Een bijzonder eerbetoon aan Willy DeVille in de Erik Neimeijer Gallery [NL]
Willy DeVille's album producer John Philip Shenale was 10 augustus jl. in Nederland. Hij werd geïnterviewd door de Amerikaanse rock muziek journalist Lisa Torem. In de Erik Neimeijer Gallery in Nijverdal werd de middag geopend door voormalig Willy ‘Mink’ DeVille International Fanclub voorzitter Gurrie van Brug. Er waren ongeveer 40 die-hard DeVille fans aanwezig die zich hiervoor van tevoren hadden aangemeld. Phil Shenale produceerde vier Willy DeVille albums (Backstreets of Desire, Loup Garou, Crow Jane Alley, Pistola) en hij vertelde over de samenwerking met Willy in die periode 1992 t/m 2008. Aan de hand van persoonlijke foto’s en beeld- en geluidsfragmenten werd een boeiend beeld weergegeven van de passie die zowel Willy als Phil voor hun werk hadden. Zanger- gitarist (tevens beeldend kunstenaar en galeriehouder) Erik Neimeijer speelde voor- en achteraf een aantal live songs van Willy DeVille op zijn akoestische gitaar en achter de piano. Na afloop werd er onder het genot van een drankje enthousiast nagepraat en konden de bezoekers nog eens extra genieten van de sfeervolle kleurige schilderijen van Erik, en van een selectie ingelijste DeVille live foto’s die ook tentoon werden gesteld. Het werd een bijzonder eerbetoon aan Willy DeVille die 6 augustus 2009 veel te jong overleed. Maar die ook in zijn ruim dertigjarige carrière heel veel muziekliefhebbers talloze mooie momenten heeft bezorgt.
A special tribute to Willy DeVille in the Erik Neimeijer Gallery [ENG]
Willy DeVille's album producer John Philip Shenale was in the Netherlands on August 10th. He was interviewed by American rock music journalist Lisa Torem. The afternoon was opened at the Erik Neimeijer Gallery in Nijverdal by former Willy "Mink" DeVille International Fan Club chairman Gurrie van Brug. Approximately 40 die-hard DeVille fans were present, having registered in advance. Phil Shenale produced four Willy DeVille albums (Backstreets of Desire, Loup Garou, Crow Jane Alley, Pistola), and he spoke about his collaboration with Willy from 1992 to 2008. Using personal photos and audio clips, he provided a captivating glimpse into the passion both Willy and Phil had for their work. Singer-guitarist (also a visual artist and gallery owner) Erik Neimeijer played several live Willy DeVille songs before and after the performance on his acoustic guitar and piano. Afterward, there was enthusiastic conversation, and the audience could once again enjoy Erik's atmospheric, colorful paintings and a selection of framed DeVille live photos, which were also on display. It was a special tribute to Willy DeVille, who died far too young on August 6, 2009. But who also gave countless wonderful moments to many music lovers throughout his thirty-plus-year career.
“Stars that Speak" – Willy DeVille on lead vocal and slide guitar; John Philip Shenale on piano, Chamberlin, synths, and percussion [photo-video].
Erik Neimeijer (born 1982) is a Dutch musician, painter, and DeVille enthusiast. He played guitar in Cool Genius, Soundsurfer, The Backcorner Boogie Band, and Bökkers, and has performed in various solo and theater shows. Besides his music, Neimeijer is also active as a painter, inspired by the cobra. In 2022, he and his wife Maartje opened their own gallery in Nijverdal, the Netherlands.
Author/journalist/musician Lisa Torem analyzed the studio work of triple-threat artists: Tori Amos, Billy Joel and Suzanne Vega for the Sonicbond On Track Series and co-authored Through The Eye of The Tiger and All That Glitters: The Ava Cherry Story.
John Philip Shenale (often mentioned as Phil Shenale) is a Canadian composer, arranger, musician and producer based in Los Angeles. Shenale's work has been featured on albums by artists such as Tori Amos, Willy DeVille, Jane's Addiction, Tracy Chapman, Billy Idol, Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, The Bangles, Dionne Warwick, Rick Springfield, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray and John Hiatt.
"The artist may only bring lyrics, but they bring the story of their life. The producer is sucking all of the life juice out of the artist to get their stamp on the track. From that standpoint, it's not a manipulation of notes, but of reality." - John Philip Shenale -