Horse of a Different Color (Willy DeVille album)


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."
The album was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis. It was produced by Jim Dickinson, who brought along his son Luther to play guitar and his son Cody to play drums.
Allmusic called the album "the most consistent and brilliant recording of Willy DeVille's long career":
DeVille recorded another version of “Across the Borderline“ with The Mink DeVille Band for a music video. This recording features Willy DeVille on vocals and guitar, Freddy Koëlla on guitar, David Keyes on bass, Boris Kinberg on percussion, and Dorene and Yadonna Wise on background vocals.

Track listing

Unless otherwise noted, all songs by Willy DeVille.
  1. “Gypsy Deck of Hearts“ - - 3:21
  2. * Willy DeVille on vocals; Roger Hawkins on drums; David Hood on bass; Luther Dickinson on guitar, mandolin; Jack Holder on guitar; Jim Dickinson on piano; Spooner Oldham on organ; Freddy Koella on violin; Rick Steff on accordion, autoharp; Andy Cohen on doceola; J.D. Westmoreland on tipples
  3. “Across the Borderline“ - - 3:38
  4. * Willy DeVille on vocals; Roger Hawkins on drums, percussion; David Hood on bass; Jack Holder on guitar; Luther Dickinson on acoustic slide guitar, mandolin; Spooner Oldham on piano; Jim Dickinson on Wurlitzer; Rick Steff on harp; Freddy Koella on violins; Susan Marshall, Brenda Patterson, Betram Brown, William Brown, John Crosthwait on background vocals
  5. “Lay Me Down Easy“ - - 4:28
  6. * Willy DeVille on vocals; Roger Hawkins on drums; David Hood on bass; Jack Holder on acoustic guitar; Luther Dickinson on electric guitar, mandolin; Spooner Oldham on Wurlitzer; Jim Dickinson on piano, organ; Freddy Koella on violins; Jim Spake on saxophone; Scott Thompsen on trumpet; Susan Marshall, Brenda Patterson, Betram Brown, William Brown on background vocals
  7. “Goin' Over the Hill“ - - 2:21
  8. * Willy DeVille on vocals, tambourine; Luther Dickinson on electric slide guitar; Tate County Singers on background vocals
  9. “One Love, One Lifetime“ - - 3:29
  10. * Willy DeVille on vocals; Roger Hawkins on drums; David Hood on bass; Luther Dickinson on guitar, sitar; Jack Holder, Jimmy Johnson on rhythm guitar; Spooner Oldham on organ; Jim Dickinson on vibes; Jim Spake on saxophone; Scott Thompsen on trumpet; Betram Brown, William Brown, Dexter Milan on background vocals
  11. “Needles and Pins“ - - 3:04
  12. * Willy DeVille on vocals; Roger Hawkins on drums, percussion; David Hood on bass; Jimmy Johnson, Jack Holder on rhythm guitar; Luther Dickinson on lead guitar; Spooner Oldham on organ; Jim Dickinson on mellotron, Moog synthesizer
  13. “18 Hammers“ - - 2:37
  14. * Willy DeVille on vocals; Cody Dickinson on drums; Luther Dickinson on electric side guitar; Jim Dickinson on electric piano; Betram Brown, William Brown, Jim Dickinson, Luther Dickinson, John Crosthwait, Sid Selvidge on background vocals
  15. Hanging Around My Door“ - 3:25
  16. * Willy DeVille on vocals, background vocals; Roger Hawkins on drums, percussion; David Hood on bass; Jimmy Johnson, Jack Holder on rhythm guitar; Luther Dickinson on lead guitar; Jim Dickinson on organ; Spooner Oldham on Wurlitzer; Freddy Joella on dulcimer; Jim Spake on saxophone; Scott Thompsen on trumpet; Brenda Patterson, Dexter Milan on background vocals
  17. “The Downing of the Flamingo“ - 5:15
  18. * Willy DeVille on vocals; Roger Hawkins on drums, percussion; David Hood on bass; Luther Dickinson on electric guitar, mandolin; Spooner Oldham on organ; Rick Steff on accordion; Jim Dickinson on vibes
  19. “Bacon Fat“ - - 4:19
  20. * Willy DeVille on vocals; Roger Hawkins on drums; David Hood on bass; Jack Holder on guitar; Luther Dickinson on electric slide guitar; Spooner Oldham on Wurlitzer; Jim Dickinson on piano; Jim Spake on baritone saxophone; Susan Marshall, Betram Brown, William Brown, John Crosthwait on background vocals
  21. “Time to Time“ - 2:39
  22. * Willy DeVille on vocals, background vocals; Roger Hawkins on drums, percussion; David Hood on bass; Jack Holder on electric guitar; Luther Dickinson on acoustic slide guitar; Spooner Oldham on organ; Jim Dickinson on piano; Jim Spake on saxophone; Scott Thompsen on trumpet

    Personnel