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From the Vault...
03/23/2003
#830 |
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info
Dion
"Dion"
© The Right Stuff Records
Year of Release: 1968
Rating:
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track listing
Abraham Martin And
John
Purple Haze
Tomorrow Is A
Long Time/
Everybody's Talkin'
You Better Watch
Yourself
(Sonny Boy)
The Dolphins
He Looks A Lot
Like Me
Sun Fun Song
From Both Sides Now
Sisters Of Mercy
Loving You Is
Sweeter Than Ever
Daddy Rollin'
(In Your Arms)
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Dion
"Dion"
Dion DiMucci was a very popular singer with his group The Belmonts in the
1950s. Their biggest hit was "A Teenager In Love," and Dion pursued a
very successful solo career, with the #1 hit "Runaround Sue," and
"The Wanderer," an oldies classic. Later in his solo career, he
would pursue an interest in Gospel/Christian music. In 1968, his original
release Dion was released, as it features a different approach for him,
compared to the early years of 1950s doo-wop.
The standout tune is his popular hit, dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, Martin
Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy. "Abraham, Martin and John" is a
tribute to three leaders who would die tragically, all of assassinations.
It would be a huge hit for Dion, as it was different compared to his early years'
hits.
"Purple Haze" has an early Bee Gees sound, likewise it is completely
different than the original, by Jimi Hendrix. Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is A Long
Time" and the popular hit "Everybody's Talkin'" is merged as a medley
here, and it has a great folk sound, blending with Dion's pleasant voice.
"You Better Watch Yourself (Sonny Boy)" has the blues touch, and a
more adult sound for Dion. "The Dolphins" is another nice pleasant
folkish tune, written by the author of "Everybody's Talkin'," Fred Neil.
"He Looks A Lot Like Me" is written by Dion, as it has a very
moody sound, and could be a good song for an Italian movie soundtrack. Another
original tune written by Dion, "Sun Fun Song," has a more pop/adult
contemporary sound.
Joni Mitchell's "From Both Sides Now" is a very nice pop song, where
Leonard Cohen's "Sisters Of Mercy" has a somewhat Classical/Folk sound,
a very beautiful orchestration behind Dion's most pleasant voice. Another nice
pop-sounding tune is "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever," co-written by
Stevie Wonder. "Daddy Rollin' (In Your Arms)" was the B-side to
"Abraham, Martin and John" (having the 45 rpm single as a kid), and is
a mix of Rock and Blues.
Dion was in a different direction. In 1968, he had recently
kicked his heroin habit, and recording songs differently than his most popular
hits became a new beginning, despite mixed reviews. My fondest memory of this
album is having the 45 rpm single "Abraham, Martin and John"/"Daddy
Rollin'" -- The tribute to the three former leaders was, and still is one
of my favorite songs, and even so Dion may not have been highly acclaimed for
this album, his voice is truly entertaining, and his styles of Pop, Rock and
Blues showcases a gentleman who was willing to take his career in a different
direction. For the folk fans, Dion will be a very entertaining album
to listen to, may just be enjoyed more with repeated listening.
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Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
The Right Stuff Records
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