Customer Reviews

Presenting Dion & the Belmonts/Runaround Sue

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From the beginning, in 1958, Dion & Belmonts were on two L.P.'s together,
and the in 1960 went their seperate ways.

The first four original L.P.'s are:
1. "Presenting Dion & the Belmonts", 1958.
2. "Wish upon a star" Dion & the Belmonts, 1960.
3. "Alone, with Dion", 1960.
4, "Runaround Sue" Dion, 1961.

This twofer C.D. contains the re-issue of the FIRST & FORTH of those albums.
(Ace has the SECOND & THIRD together on another twofer)
These FOUR albums contain every single release, plus the B-side of each,
up to the point of where "Lovers who wander", (the fifth album) starts in 1962.

THIS c.d. is the exact 12 tracks of each L.P. plus,
Plus 2 extra tracks per L.P which then provide all A and B sides.

"Presenting Dion & the Belmonts"
The two EXTRA tracks are --
1. "Teen Angel" the B-side of "I wonder why", their first charted song, in 1958.
2. "I can't go on (Rosalie)" the B-side of "No one knows", their second charted song, in 1958.

"Runaround Sue".
The two EXTRA tracks are --
1. "I'm gonna make it somehow"
2. "Could somebody take my place tonight"

"PRESENTING DION & the BELMONTS" is the first 14 tracks,
and includes the first 4 songs Dion & the Belmonts had chart,
then skips 2 releases, and includes their 7th song to chart.

"RUNAROUND SUE" is the last 14 tracks,
and includes the 3 songs that charted from that album,
there was only 1 B-side, and it's here.
But there have been 6 charted songs skipped between where "Presenting" left off,
and "Runaround Sue" picks up.
(because they're on the twofer by Ace that combines their SECOND & THIRD albums)

Even though only eight of the 28 tracks here are stereo,
this c.d. has excellent sound quality.
The music has been transfered from original analogue master tapes,
by Ace Records, U.K., licensed from Capitol Records, in 2000.

Included in a ten page booklet are pictures of the front and back of the original L.P. covers,
and shows the center paper of the vinyl record with the original track listing.
Plus several other pictures of the group, and Dion.

This is a great C.D. with early Dion & the Belmonts and/or Dion solo L.P.'s.
All original recordings, this is enjoyable back to back listening pleasure.

Ace Records did a great job cleaning up the sound on the material from Laurie Records. Both albums originally contained 12 tracks each. On Presenting Dion & the Belmonts, Ace added the b-sides of the great I Wonder Why (Teen Angel) and No One Knows (...Rosalie) making a good album much better. Any album that contains I Wonder Why, A Teenager in Love, Where or When and That's My Desire is a good album. On the Runaround Sue album from 1961 the added tracks are Could Somebody Take My Place Tonight and So Long Friend. On the number 1 single Runaround Sue and number 2 single The Wanderer from 1961 Dion used the Del Satins as as his backing vocal group for the first time. The Del Satins didn't like the two songs at the time. Dion used the Del Satins on almost his tracks on Laurie and Columbia including all his eight solo top ten hits from late 1961 through 1963. Sue was the first charting LP of his career and highest charting at #11. Dion and the Belmonts split in mid 1960. Dion had a big hit with Lonely Teenager in late 1960. From then until the Sue single in late 1961 Dion had several flops that didn't make the top 40. With Sue and Wanderer Dion found his sound. On the Sue album Kansas City features Dion's first electric guitar solo on record. Dion was the first artist to record Take Good Care of My Baby. Sue is a good album leading to an even better album Lovers Who Wander in 1962. If you like late 50s/early 60s rock & roll this CD should be in your collection.

"Teen Angel", "Teenage in Love", "Runaround Sue", "Dream Lover", "Take Good Care of My Baby", and "The Wanderer" all on the same disc. Holy Moly, rock and roll does not get any better than this. I shouldn't have to say any more about this record, that says it all. But there is more, there's "Life is But a Dream" and Dion's version of "Little Star".

"Presenting Dion and the Belmonts" came out in 1959, "Runaround Sue", in 1961, so I could have placed it on my 1959 or 1961 list. I chose here. These record go together so well, you'd almost think they were recorded back to back.

Jeez, I almost forget to mention my favorite song on the record, "Ruby Baby". I used to sing that all the time about a lot of different girls. Sadly, back in 1959, none of them wanted to be mine.

This Record is Number 9 on my list of the Best Thirteen Records of 1959.

There you are, you and the guys, sitting in Sal's pizzeria, mozzarella dripping down your chin. Then,in walks Judy Capano, hottest chick in the school; three of her cheerleader friends are with her.
You're thinking, 'the night just can't get any better'.
But,suddenly,someone drops a dime in the juke box and there it is! That unmistakable Belmont harmony with Dion lamenting the loss of still yet another girl!
You and the guys have to sing along. Judy and her friends smile.
They're impressed; you guys ain't bad.
You're not exactly Dion & The Belmonts, but you're okay.
Sound great? You bet it does!.
And that's what "Presenting Dion & The Belmonts/Runaround Sue" is all about: Great sounds and Great moments you'll want to remember all your life.