Dion & the Belmonts - Dion & Belmonts - Greatest Hits

20 of the teen idol's biggest chart hits for the Laurie & Columbia labels from 1958-68, both with & without his group The Belmonts. All tracks are digitally remastered & include 'The Wanderer', 'I Wonder Why', 'Runaround Sue', 'Donna The Primadonna', 'A Teenager In Love' & 'Abraham Martin And John'. 1999 release. Album Description

LISTENING TO DION WITH THE THIRD EAR AND A NOTE TO REPERTOIRE

I've always liked The Wanderer and Run Around Sue. The Wanderer is a song that should have been covered by everyone from the Stones, to Aerosmith, to Hawkwind, to Hendrix. The middle break could cut thru anything. Ironically, it was Dion who covered Hendrix in what might be the most grotesque thing ever recorded, his version of Purple Haze, like a bad dream. Even given that, I am not putting anything he does down. If you are like some and don't much like Dion past The Wanderer, you need to listen to him out of the context of his time. This music, all of it, has the weird and uncanny feel of something inanimate brought to life or something formally alive that has become statuesque or doll-like. Even pictures of this guy often look like someone dead. His image has all the mystique of a drug casuality or mental case. I am very happy he is a survivor, so he gets the best of both worlds on the image scene. I don't get any visions of high school sweethearts or hops when listening to this amazing music. To get what I mean think of how David Lynch used the song Blue Velvet and others in his movies. The entire cataloge of Dion is like one big Lynch movie. The only reason I don't give this five stars is the stereo. I prefer Dion in mono. It adds to the atmosphere. Hey, Repertoire, have you gotten any rarities or mono? We'll take 'em. On the Essential, it's mono, but brittle sounding on the mono single of the Wanderer. However there are some worthwhile things like No One is Waiting (rare b-side) and the great Kickin' Child, a mono mix of Abraham, Martin, which is really good. If you like this Greatest Hits, you will find Bronx Blues (Columbia Recordings 1962-66) essential. Amazingly, there is very little duplication between these 2, only like 3 songs or so. Bronx Blues (not to be confused w/Bronx in Blue, by the way) features more post-Wanderer doo wop, plus lots of his 'hot blues,' like an alternate Kickin' Child and an amazing Troubled Mind. However, it's out of print, but worth picking up used until something else comes around. We have not heard enough yet of this blues peroid of his. We need more!!!!! Also, there is one called Best of the Rest which for some reason does not come up when you search under Dion. You have to search under Dion+title. This is an ideal companion to this CD, has alternate takes of Sue and Wanderer, later doo wop and outtakes of Alone With Dion, all stereo. April 23, 2008

The Astounding Resurgence Of Older Popular Music

March 18,2008

Dion and Ricky Nelson and other recording artists who began plying their trade in the 1950's are now seeing a mild but strengthening fan reception today. Elvis has never stopped entertaining a worldwide audience and I remember him as the idol of 1956. Recently I saw Dion hosting a buy 30 Cd's and give them back if you don't like them information program concerning the doo wop era. I have been a fan of Dion and the Belmonts (their name comes from Belmont Avenue in the Bronx, New York) since the songs on this Cd such as Teenager in Love and Runaround Sue were all part of my maturation on Manhattan's Upper Upper West Side. Then in 1968 Dion came out with the signature song Abraham, Martin and John which captivated the entire nation with its pathos, its message and its jarring effect upon us as a phenomenal piece of music. Back to Dion and Ricky Nelson and Brenda Lee surfacing again. I think its Sirius Gold and the potential that 15 million listeners are all tuning in to Dion and the Belmonts, Ricky Nelson and others for the very first time in their lives on satellite. Dion himself is not just another 50's boy's room harmony ballader. I have always known that he is a consummate musician and performer who knows all the nuances of jazz, pop, rock and roll and gospel. I urge especially young people who have been sold on today's music in a public relations fashion to buy Dion&Belmonts - Greatest Hits and begin to experience truly historical genetically ingrained, legitimate music. The music industry is noticing a Flight to Quality as listeners are actually going back into time to capture artistry that is professional and valid as pure quality. Dion and the Belmonts never needed huge corporations and court jesters to solidify their fan base.I wish that we could somehow see a Midnight Special type television show composed of oldtime rock idols like Dion and classic rock performers who I strongly believe could entertain us in a really nice way.

Jay Adler, Music Critic March 19, 2008

This is the one to buy!

This CD has ALL of the original hits I wanted. And they sound as good, if not better, than I remember them. It's just as if I were listening to them when I was 16! March 7, 2008

Now I'm the Kind of Seer-Who Likes to Write Around.... ;)

People. After my last review I desperately needed a jolt of some sort. You know the kind - something that brings back the joy in life. Hmmmm.... maybe a make-over was in order for your old, creaky-boned Seer. (Did I forget the beloved in that statement? Oh... those brain cells acting up again). Anyway, I dyed my hair black, greased it back and formed a pretty neat ducktail. Then, I found my leather jacket and boots, got my shades on, and rode my motorcyle to Belmont Avenue in the Bronx. I was spiritually led to do this. What could it all mean?

Miraculously, I went back in time and saw Dion and the Belmonts doing their singing on a streetcorner - what luck! But, in some sort of strange way (which I orchestrated of course), this leads me to this review. I know, I know. You didn't think your illustrious Seer liked the oldies, did you? Fact of the matter is I love the oldies, as long as they are good oldies. And, for the most part, this c.d. more than fits the bill.

I don't know how all of you feel. Sometimes I long for a simpler time - and you can't get a more uncomplicated time than the late 50's and early 60's. The most exciting things back then were Elvis, Rock Music, Marilyn, James Dean and etc. etc. etc. What else qualifies?

Anyway, we had the doo-wop harmony groups like this one, which I certainly put as one of the very best. Dion's vocals always had alot of heart and sexy swagger. Just right to listen to at lover's lane! This c.d. has Dion's best, with and without the Belmonts. And it is a magikal treat to say the least. The slower tempo songs convey the beauty of those harmonies. And the rockers kick with youthful exhuberence.

All the good stuff is here, "A Teenager in Love", "I Wonder Why", "Lonely Teenager", "Runaround Sue" etc. What kicks off this c.d. is the one song that I think embodies the classic rock and roll sound of that time. That, of course, is "The Wanderer". Raw driving beat, tough singing stance, brisk sax riffs. This song alone is worth the price. Listen LOUD!

The bottom line with this music is the sheer fun and pleasure of hearing it. It is youth. And even an illustrious Seer needs that now and then. (But more than ever now!). ;)

I would be remiss if I didn't mention one of my all-time favorites here. That is "Donna, the Prima Donna". The song never fails to bring a smile to my face and, as truthful lyrics go- try this> "Without any money-there goes our romance". Some things never change. Relationships built on love? Hah!

As an aside, some of the tunes here seem a little stilted and that is just a reflection of the times. But, for the most part, this is a true joy and belongs, solidly, in any formidable rock collection. Dion rocks. The proof is here.

In conclusion, as you may not know, I auditioned to sing with the Belmonts but they turned me down. They said I sounded like Cyndi Lauper(!). Sometimes there is just no justice people.

Where are you Dumbo? --- cheers --- Metamorpho ;) February 19, 2008

doo wop heaven

They were one of the hottest groups back in the fifties and sixties and the cd captures all of their best hits January 12, 2008

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