Customer Reviews

Yo Frankie

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was supposed to be the big "comeback album" from one of the greatest musicians and vocalists of all time. Instead it got overlooked and underplayed as a "1950's hasbeen trying to get back to his glory" What is wrong with these people? Don't they know what got them there in the first place. I must admit that when I heard that Dion was putting out an album back in 1989 I thought to myself "what's with these 1950's guys? Don't they get it?" So for years I just ingored it. I'd see it in the store and pass it. Then one day I saw his video for "Written on Subway Walls" My jaw dropped. The following week I bought it and listened....and listened....and listened and eventually fell asleep because it was getting late. I couldn't put it down. Wow! Dion still has it. Even 17 years later "Yo Frankie" is still one of my favorites. And this is coming from a 35 year old who wasn't even born when Dion was hitting the charts. For those of you out there listening to Britney, Jessica, Justin or Hip Hop you better wake up and realize where it came from. Get this album and listen to some real music for once. Dion...you still rock!!

Dion is one of my all-time favorite "oldies" singers, and his efforts of more recent years (such as this 1989 album), though different from his old doo-wop days, are no less impressive. His voice has mellowed over the years, but the passion is still there, as is the old Dion swagger. King of the New York Streets is a bold and brassy musical expose, while Yo Frankie is another song seasoned by a bold sound. I've Got to Get to You and Loving You is Killing Me are somewhat formulaic, but Dion's great lyrics make them quite enjoyable and catchy. Always in the Rain and Tower of Love are softer tunes, really showcasing Dion's great vocals. Slow and sentimental characterizes the final track Serenade, which is really a beautiful song with touching, poetic lyrics. And the Night Stood Still and Always in the Rain are two of the best songs to be found here, infused with a steady beat that suits Dion's voice well, but the truly incredible song on this album is Written on the Subway Wall/Little Star. I feel that this song is as good as many of the old classics from Dion and the Belmonts, and the Little Star bridge creates a direct temporal link between the old days and the new.

Although I am too young to have heard Dion in his youthful prime, I have been a fan of his for many years now, and this album really made me wax nostalgic. Dion's lyrics contain traces of his own life's story and musical soul, and that gives them the type of power that few singers can boast of. It is important to make note of the talent that came together to produce this album, making evident how respected a singer Dion remains by others in the music industry. Bryan Adams, K.D. Lang, Lou Reed, Paul Simon, and Patty Smyth, among others, lend Dion their talents as backup vocalists. As talented as these folks are, in a way their contribution is unimportant because it is Dion alone who makes these songs as enjoyable as they all are. From doo-wop to crooning to blues to rock & roll, Dion has done it all, and we are all fortunate that he is continuing to do it long after his career fell into the shadows of the spotlight.

The best work Dion has done since the 60's. It will appeal to all who appreciate R 'n' R. It is NOT the old sound recycled. Even though it came out in 1989, it has fresh, rockin' tunes that will appeal to all age groups. The all-star backup crew includes Paul Simon, Dave Edmonds, Lou Reed, and Bryan Adams. Instrumentals are superb. Best songs: 'Always In The Rain', 'And The Night Stood Still', and 'Serenade'. This is a MUST! Dion's 'Rock 'n' Roll Christmas' should also be included in anyone's holiday collection.

I own original LP's and 45's of Dion and the Belmonts but when I purchased this I had no idea of how great a piece of work by Dion and all his guests artists this would be. Each song has a story (I would love to get the lyrics to this cd), and each arrangment is flawless. It makes you want to turn the radio up and let the world listen to music like it used to be, dynamic and romantic. Ever since I heard "I Wonder Why" by Dion and the Belmonts I knew this man was special. This CD may be the best keep secret in music. Dions music will live forever!

Back in 1989 I was into hard guitar-driven rock-and-roll. The harder the riffs, the better. One day, though, I was driving home from work and the local DJ intro'd a brand new song from Dion. My first thought was to switch channels but decided to listen. As "Written on a Subway Wall/Little Star" started I was mesmorized. I went out that night and purchased the cassette tape of "Yo Frankie". This has become one of my all-time favorites.

The collection in whole displays different styles that Dion seemed to be experimenting with. Starting off with a street-pounding song "King of the New York Streets" he follows that up with a pop song that got some radio airplay, "And the Night Stood Still", featuring background vocals from Patti Smyth of Scandal fame. My favorite here is the aforementioned "Subway Wall/Little Star". This song is a straight rocker with a side trip into an old 50's song, featuring Paul Simon. Other great works are "Loving You is Killing Me", an very upbeat dance song, and "Drive All Night", a neat little guitar-driven rocker.

I would HIGHLY recommend this for any music lover. If you're a Dion fan, I'm surprized you wouldn't have this already, but if you don't, don't hesitate. Grab it now. At the current price here it's a steal.

An album that I think has been greatly overlooked. Belongs high on the list of the greatest albums of all time.

If you haven't listened to Dion since the 60's you are in for a treat! What brought my attention to this was a video played on VH1, a video "Written On the Subway Wall". I recorded the video and loved it. Paul Simon appears, along with Lou Reed for this song. When I discovered the CD, I was amazed. Every song is wonderful, the musical rich with instruments, and his voice is like no other.

A favorite exercise workout song is "Gotta Get To You", it has a danceable drum beat. The lyrics are meaningful, the music is fun and with such passion and energy. Listen to "King of the New York Streets"; you immerse into the feel of those reminiscent streets. And, another excellent one is "Always in the Rain" a mid tempo ballad. Again, crank up the sound for a truly a great experience with a legend.

But for a taste of Dion and Doo Wop, please listen to Déjà Nu, clearly enjoyable. Then, try the entire collection 3-CD that reflects his career.King of the New York Streets. And a newer treat, excellent sound: Heroes: Giants of Early Guitar Rock

Dion releases an album like this in 1967 and he's bigger than Elvis. But it took the production and guitar of Dave Edmunds to showcase Dion's great voice in the perfect set of songs. This music is pop with a point and proof that radio today is absolutely unconcerned with great new music. Tom Waits' Serenade alone is worth the price of this disc and about half a dozen copies of the Best of Bruce Springsteen. Dion and Edmunds together are like Elvis and Scotty Moore or Ozzy and Iommi: great individually but classic together.

I would probably give this LP top rating specifically for the song Always In The Rain.A beautiful song that I could easily find myself singing along to.

this cd is simply one of the best efforts dion EVER recorded!from the first song to the last it is pure enjoyement to listen to dion sing all kinds of music, showing versatility that many of us never heard before. i highly reccomend this cd to anyone who truly enjoys the wonferful era of doowap&60's music!