Search - Dion & Belmonts :: Save the Last Dance for Me

Dion makes ten early rock & roll classics his own

Daniel Jolley | Shelby, North Carolina USA | 02/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you ask me, Dion is one of the most underrated singers in rock and roll history. The Dion songs you're likely to hear on the oldies radio stations these days (The Wanderer, Runaround Sue), while great songs in and of themselves, tend to belie the true talent of this singer. Sure, he was the greatest doo wop singer of them all, but he was also the king of the New York streets, a blues singer extraordinaire, and a man who could reach the very bottom of a teenager's broken heart with his passionate slow songs of love and loss. This particular collection from Dion and the Belmonts, Save the Last Dance For Me, is interesting because it consists of songs made famous by other singers. Normally, I don't care for covers, especially when the songs being covered are some of the greatest of the golden oldies era, but Dion was such a rare talent that he could sing someone else's song and make it sound as if it were written for him all along. Basically, all of these songs should be familiar to anyone with an interest in early rock and roll (but I won't be able to name the prominent artist for each of them). Come Go With Me is right down Dion's doo wop alley and makes for a great start. Bobby Vee made Take Good Care of My Baby famous, but Dion's version is just as good as the original. If your feet aren't moving by this point of the album, enter Queen of the Hop to get things - well, hopping. By now, it's time for a slower song from the heart, and P.S. I Love You fills the slot beautifully. But Dion still has loads of energy to spare and quickly pounds out a huskily impassioned version of Stagger Lee. I think Dion's version of Save the Last Dance For Me should be the standard version of the song, and I'm still amazed by the fact that I enjoy his version of Dream Lover more than Del Shannon's classic recording of it. I really love Teen Angel, especially the strong bass notes emanating from the famous Belmonts in the background. I have no idea how many artists in how many styles have recorded Kansas City; Dion's version is unique and restores much of the energy that seems to be sapped with every succeeding remake of the song. Of course, it's only right and proper than Dion should close things out with a slow song from the heart, and Fools Rush In serves as a perfect closing number on this short but immensely enjoyable album.These ten songs touch on a number of different musical styles and approaches, but Dion makes each song his very own; he doesn't just sing these songs, he recreates them in vintage Dion style, and that is why anyone who loves the music from the late 50s and early 60s should love Dion and get a big kick out of this wonderful collection of Dion covers."