Dion - Deja Nu (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

The best of the best always endure

same | DeSoto, Tx USA | 08/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dion continues to prove that he's a rare talent. Who else could generate such excitement for a NEW album that takes us back 40 years? Along with Dion's distinctive "fine as aged wine" voice, you hear traces of Chuck Berry (Hug My Radiator), Hughey "Piano" Smith (You Move Me and Hey Suzy), and countless streetcorner doowoppers on the ballads. This fine collection of songs is a throwback to the days when R&R was simpler - and arguably, more enjoyable. Although many of the other reviewers seem to prefer Dion's softer side (In NY City, Shu Bop, Book of Dreams) - and I enjoy these songs too - my favorites are the uptempo Hug My Radiator, Ride With You, Hey Suzy and the bluesy If You Wanna Rock & Roll. Every Day (That I'm With You) fits somewhere in the middle and may be the most pleasing song of all. Whatever your taste, Dion's Deja Nu is a fine collection of songs that take you back in time while keeping you in the present. Buy it and pop it in your cassette or CD changer the next time you go for a ride. I'm sure you'll agree that it passes all the tests for a great album."

Another side of Dion with musically and danceable doo wop!

Rizzo | Denver, CO | 04/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you haven't heard Dion in years, give this CD a try, his voice is superb quality, you will be surprised! After hearing his 1989 release "Yo Frankie", I was surprised and very much pleased to hear this newer release, "Deja Nu". If YOU can only recall hearing Dion on oldies radio stations, you owe yourself another peek into this man's fabulous voice and musical talent!!!

Re-introduce yourself to this man with the very unique, powerful vocal style, and enjoyable music.

This CD is fantabulous! The musicians are top-of-the-line. Backup singers enhance greatly. Listen to the way he vocalizes so many different notes that sound so different.

"Deja Nu" features the popular "Shu Bop", a finger-poppin' swingin, happy doo wop tune. "Shu Bop" is called the Lost Track. It was written for the movie "The Wanderer."

Dion sings two of Bruce Springsteen's tunes, "If I Should Fall Behind" and "Book of Dreams". "Every Day that I'm With You" is written as a reflection of his friendship with Buddy Holly. This ballad is so enjoyable.

"You Move Me" a rock and roll fast tune about, what else but money, girls, cars, music. ......you move me to action, it's as simple as that!

If this man is one of the favorites of some of the BEST, Lou Reed, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Billy Joel, Waylon Jennings, you, too, need to hear him again!

"Deja Nu" is one of his best, but try Yo Frankie it is exceptional. And watch this on DVD. I love it. Live in Concert .....MzRizz"

Wow! What more can I say?

Doug Schenker | 07/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard cuts from this album on WCBS FM101.1 this past weekend (during their several hour long interview with Dion) - and I ran out and bought it right away. Four tracks on the album are absolutely fabulous. "Shu Bop", "In New York City" and the two Bruce Springsteen songs - "If I Should Fall Behind" and "Book Of Dreams" are all songs that make this album worth buying. I am glad to see Dion is still out there making great & worthwhile music, and hope that this album spurs some more mainstream interest in the great music of yesteryear. Also, kudos to Collectables for taking the chances on marketing such a great album."

A Soundtrack Without a Movie

Doug Schenker | Annapolis, MD | 09/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many singers that have been in the business as long as Dion loose some of their range. As Dion ages his voice has gotten better. Most of the songs on this album were written for a movie based on Dion's autobiography that Chaz Palmenteri was writing with Dion's help. Last I heard Chaz was still trying to get the financing together. The last song, the stunning acapella "If I Should Fall Behind" (written by Bruce Springsteen) is from the 1992 Dion album Dream on Fire and was added to the US release of Deja Nu at Collectable Records request. Dion also performs another Springsteen song "Book of Dreams". Both of these songs are from Springsteen's Lucky Town album. Dion makes both songs his own. Nine of the other ten songs were written or co-written by Dion. The songs are recorded the way songs were recorded in the late 50s and early 60s. Dion wrote "Shu Bop" standing on a corner of Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. It sounds like it came from the same session as Dion's 1962 top ten hit "Love Came to Me". "Hug My Radiator" was started in 1959 on the Winter Part Party tour bus. Dion opted for the bus when Buddy Holly offered him a place on the plane. The song was finished in the 1990s. My favorite song on this album is "Everyday (That I'm With You)". In a fair world it would be a hit in the year 2000. A friend has tried to categorize each of Dion's tunes, over the years, as pop or rock or blues or gospel. I told him the only way to categorize Dion's music is as a hybrid of Hank Williams country, street corner doowop, folk, R&B and blues all with an edge. You'll be singing along. The backing vocals throughout the album are just right. The band is perct. Dion rocks!"

Good effort by Dion

clay thompson | usa | 09/09/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Good effort by Dion who is my favorite R & R artist since the fifties (yeah, I'm that old). Best takes are "Shu Bop,""In New York City,""Book of Dreams,"and "Every Day" although none of them was quite the show stopper as say "Written on the Subway Walls" on his 1989 Yo Frankie CD. Here I must quibble on two points. One - "If I Should Fall Behind" (great track) is advertised as only on this CD, however, it is also on his 1992 Dream on Fire CD. In addition, "You Move Me" (different version) may be found on his 1997 double CD Road I'm On. Always feel a bit ripped off when that happens. Secondly, Dion can pen a good song, but more often than not his works can be too similar e.g. "Ride with You,""Makin' My Heart Go Boom,"or "Hey Suzy." On the other hand, when he works with Bill Tuohy and others, some of that stuff is truly special:"Subway Walls,""Higher Than Heaven,""What's That Sound" (past efforts) or "Radiator" and "New York City" (current). Also, his interpretations of Dylan (past) and Springsteen (past and current) should make those legends wish they had Dion's pipes. Last note - saw Dion in the 70's in O.C., MD and in the late 80's at a local church during his contemporary Christian phase. Some singers lose it over time. It seems Dion has lost very little if at all."

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