Abraham, Martin & John [Original recording remastered, Import]

Dion (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 25, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Ace Records UK
• ASIN: B000MMLMR6
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,586 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #61 in Music > Pop > Oldies > Doo Wop

Track Listings

1. Abraham, Martin And John

2. Purple Haze

3. Medley: Tomorrow Is a Long Time/Everybody's Talkin'

4. You Better Watch Yourself (Sonny Boy)

5. The Dolphins

6. He Looks a Lot Like Me

7. Sun Fun Song

8. From Both Sides Now

9. Sisters Of Mercy

10. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever

11. Daddy Rollin' (In Your Arms)

Editorial Reviews

Includes the bonus track 'Daddy Rollin’ (In Your Arms)' the B-side of the single release of 'Abraham, Martin And John'. After his earlier career, both with the Belmonts and as a solo artist, Dion made some revelatory blues recordings for the Columbia label. Heroin addiction then took its toll and he stayed out of the studio for several years. In 1968, cleaned up but without a record deal, he approached Laurie Records, the company that released his first recordings with the Belmonts. Marking the beginning of his singer-songwriter phase that includes his Warner Brothers recordings, it features low-key but personal versions of songs by Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and a very unusual version of ‘Purple Haze’.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Feathered Canyons, July 2, 2009

By 

Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Abraham, Martin & John (Audio CD)

Dion's self-titled album recorded in a day & a half because of the popularity of "Abraham Martin & John" never made it into my collection, although the classic single certainly did. I'm very pleased to hear this album for the first time. I didn't really know what to expect from this 1968 effort. Dion's 1970s albums for Warner Bros. were among my favorites, particularly his recording of Melanie's "Close to It All." This set seems to set the table for that. Perhaps the most startling gem is his take on Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" with an acoustic arrangement. Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" sounds wonderful, so familiar. Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" also blooms with its lovely wistful melody, "Bows & flows of angel hair, ice cream castles in the air, feathered canyons everywhere, I've looked at clouds that way." Leonard Cohen's "Sisters of Mercy" is also a classic track. The bonus track that was the B-side of "Abraham," "Daddy Rollin'" is a howling burning rocker. The sound on this remastered version CD is excellent; and the material and Dion's beautiful voice make this well worth adding as essential from the 60s. Enjoy!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truth & Beauty you know the saying ... no where does it apply more, February 17, 2009

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God is Love & Happiness "True !!" (Cottswolds) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Abraham, Martin & John (Audio CD)

If I could give it 20 stars I would. His poetic expression leaves them all in the shade. Dion's humility and tenderness and the love he conveys in his heart will stump you. As the cover says it really is like the artist is having a private and beautiful converstaion with you. My god Dion was 28, a young fella when he recorded this - but the depth of his expression just moves my soul everytime I listen to this CD.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Beauty / Stark Realities, December 6, 2011

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J. Bynum (the southwest) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Abraham, Martin & John (Audio CD)

Dion / Dion, aka "Abraham Martin and John": The name of this album was simply, `Dion'. In 1968, The United States had torn itself apart and it had no one to blame but itself. America was in desperate need of healing. By 1968, Dion had already torn himself apart with addiction and he had no one to blame but himself. Dion was in desperate need of healing. After being away from the studio for a few years, Dion went in and recorded a simply arranged set of songs that are emotionally devastating and extraordinarily beautiful. This album offers no healing, but rather a simple reflection on where he, and we, stood at the time. Yet the album is far from feeling dated, its simplicity has made it timeless. Dion's cover of "Abraham Martin and John" is a true classic. This album, largely forgotten now, is a great recording. This album easily earns five stars. It is Highly Recommended. Dion recorded two albums that should be in every music lover's collection, and those two albums are as different as night and day: The first is `Runaround Sue' and the second is this album `Dion' (aka Abraham Martin and John).