| CD REVIEW Dion |
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Band: Dion Most of you are too young to remember, but when on February 2 of 1959 a small airplane crashes taking the lives of Rock ‘n’ Roll greats Buddy Holly, The Big Hopper, and Ritchie Valens, plus the pilot, it was really one Dion DiMucci (commonly known as Dion) whom should’ve die in stead of Valens. The guys’ bands were touring together in a small bus which all too often broke down, and after playing a show in Clear Lake, Ohio, Holly decided to charter a small airplane to get the star players of the bands over to their next stop. But there was only place for 3 passengers, and in the lottery that ensued for the available places Valens fell out. But New York native Dion had been raised in dire circumstances and was reluctant to spend the $36 the fare would cost him, and left his place to Valens, who’d been slightly ill…The rest is history, and still makes Dion talk a little more quiet whenever he tells the tale! Anyway, in those days he was only 19, and although he would later switch musical outlets from Folk Rock to Christian Rock an eventually also to a more Blues geared direction, he enjoyed some success in the Rock genre of those days, blending elements of Doo-Wop, Pop, and Rhythm & Blues! Evidently, a lot of the Rock ‘n’ Roll starts of those days were his heroes, and with this ‘50s Rock covers album he not only brings tribute to the starring artists, but also to the guitarists whom were behind the music, those dedicated guys who paved the way through very inventive and innovative play on their instruments! Among the 15 tracks on the album, you’ll find nóne that will be unfamiliar to you, Dion (on his acoustic guitar, aided by electric/ acoustic guitar player Robert “Crow” Richardson, bassist/ co-producer/ harmony backing singer Robert “The Hurdy Gurdy Man” Guertin, drummer Michael Harvey…plus sax player John Michalak and keyboardist Rick Krivo) brings you covers of popular songs by Cochran (“Summertime Blues”), Ritchie Valens (“Come On Let’s Go”), Gene Vincent (“Be-Bop-A-Lula”), Del Shannon (“Runaway”), Elvis Presley (“Jailhouse Rock” and “Blue Suede Shoes”), Johnny Cash (“I Walk The Line”), Bo Diddley (“Who Do You Love”), Chuck Berry (“Sweet Little Rock ‘n’ Roller”), and a couple of songs I can’t quite place (among which songs by Every Brothers and Carl Perkins)…and also a remake of his own 1961 hit “The Wanderer” (which has been covered more times than memory recalls). A trip down to memory lane by this great musician who’s turning 70 come next July, and whom hasn’t lost any of his warm voice yet (well, perhaps just a little bit)! He was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1989 by Lou Reed (whom, just like the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon, sees him as one of his prime influences), and has seen a Wanderer modelguitar made for him by Martin Guitars. In short, he’s a living Rock ‘n’ Roll legend…and as this IS a sorts of “compilation” album, I will not rate it, but know I’m adding Heroes to my 2008 year-lists (that’s no mistake, because even if the album only gets released this side of the Atlantic now, it wàs release last year, wasn’t it)!!! I’m not sure whether the releases in the US and Europe are any different, but our “promo” copy also includes a 45-minute DVD featuring interviews with Dion and guitarist Robert Richardson about the album. Tony. |