Reviewing a deceased artist of lesser renown can be problematic. You have to take music on its own terms, but you can’t fully tap that all-important relationship between sound and zeitgeist, artist and his time. Alternately, it can be liberating to ignore the facts of life and just listen. All that to say: long live Willy DeVille.

An infamous performer who made his name in New York before moving to New Orleans, DeVille left behind a cult following and 30 years of music. This release captures the best of his live recordings, full of smoke and static, thankfully unflattened by a studio mix. A ballad like “Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl” demands late night audience sweat condensed on the mics.

One hears a bit of Lou Reed and Freddy Fender, but mostly a unique voice and sound that makes it obvious why he found a home here, a sympathetic zone for boozy R&B, horns, and romance. Charisma, vulnerability, great choruses—these things about DeVille age quite well. At times, he is a smokier Springsteen, growling about Avenue D over saxophone and piano.

What was going on between sets? How did the transition between New York and New Orleans affect man and music? While the liner notes feature a fan’s worthy love, you’re left wanting to know more about Willy DeVille. Not a bad accomplishment for a career retrospective.

Buy Willy DeVille’s Come A Little Bit Closer: The Best of Willy DeVille Live on iTunes

Listen to Willy DeVille’s Come A Little Bit Closer: The Best of Willy DeVille Live on Spotify