There aren’t many artists around that were around at the start of what became known as “rock and roll”, but Dion DiMucci, better known as “Dion”, is one of the survivors. Strong in faith, and still in voice, his beginnings are charted on this essential two disc set covering his days with the doo-wopping Timberlanes, the Belmonts and on his own.
The earliest years are the quintessence of street corner symphonies, with wonderful harmonies and beats on “I Wonder Why”, “Where Or When” (with that dreamy alto sax solo) “Teen Angel” and the classic “Teenager In Love”. When Dion went out on his own in 1960, he didn’t drop a stitch , with his wonderfully mix of barbershop quartet and Elvis angst on “Runaround Sue” “Ruby Baby” and “The Wanderer”. His solo albums are included here, and they feature impressive versions of “Kansas City” and “Stagger Lee” while his take of standards like “PS I Love You” and “Close Your Eyes” are on a par with any Vegas Rat Packer. He rode every wave like a longboarder, and is still standing strong. I dare you not to sing along with this one.