Description

While its true that Dion and the Belmonts were the first, most influential and probably the best white doo wop group (I don't count the Four Seasons as a strict doo wop group) their catalogue of great songs is actually quite small. And this well-intentioned and informative 2 CD set digs a little deeper into the great group's catalogue than most fans will want to go.Two factors conspire against a great 2 CD set exclusively focused on Dion's work with the Belmonts. The first is that the group recorded a comparatively small number of songs together. (BTW, while this set is complete in that it containsmore… everything Dion and the Belmonts recorded in their original incarnation, it omits the 1966 and 1972 Reunion albums.) During their original four years together the group only put out two albums and some scattered singles. The other factor that hurts a set like this is the fact that the group's record label was constantly trying to push the group to record material that was outside of their collective strengths. Too many Dion and the Belmonts' records are either uninspired renditions of pop standards or teen treacle. Still even in these areas the group would pull through from time to time. "Where or When", "In the Still of the Night" and a few others are masterful interpretations of standards. And thanks to the group's smooth harmonies, Dion's country twinged lead and Doc Pomus' subtly philosophical lyric "A Teenager in Love" showed just how much talent can do with teen treacle. Even on a song like "Every Little Thing I Do" where Dion's lead is nasal and poor the group picks him up with thrilling harmonies (arranged by Freddie Milano) and a stunning falsetto by Angelo D'Aleo.All in all there are maybe a dozen stone cold classics on this album. The best of course is "I Wonder Why" with the group trading and trailing amazingly intricate harmonies. Whenever somebody says 50s music is simple I bring up this track. Sadly there are few other tunes like that on the set. Still tracks like "(I Can't go on) Rosalie","That's My Desire", "Teenager in Love" all show a unique and potent approach to harmony. "I Got the Blues" is also a standout, a swaggering portent of Dion's great solo work. Many of the alternates are also terrific showing the group feeling their way to their final interpretations. "I Wonder Why" is especially exciting since Carlo Mastrangelo tries all sorts of different approaches to his scatting bass and Dion muffs the lyric. Yet the quality is the exception here. Many of the tracks do not even rise to the level of competence: Flat out terrible. The Dion and the Tamerlanes tracks are good examples, so is "September Song" where the 20-year old Dion clearly has no understanding of the lyric. And these guys just were not meant to record "When You Wish Upon a Star". The second disc is almost exclusively standards. The real audience for this set is the collector, hardcore fan (like myself) and the historian who will appreciate the illustration that even the poor tracks provide. It's a great package. The late Bob Hyde's liner notes are honest, passionate and informative. The sound is superb with many tracks in stereo for the first time. Though, honestly I prefer "I Wonder Why" in mono. The increased prominence of the piano detracts from the harmonies. There are some other buts about the packaging as well. There could have been more photos in the booklet (and a larger picture of Presenting Dion and the Belmonts should have been in here instead of a tiny one). The alternates except "I Wonder Why" have all been previously released. As mentioned before the two reunion albums are not included. And the last four songs including "We Belong Together" are the Belmonts without Dion. This is not specified on the backcover. These songs are great but they are not Dion and the Belmonts.For casual fans, I would recommend picking up a single disc compilation or better the first classic album "Presenting Dion and the Belmonts" if you can find it. It's nearly top to bottom excellent and contains all of the group's top 25 singles and "That's My Desire". It's a pricy import and buying this will give you more music at about the same price but that album's a bettering listening experience. The consumer must make his or her own choice.

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Info:

Category:

Music > Albums

Case Type:

CD

Release Type:

Retail

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Cover Info:

Title:

Dion & the Belmonts - The Complete Dion & the Belmonts (1999) Retail CD

Part:

Back

Dimensions:

1818 x 1380 px

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1,369 KB

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Report a Problem Wrong Cover Duplicate Image Bad Quality Wrong Info

23/05/08 by kaylee

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