's wife Lourdes who came up with the idea. She said to him that you don't sing like Willy and he doesn't play guitar like you,
Nobody plays guitar like him.
That's for sure, but you really like his stuff so why don't you do an album together?
So I went over to London to do this album. It wasn't easy because we didn't want it to sound like a Dire Straits' album, and his guitar playing is so unique that it was hard to do. But nothing good is going to be easy. I know that I spent the whole time really trying to impress Mark, I wanted it to be good.
Article comments
1 - Elvira Black
Terrific piece, Richard! Willy sounds like an incredible guy.
2 - BJ Drwenski
Great article Richard....it was just what a Montana woman starving for more Willy info needed!
3 - Sue Few
Just read your interview with Willy - great! I interviewed him at the beginning of this year, on the telephone, and I had to stop the interview early on for a moment because I FORGOT in was an interview, I felt as tho I was talking to an old friend...Willy understood, "You are..." which made me feel more comfortable and able to continue. He is smart, generous and kind & fun! - had so many interesting things to talk about - mainly his music and what he wants to do next. Your interview brought out the best in him.....thank you!
Sue Few